Do you ever think of yourself as a civilization builder? Tomorrow's history isn't yet written; whether it says of our time that civilization advanced or declined does depend on us.

Today the role of the family can be particularly significant. While historically there have been instances where marriage is bypassed, the regular family of mother, father, and children profits by Christian law in its moral provision for marriage. As long as progeny continue to come because of the relationship of two individuals, legitimate family relationship is important in building civilization. Of course, if the family is to serve this purpose, it must be solidly based, or whole, with family members building up, not tearing down, each other.

Whether one is living within the framework of a regular family of parents and children or not, his attitude toward—and prayers regarding—the harmony and progress of the family are vitally important. To make the family one of the building blocks of civilization, we must start with the highest, most encompassing vision of family—the spiritual vision. Also, we must be willing to work for a purer family relationship right where we are. And what is the spiritual vision of family? Isn't it that which is of the fatherhood and motherhood of God, "of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named"? ^{Eph. 3:15;} A recent newspaper article, headed "The family—alive and kicking," observes, "Only 13 per cent of the population lives apart from a familial bond—priests and nuns, those living in boarding houses and communes, single senior citizens, and young adults living alone." ^{Chicago Tribune, July 24, 1979;}

The vast majority, then, at least in the United States, are living within "a familial bond." As heartening as that may sound to a nation much acquainted with the despairing cry that the family has broken down, almost everyone has firsthand experience that the "familial bond" deserves both purifying and strengthening.

A more spiritual view of that which binds us together is needed. One might say that the clearest vision of such a bond on earth is encompassed in Paul's inspired words to the Romans concerning the Christian Church: "We, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." ^{Rom. 12:5;}

So, too, can all family members learn to be "members one of another," whether the family they are involved in is a family built around marriage, a business family, a community family, or the whole family of mankind.

Essential to practicing unity within the family of mankind in any of its units is the gaining of a spiritual understanding of man as God's idea. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Man, as the idea or image and likeness of the infinite God, is a compound, complex idea or likeness of the infinite one, or one infinite, whose image is the reflection of all that is real and eternal in infinite identity." ^{The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 239;}

While the regular family of father, mother, and children needs primary attention, devotion to it is not incompatible with devotion to others outside it, even familylike groups. These interests, well served, can benefit both the individual and his "families."

Recognizing our true bond of unity with each other and acting in the involved, helpful way associated with family relationships and responsibilities is an answer to the narcissistic self-love that characterized so much of the seventies. Demonstrations of our spiritual unity may have varying implications for the familial bond. It is interesting that the loved scriptural statement "God setteth the solitary in families" is followed in the same verse by, "he bringeth out those which are bound with chains." ^{Ps. 68:6;}

There may be times when the staying of a member within the familial bond does not forward the right kind of family solidarity. This is often a time of heartbreak, certainly one of disappointment—when marriage partners separate; when a parent can no longer support a son or daughter without supporting a drug habit or criminal involvement; when parental domination or family ties and traditions are so rigid that a family member is threatened with loss of identity, having to participate in actions and express attitudes antithetical to his own.

There may be tears even when the emerging from a particular familial bond is not an escape from bondage but a legitimate step of progress. Both shifts in human relationships are blessed by the larger, spiritual view of the family of man.

This larger view, while it purifies, also demands action for day-by-day cultivating of family solidarity right where we are.

Is there not within the reach of the willingness of each one of us, right now, opportunity to further the interests and share the responsibilities of a member of the group we consider our family? As interests and responsibilities coalesce, objectives which may have been tangential or even at cross-purposes will begin to realign and bond together.

The resultant cohesion in a family, biological or otherwise, not only serves mankind and helps shore up civilization against decline; it also serves God.

While it is axiomatic that serving one God draws mankind closer together, it is equally true that through drawing closer together in pure affection we better serve our God. "The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity," ^{Science and Health, p. 571.} writes our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, in the Christian Science textbook.

For many, this goal has brought healing, enabling them to make the sacrifices required to purify and cultivate family solidarity—whatever the family unit—even before tasting the sweet reward of unity.

BEULAH M. ROEGGE