JUSTICE VERSUS INJUSTICE

LLOYD B. COATE.

In the Christian Science text-book we read: "Justice is the moral signification of law. Injustice declares the absence of law" (Science and Health, p. 391). This declaration of truth is applicable to every condition of human need. It is a reiteration of the golden rule given by Christ Jesus: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." This rule is the only basis of solution for the great question between capital and labor.

The moral signification of law demands justice on the part of the employer to the employee, and vice versa. This law is just as binding upon the housewife as upon the corporation employing thousands of men, for the law of justice is the law of right. It is a divine statute which forbids us to oppress "the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right." The Mosaic law says: "Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates." The Manual of The Mother Church is a monitor of justice, admonishing its followers to be just to God, just to our divine Exemplar, Christ Jesus; just to our cause and our beloved Leader; just between man and man; just in church associations; just with student and patient. This law of justice is embodied in one of the church tenets: "We solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure" (Ibid., p. 497).

Our Leader refers to the justice of compensation when she says (Sentinel, Jan. 1, 1910), "Christian Science practitioners should make their charges for treatment equal to those of reputable physicians in their respective localities." The Church Manual forbids any injustice in charges; forbids a practitioner to sue a patient for his services, and asserts "he shall reasonably reduce his price in chronic cases of recovery, and in cases where he has not effected a cure." It defines a loyal Christian Scientist as "a humanitarian; he is benevolent, forgiving, long-suffering, and seeks to overcome evil with good" (Art. VIII., Sect. 22). Mrs. Eddy healed the poor without price and instructed some of them in Christian Science, thus setting an example for her followers. Yet, had there not been a sense of justice toward her by some of the beneficiaries of Christian Science, the cause she founded could not have reached its present growth. Mrs. Eddy has inaugurated every step of advancement in furthering the cause of Christian Science, and without just remuneration for her services she would not have been able to establish the stately operations of Christian Science as it is known to the world today.

Much is expected of the Christian Science practitioner in establishing the cause of Christian Science in his own locality. Truly, his work is a labor of love for the uplifting of humanity, and many practitioners give freely of their time in helping the poor. The writer is acquainted with practitioners who give one half or more of their time to work for the needy, for which they receive nothing except the joy which comes from doing good. There are many, too, who have consecrated their lives to God, and have given up everything to work in the Master's vineyard, healing the sick and reforming the sinner, as Christ commanded through Christian Science; therefore it is just and right that those seeking help should make proper return for such services, if in a position to do so.

Jesus defined the law of justice in this respect when he said, "The laborer is worthy of his hire." Paul says, "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" We need to be watchful lest we forget the moral sense of justice, and the great wrong of injustice in all the affairs of life. There is a sense of justice due all who serve, whether in the church or in the shop. Justice implies gratitude; injustice, ingratitude. Injustice prevents an honest acknowledgment of benefits received. Justice is always willing to count its blessings. Injustice finds fault; justice is appreciative of any labor of love. Injustice tends to impoverish and leads to selfishness; justice enriches and leads in the way of righteousness. Injustice would limit the Holy One of Israel; justice finds divine Love an ever-present help in need. Injustice withholds; justice remembers the Lord with the first fruits.

Justice never forgets its benefactor; injustice stabs him in the back. Justice anointed Jesus with the precious ointment; injustice betrayed the Master with a kiss. Justice is the law of righteousness, honesty, truthfulness; injustice is unrighteousness, dishonesty, and falsehood. Injustice would hold God responsible for sin, sickness, and death; justice, as expressed in Christian Science, declares God not to be the author of any form of evil, but the deliverer from sin, sickness, and death. Injustice leads mankind to submit to unjust laws regarding disease; justice [Science] enables men to assert their God-given right of dominion over such conditions.

Mrs. Eddy, through her wonderful text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," is opening the eyes of mankind to a higher sense of justice, and it necessarily follows that, as mankind grasp a clearer idea of God, injustice and oppression of every name and nature, resulting from false law, will be destroyed. Science and Health (p. 228) says: "The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses. Mortals will some day assert their freedom in the name of Almighty God. Then they will control their own bodies through the understanding of divine Science."

Since the publication of the Christian Science text-book, each year has witnessed a higher sense of justice. It is a source of gratitude to know that encyclopædias and biographical works ascribe to Mrs. Eddy the honor and justice which is her due as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

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