THE PURPOSE OF DEMOCRACY

GRACE B. TOWNSEND.

The thoughtful observer of the times will ask as the question of today, What is the form of church government most consistent with the teaching and practice of Christian Science, and why is it so? An answer to the first question is given by the by-law of The Mother Church which states that "each branch church shall be distinctly democratic in its government" (Article XXIII, Section 10); but it contains no statement of why such should be the form. Respecting our place in the world, our Leader says, "The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death" (Science and Health, p. 450). Just so far as we elevate and purify every material situation with which we have to deal, to that degree will we hasten the day when the material structure, whatever it may be, will give place to the spiritual fact. It behooves us, therefore, as thoughtful Christian Scientists, to consider what is the contribution to the world of our church organization?

It is necessary here that we keep clearly in mind the meaning of the word democracy. It is derived from the Greek demos, people, and kratein, to rule, or be strong; hence it is a "government by the people; a system of government in which the sovereign power of the state is vested in the people as a whole, and is exercised directly by them or their elected agents" (Century dictionary). A republic, on the other hand, is "a government in which the executive power is vested in a person or persons chosen directly or indirectly by the body of citizens entitled to vote" (Century dictionary); a government, therefore, in which the people do not directly exercise their strength.

In securing a charter the church becomes legally a corporation, and the form of organization usually convenient for corporations and so adopted by them is similar to that of a republic. It therefore becomes the duty of every Christian Scientist to see to it that the organization of the church is managed along democratic lines. For one thing, he is not to delegate the entire power to an executive body, but to keep the church body strong. In acting from this basis, he uncovers and destroys the mental suggestion which says that personal power gives pleasure and is legitimate; he will cease to desire to see the weaker swallowed up and the ambitious exalted; and he will be watchful not to imitate in system and detail a merely human method of doing business. Thus as he progresses he will begin to realize that the true organization seeks to "construct or modify so as to exhibit or subserve vital processes" (Century dictionary). Let us understand what this vital process in Christian Science must be. It is the continued and continuous realization of man's oneness with the Father and of his inherent power to do perfectly all that comes to him to do. There is but one form of organization known to humanity today which is ideal enough to fill in any sense a demand so lofty. It is that of pure democracy, and thus is the reason for our Leader's choice made clear.

Here we pause with gratitude to count the blessings which this true democracy gives to us. The man and the woman, the experienced and the inexperienced, the teacher and the student, work side by side, equally interested, equally respected. All in humility, but with serious purpose, know that it is their duty to fit themselves spiritually for any office which the church may have,—for becoming a member of its board of directors, for president or reader; and all do it naturally, without pride, as a boy or girl goes from year to year to a continually advancing class. Each takes his place in the meeting, each is free to express his own conviction, each grows more self-reliant, cares less to follow the opinion of another, and is in consequence less open to outside influence. Through frank but serious discussion, through different points of view, through calm, impersonal consideration of vital issues, the individual thought grows in strength and understanding and is more fit both to govern and to be governed. Such meetings, even though widely differing views may be expressed (granted they are honest), do not argue lack of unity, but rather a normal, healthy growth and legitimate thirst for the experience which leads to understanding. At the same time, when any specific matter is decided by vote of church-members, it becomes the sacred privilege of the minority loyally to support the majority and thus fulfil the golden rule.

Step by step through the perfect freedom of democratic rule is the aim of Christian Science in part fulfilled, and the truth permeates and uplifts every act of the true Christian Scientist. Less and less does his thought turn toward outward organization, more and more toward God and the understanding of His will. Thus is he helping the world to see that organization is a "suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness," while being healed himself of any belief in the power of a merely material structure or organization to bless. Thus and thus only will he prove that "the church, more than any other institution, at present is the cement of society, and it should be the bulwark of civil and religious liberty;" thus will he do his part to bring about the day when, as Mrs. Eddy goes on to say, "the religious element, or Church of Christ, shall exist alone in the affections, and need no organization to express it" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 144).

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