Christian Science lets in the light of divine Mind upon human affairs through correct reasoning based upon divine Principle as underlying all cause and effect, thus bringing out in logical sequence the necessary steps to be taken. Error, on the other hand, through incorrect reasoning based upon the supposition of life, intelligence, and substance in matter, struggles to hold human affairs under the domination and control of the adversary, or that which would hinder and oppose the advance of truth in the human consciousness. The pretentious arguments projected through this false line of reasoning would attempt to lure thought away from the recognition of divine law and order and endeavor to separate man and the universe from right operation in Principle. It therefore follows that if results are to be held in line with the divine process of unfoldment and fulfilment, reasoning must be held unwaveringly in line with divine Mind unobstructed by human opinions and influence.

Experience teaches that in proportion as we look away from God for supply, wisdom, enlightenment, guidance, these are necessarily lost sight of, as they diminish in the ratio of their distance from the divine source. At no time, therefore, should there be a clearer call for vigilance and alertness than in the election of church officers, as many temptations having as their object the enforcement of human methods and the exercise of human rather than divine control are apt to present themselves.

One of the arguments frequently presenting itself at this time is that one has not been a member of the church very long, hence does not know for whom to vote. The correct solution of a mathematical problem involves unhesitating acceptance of the fact that it must be sought according to a rule and order based upon an underlying mathematical law. Even so should the solution of every problem be sought by the Christian Scientist in divine Principle, which reveals the law and order of spiritual reasoning as being intact. This lets in the light, holding results in line with good, whereas the human reason acting through human opinions can yield nothing but its own darkness. God, divine Mind, alone can enlighten ignorance, as God alone is the source of wisdom. In the light of this understanding the one point to be considered in this problem is the protection of man's God-given ability to act in accordance with divine Principle by keeping thought free from everything which would tend to delay the manifestation of God's spiritual government.

A person may think that it is easier and wiser to ask one of experience for whom to vote than to work patiently and persistently under the direction of Principle by holding the problem in line with correct reasoning and under law and order. It is necessary to discern that back of this temptation lies the argument of more faith in man than in God, more faith in the human than in the divine directing. This argument, if listened to, would shut out God's government from consciousness by holding thought in line with human reasoning, which, devoid as it is of a correct premise, holds within itself no correct conclusion. Those inquired of may have worked faithfully, and the conclusion at which they have arrived may be a wise one, but in the ratio of each individual departure from the correct process of unfoldment, every seeking for enlightenment under the human rather than the divine directing is a solution of one's problem which is held out of the line of light and so is open to the attack of the adversary through the door of human influence.

The older members of a branch church may be tempted to think that they know more about a given question than the younger brethren, hence that it is in no wise erroneous for them to give out their opinion and freely share with others the result of a wider experience. It would be well to silence the adversary with the question, "Shall mortal man be more just than God?" and when freedom from the exaltation of mortal selfhood is obtained, to heed the command, "Strengthen thy brethren." In the light of this corrective reasoning we may turn thought to God in quiet humility, silence human will, and abide in consecrated obedience to and gratitude for the clear line of the spiritual deducement of facts revealed through the teaching of Christian Science.

The broader one's experience the wider is the opportunity to look through and reject every temptation to interfere with our brother's God-given privilege to act in line with this revelation. Clearer too is the call to stand as faithful watchers at the posts of the doors, allowing no thought outside of law to register itself without turning the inquirer in the right direction, toward divine Principle, the one and only source of all true enlightenment. Human plans bring human result; divine plans bring divine results. We submit to the first through the influence of person rather than Principle; the latter unfold with the laying aside of sense and self and the endeavor to blend thought with the spiritual.

There is never a need in our work as Christian Scientists which has not its solution clearly stated in the books of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. The Manual of The Mother Church contains instructions for every problem arising in our duty as church members. In the ratio that each member earnestly studies and applies Section 1 of Article VIII at the time of the election of officers, and holds thought unshaken in this line of light, will results be held under the protection of divine law, bringing out the manifestation of the inner glory, imbued with the light of divine Mind. Obedience to the law and order therein contained will bring us nearer to the comprehension and demonstration of democratic government.

True democracy can be gained only as church members turn as one body with one accord to God, seeking wisdom, inspiration, enlightenment, from Him alone. There is no other way by which church affairs may be held in the line of light, giving freedom from human monopoly, self-interest, self-will, ambition, human opinions, human prejudice, and human influence, all of which are erroneous in proportion as they depart from the direct line of Principle.

Let us then heed the Master's injunction, when he says, "If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light,"—the church animated by a single purpose, having a fervent love for Principle. We shall thus guard against every attempt of the adversary to separate us from Love, who is the source of every right activity, and whose sole demand is faithfulness to law. Entrenched in the recognition of this great fact, "when the winds of God blow," as Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 201), "we shall not hug our tatters" of material belief, but we shall be, as Paul exhorts, "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment," and the government of Truth and Love shall reign supreme over all the earth.