It is interesting and inspiring to trace the thought of God's government throughout the Bible. We have in the record of spiritual creation, in the first chapter of Genesis, the first command of God, "Let there be light: and there was light;" and with this light, or understanding, God's creation was revealed as perfect and complete, expressing only good. We find God speaking and revealing His law in all ages to those whose thought is pure enough to receive it. The patriarchs talked with God. At other times He revealed His purpose to them in various ways that they could understand. Moses, the Hebrew leader, frequently communed with God throughout his life; and it is recorded of him at the close of his earthly mission that "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." This, obviously, was the result of his communion with God. To Moses were revealed the Ten Commandments, which to-day form the basis of the governments of the most enlightened nations and the foundation of their just laws.

The children of Israel, when obeying the Ten Commandments, were directly governed by God; and this form of government continued up to the time of Samuel. Through the thoughts of the prophets, the men of God, the more enlightened method of human procedure was from time to time revealed to the children of Israel. Samuel was the last of these seers before the advent of the kings.

In the twelfth chapter of I Samuel is a record of Samuel's reasoning with the children of Israel, where he shows them clearly how God had prospered them when they turned to Him, and how, when they turned away from Him to their own strength and human outlining, their enemies were successful over them; and he goes on to point out, "Ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king." Saul became their king; and from that time to the time of Christ Jesus the Hebrews, as a people, looked principally to a human ruler. Jesus came reiterating the teachings of Moses, turning the thoughts of men away from a sense of material government to the rule of Spirit, bringing to heartsick humanity an understanding of God's eternal law and revealing man as the image and likeness of God and under God's law. Jesus came in an age of dense materialism. Mrs. Eddy expresses this and contrasts his teaching with his times on page 473 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in these words: "In an age of ecclesiastical despotism, Jesus introduced the teaching and practice of Christianity, affording the proof of Christianity's truth and love." Had Jesus bowed to the desire of the Jews that he become their king, they would not have cried out for his crucifixion. That, however, would have annulled his teaching that men must become pure and receptive to Truth, even as the thought of the child, so as to perceive and follow God's directing law. He himself demonstrated God's government in every detail of his life, even to his final victory over all material conditions, in the resurrection and ascension.

To this age, through the spiritually receptive thought of Mary Baker Eddy, have again been revealed, in Science and Health, these same truths. To-day Christian Science is turning the thought of mankind to these vital facts as the only way of salvation from all the problems of our presentday civilization, from sin, disease, and death. Christian Science is based on the Commandments and Christ Jesus' teachings; and is reestablishing the Christ-healing, showing mankind the way to heaven, harmony, through spiritual understanding.

As God revealed to Moses the Ten Commandments, which gave to the children of Israel the basis for an orderly form of government, so to our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, was revealed the way for the orderly establishment of the Christian Science organization. Included in her complete revelation is the Manual of The Mother Church. In speaking of the rules and By-laws contained in the Manual, our Leader says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 148): "They were impelled by a power not one's own, were written at different dates, and as the occasion required. They sprang from necessity, the logic of events,—from the immediate demand for them as a help that must be supplied to maintain the dignity and defense of our Cause; hence their simple, scientific basis, and detail so requisite to demonstrate genuine Christian Science, and which will do for the race what absolute doctrines destined for future generations might not accomplish."

Each By-law of the Manual covers some specific need in the church organization; and by careful study it must be applied to the need, whatever it may be. And Church problems are but the needs of its members. The Manual of The Mother Church is unique in the history of the world; and as time goes on its place in the government of nations will be more clearly seen. Even Christian Scientists are only beginning to realize what it means in the way of government. Obedience to the Manual has two results in the experience of the student: first, as he adjusts his thinking in obedience thereto, self-government becomes a fact in every detail of his life, irrespective of his surrounding circumstances; then is realized that this Christianly scientific self-government is direct government by God. Our Leader expresses it thus in Science and Health (p. 106): "Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love."

In Article VIII, Section 1, we are also given rules for the "Guidance of Members." The daily study of these rules, accompanied by obedience thereto, clears out the debris of human thinking; it eliminates every personal consideration, allowing divine Principle to point the way; it unfolds in thought and experience the way to growth, health, abundance, and harmony. The understanding gained from the use of the Daily Prayer (Sect. 4) has a very special significance at the present time; for its use is bringing into our experience a realization of the brotherhood of men and nations, making war impossible, because we are learning to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Through diligent searching of the Word of God, consecrated study of the Bible and of our Leader's writings, including our textbook with its "Key" to the Scriptures, and obedience to each By-law of the Church Manual, it is possible for each and every one to gain this greatly desired gift from God, communion with the Father, as in the experience of Moses, when "the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." Not since the days of Samuel has the thought of any people turned so directly and completely to God for guidance as the thought of the student of Christian Science is turning to Him to-day. Through the Manual, the belief of personal domination is being abolished; and we are given an order of human procedure which does not obstruct spiritual growth, but guides our foot-steps Godward, until self-immolation through spiritual understanding is gained, and God's ever present government comes clearly to light.