Young people in schools and colleges who are studying the history of their own country, and of other countries, are looking out on world happenings of the present time with particular interest. They recognize that the world today is very much troubled over the question of right government. The few powerful democracies are clinging courageously and steadfastly to the ideals of government which have been evolved through patient growth in self-control and true freedom. Other countries are turning away from democratic tendencies, and are once more pinning their faith to a belief in so-called benevolent despotism.

To Christian Scientists, including the young people who are beginning to think of these problems, the issues are plain as far as their own conclusions are concerned. They claim as inalienable their right to observe and to decide what is nearer right, on the basis of their understanding of Christian Science. Christian Science plainly teaches that the domination of one human mind by another can in the end lead only to chaos and to the disintegration of character. Throughout the centuries men have been struggling for freedom to act and worship as they thought fit and right, and many in the past have left their homes and their native lands for other shores because such freedom was threatened or denied.

Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 225), "The despotic tendencies, inherent in mortal mind and always germinating in new forms of tyranny, must be rooted out through the action of the divine Mind." Christian Science enables all to come to correct decisions by basing their reasoning on Truth. It teaches them what Truth really is—God, Mind, Principle, Love. It shows the true government in that it states that man in reality is controlled only by his Maker, God. So as men learn self-control and self-government in accordance with the demands of Principle, they are learning to subordinate themselves wholly to good, and are submitting to the government of Spirit.

Even while we are still students at school or university, we can be ready to learn that it is never wise to yield one's mentality to the guidance of erring human mind, no matter what promises of easy living are held out to one. No matter how hard the way of independent thinking may seem to be, it is the only way in which men can become truly free. Paul, referring to the freedom bestowed by Spirit, says, "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." This does not mean that men should not be obedient to the laws of the country in which they find themselves, or that they should refuse to serve that country or those to whom they are bound by legitimate human ties, in any and every right way. It does mean that men shall preserve their freedom of judgment and of speech in accordance with their highest sense of right and of God.

It often seems easier these days "to go with the crowd," to accept the rulings of the majority without much thought. Sometimes these rulings are good and right, but unless those who accept them and obey them understand the reasons for them, and some of the main facts on which they are based, their acquiescence is not entirely intelligent or discriminating. What, for example, do we think of persons who sign their names to documents which they have never read?

The Christian Scientist in considering every question begins with God and endeavors to choose the way that he thinks most nearly approaches Principle. He thinks for himself, according to his understanding of Principle, and is guided, not by expediency, self-interest, or worldly motives, but by what he reasons is nearest to the sincere and honest and loving thing to do. Enlightened by his study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbooks, he takes long views and is not deceived by the specious arguments which error clothes in winning phrases, promising all kinds of good for tomorrow if only the bars of a too high standard are let down for today. If he holds to what Christian Science teaches, he is never found in the role of persecutor, for he permits others the same liberty of thought and action which under God he claims for himself. On page 226 of Science and Health, our Leader writes: "God has built a higher platform of human rights, and He has built it on diviner claims. These claims are not made through code or creed, but in demonstration of 'on earth peace, good-will toward men.' Human codes, scholastic theology, material medicine and hygiene, fetter faith and spiritual understanding. Divine Science rends asunder these fetters, and man's birthright of sole allegiance to his Maker asserts itself."

In absolute reality the erring human mind has no existence, for God is All and creation is His infinite manifestation. Starting with this premise, the Christian Scientist finds that it is possible to combat the claims of injurious mental domination and to prove that the promise in Revelation, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne," is capable of fulfillment through attainment of spiritual understanding. In the words of Mrs. Eddy (ibid., pp. 517, 518): "Man is not made to till the soil. His birthright is dominion, not subjection. He is lord of the belief in earth and heaven,—himself subordinate alone to his Maker. This is the Science of being."