Freedom has always been a cherished ideal in human experience. The constitutions of many countries are framed around the thought that the expression of this ideal should he available to all. Many governments are planned so that freedom from undesirable impositions, restrictions, persecutions, and fears is guaranteed, and freedom is provided for each individual to act in the way his conscience dictates.

Christian Science extends our concept of freedom. Freedom from restriction and imposition is a step beyond the usual implication of the word. Science teaches that man is not a mortal, dependent upon the whims of chance for his security and happiness, but that he is spiritual, made in the image and likeness of God, and has dominion over all the earth. His freedom, then, is divinely established. It is his by reflection, by virtue of his relationship with his supreme and infinite creator. The Psalmist recognized this and said, "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet." ^{Ps. 8:6;}

Christ Jesus proved man's dominion by bringing comfort to the needy and healing to the sick, the blind, and the lame. And practicing Christian Scientists the world over are proving in ever-increasing measure man's freedom from everything unlike God: freedom from fear, anger, lack, sickness, sensuality, and countless other would-be impositions of materiality.

Mrs. Eddy writes, "God expresses in man the infinite idea forever developing itself, broadening and rising higher and higher from a boundless basis." ^{Science and Health, p. 258;} The understanding of this gives one unlimited scope for action. It becomes one's privilege and duty to manifest in daily life such Godlike qualities as intelligence, kindness, gentleness, orderliness, integrity, humility, and holiness.

The perfect relationship of God and man, moreover, is maintained continuously. "The relations of God and man, divine Principle and idea, are indestructible in Science; and Science knows no lapse from nor return to harmony, but holds the divine order or spiritual law, in which God and all that He creates are perfect and eternal, to have remained unchanged in its eternal history." ^{pp. 470, 471 ;}

Mrs. Eddy established the Church of Christ, Scientist, showing that Christianity is a demonstrable Science and making known the glad tidings that man's God-given freedom can be demonstrated right now.

A student of Christian Science had planned with his wife to visit a neighbor on a nearby property. Although it was possible to drive to this house, they decided that to walk through the paddocks, a more direct route, would be more pleasurable. On the morning of the proposed visit, however, the student found himself unable to walk. His feet had been severely sunburned the previous day. However, after prayerful study of the weekly Lesson-Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly, he managed to put on slippers. The pain and swelling had eased somewhat.

The thought came that the visit was a right activity, an expression of love and friendliness, and that since man's business is the manifestation of such Godlike qualities, no restriction can limit their expression or interfere with right activity. Strengthened by this realization, he put on his shoes. The temptation then became great for the two to use the automobile rather than walk, but swiftly came the reminder that such a procedure would be an acknowledgment of a power unlike God, a power which would seek to limit man's God-given freedom. When he took this stand, the student made the walk across the open fields in complete comfort. When he removed the shoes later, no sign of swelling or inflammation remained. Man's freedom of action and freedom from restriction had been proved to be ever available.

The bonds of materiality, no matter what form or guise they adopt, can be proved to be nonentities. A clear and unwavering view of the real nature of man as God's image and likeness and of man's consequent immunity from anything unlike God will enable each one of us to prove these truths. In the measure that we hold to this sacred truth, we can indeed rejoice in our freedom, and, like Paul, know that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." ^{II Cor. 3:17.}