IN the consideration of man's birthright and dominion the thought of the Christian Scientist turns naturally to the first statement concerning man given in the Bible, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."
The question naturally occurs, What has become of this dominion which God gave to man? Why is it that to-day mankind is seemingly dominated by all things, instead of having dominion over all things? The only correct and satisfactory answer to these questions is to be found in the teachings of our text-book. Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, wherein it is found that man has never lost dominion, but is, and always has been, in "the image and likeness of God." The first great requirement is to understand man aright. This is clearly indicated on page 518. "Man, as the image of his Maker, reflects the divine might. He is the master of earth, not made to till the soil. His birthright is dominion, not subjection. He is lord of beast, fowl, reptile, and fish,—himself subordinate alone to his Maker." In proportion as the full import of these words becomes understood, is it clearly seen that the ordinary concept of man adhered to by mortals is lacking in most of the vital and essential qualities, and is entirely inadequate to express that which man is, or what is his rightful heritage.
The question as to what constitutes man's birthright has been a perplexing problem to the thinkers of all ages. Theory after theory has been advanced, considered, tested, and found to be unsatisfactory and inadequate. The Bible has always contained the correct solution of the problem; the necessity is to find this out. In proportion to our understanding of these Scriptural truths, which were the inspiration of seer and prophet throughout all ages, which Jesus taught and demonstrated, and which are fully explained in our text-book, do we awaken to the truth of being, become participants in the physical, moral, and spiritual freedom which God has established, and attain to that degree of happiness, peace, and perfection which rightfully belongs to man.
