Christian Science rejects all evidence of the material senses. It acknowledges only the testimony of Spirit. It declares that God alone governs His spiritual creation. He also rules in all human affairs. Nebuchadnezzar stated this fact when he said (Dan. 4:35), "He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" And Mary Baker Eddy writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 379), "The real jurisdiction of the world is in Mind, controlling every effect and recognizing all causation as vested in divine Mind."
It is the work of the Christian Scientist to recognize and maintain daily that every individual and all that the individual can know—home, business, church, government, and, indeed, the entire universe—are in reality constituted only of spiritual ideas. It is the duty of the Christian Scientist to reverse material concepts and find the spiritual truth of whatever the material senses present. Only what God knows and sees is true; therefore spiritual concepts and spiritual facts are the only realities.
Take, for example, a home, a church, or a business. Let each one associated with it pray daily to gain an ever clearer spiritual concept of it. Let him maintain that in its true being it is sustained and governed by good alone. What takes place as this is done? Improved human conditions result; progress is made, and true success is achieved.
So it is with the affairs of communities and nations. The consistent acknowledgment that the universe is constituted not of mortals but of immortals, governed not by men but by God, divine Principle, results in improved conditions of government and living in the community, the nation, and the world.
The children of Israel suffered in slavery for many years because they knew not clearly enough the nature of God—the great I AM—until His nature was more fully revealed to Moses. Then they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, suffering the cruel impositions of mortal mind, because they failed to trust God. Moses and Joshua, holding fast to the ideal of God's government in the affairs of men, opened the way for the children of Israel to enter into the promised land of peace and plenty.
Great, Godlike men, such as Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, and Isaiah, sustained by God's eternal, omnipotent, and ever-present power, have lifted the ideals and standards of men. The individuals and nations who followed these ideals have prospered and advanced the cause of civilization.
Christ Jesus established Christianity and presented the perfect example of righteous living. And later our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, gave to the world the final revelation of the truth of God, of man, and of the supreme government of divine Mind. Slowly but gradually mankind is awakening and yielding to the great fact of God's omnipotent government in the affairs of men. And great is the opportunity of Christian Scientists to follow the Christly example and pattern in the demonstration of true manhood and spiritually ordered living in their homes, their churches, their business and social activities, and in their affairs as citizens of the world. Great is that nation today whose people stand resolutely for righteous government at home and abroad, for they set the standard for all nations, a standard which cannot be ignored or overthrown.
The Christian Scientist is a benefactor of the race. Regardless of material testimony, he insists that God governs. Are there enemies threatening a nation or tyrants in the world violating the rights of the individual? Our work is to reject the false appearance and identify all our fellow men in their true individuality as obedient ideas of divine Love, governed by Principle.
Only as we gain the true concept of God and man can harmony be established. The Apostle James says (5:16), "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This applies to every condition and situation in human experience.
The Christian Scientist is a useful citizen of the world because he has learned that in reality he is a citizen of heaven; therefore he knows that all men are his brethren. His work is to leave not one individual out of the kingdom of heaven in his thought of creation.
In her book "Christian Science versus Pantheism" appears an article by Mrs. Eddy entitled "Prayer for Country and Church," and what she here indicates should be continually in the hearts of all Christian Scientists. She writes (p. 14), "Pray for the prosperity of our country, and for her victory under arms; that justice, mercy, and peace continue to characterize her government, and that they shall rule all nations." And then Mrs. Eddy requests that we pray for all who are serving in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, as well as those in the armed services.
Are we doing this? Are we praying for the establishment of justice, mercy, and peace in every individual, community, and nation? Are we praying for victory for all who stand for the ever-present and supreme power of divine Love throughout all eternity? When evil strikes outside our borders or within them, are we, instead of condemning and hating, turning more earnestly to divine Principle for its guidance and revelation?
We have a sacred obligation to pray without ceasing and thus help to lift mankind higher in the scale of righteous government, of peace and prosperity. Let our understanding of spiritual brotherhood bind us more closely to our fellow men, and let us pray that the eyes of all may be lifted to behold and enjoy the glories of God's everlasting rule and reign.
In an article in the Boston Herald in 1898, Mrs. Eddy wrote (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 278): "The government of divine Love is supreme. Love rules the universe, and its edict hath gone forth: 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me,' and 'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' Let us have the molecule of faith that removes mountains,—faith armed with the understanding of Love, as in divine Science, where right reigneth."
