Christian nations develop in a degree a vital coincidence of religion and government. And governments which give their citizens liberty to serve God conscientiously spread law and order in the worldwide community. Like flames of fire, the forces of righteousness leap from mind to mind, from country to country, destroying evil beliefs.
The Pilgrims who settled on the shores of Massachusetts in 1620 were rebelling against civil and religious tyranny. Ecclesiastical authority had gone too far. So had civil abuses. A man's conscience had little standing. So the Pilgrims sought a new and free environment.
Christian Science supports the spirit of liberty exemplified by the Pilgrims; it promotes both civil and religious liberty. Mary Baker Eddy says of the Pilgrim Fathers: "On shores of solitude, at Plymouth Rock, they planted a nation's heart,—the rights of conscience, imperishable glory. No dream of avarice or ambition broke their exalted purpose, theirs was the wish to reign in hope's reality—the realm of Love."Pulpit and Press, p. 10; The world has much to be grateful for in the firm stand for freedom of conscience and heart established by the Pilgrims. The influence of their "exalted purpose" is still helping to mold the religious and civil demands of peoples.
