Equal rights through prayer

Many dedicated organizations today are working to establish equal rights for humanity. Much has been accomplished. More is needed. Mary Baker Eddy, the Leader of the Christian Science movement, speaks forcefully in her books of the right of all men and women to equality. She also tells how humanity can gain this equality. She writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scripturs,m "One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, -- whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed." n1

n1 Science and Health,m p. 340;

One need not wait for an equal rights organization to act on one's behalf in order to have equal justice. Through prayer, equality can be established wherever we are and at any time. The laws of justice and equality are God-given , God-maintained, and God-enforced. In fact, man can never be less than the full representative of God.

About twenty-five years ago, when fewer people than today were thinking and speaking of equal rights, I had an opportunity to prove this law of God. I had worked my way up to a nice position in a large company. Both men and women held this type of job; however, the women were classified two grades lower than the men and received twenty dollars less a week.

I thought nothing of it; this was just the way things were. Then one day I was told that I was going to be transferred to a position that was more of a "woman's job." I was also being asked to report to a new location that was much further from my home. The local and district managers said the decision was firm; nothing could be done. The company had decided to give my position to a man.

I was resentful and angry. It was unjust. I was about to look for employment elsewhere when my husband suggested that I see a Christian Science practitioner.

This woman called my attention to the fact that the one infinite God controls all. She referred me to this verse in Isaiah: "The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us." n2

n2 Isaiah 33:22.

Instead of believing that men or a company or a situation governed me, I was to know that God governed me and that He governed everyone in my company. It is God that places man, and He is just. I realized that my actions must be founded on Him if I was to see His power. Instead of feeling anger and resentment, I had to express humility, love, and gratitude. The result was that I accepted the new job and did it happily. Meanwhile, the company arranged to have my case tried before the employee grievance board.

A few days before my case was to come up, I received a telephone call from the chairman of the board. He asked if I would like to have my former job back and if I would like to work in an office nearer home than the one I had previously worked in.

But that wasn't all. After I had worked a few days in the new location, I was informed that I would have the same job classification as the men and would be receiving the same pay as they.What's more, this change was not only to be for me but for all women holding this job classification in our company.

God is marvelous! When we acquaint ourselves with His law and yield to it, we bring His love and justice into our lives. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. Psalm 7:9, 10