Men naturally and necessarily form themselves into a society, a body with common life and common action, constituting a unity out of the multitude of its members. In every unit, whether it be individual or corporate, there is a primary divine duty of existence and self-preservation. The first necessity for the corporate life of a multitude is organization, the specialization of functions, and the appointment of some to be a center of force for the ruling and direction of all the others. Sovereignty in the first instance resides in the community generally, and is held and exercised variously according to the character of the community and the conditions of time and place. The chief exercise of sovereignty is the making of laws, and thus the civil legislative power is in accordance with natural law and the eternal law in God. It is an imitation of the divine action, a participation in the rights and authority of God. That power, whether exercised remotely by the community, or immediately by those who actually make the laws, should be used by them as agents of God entrusted with the carrying out of His will. The divine will in this connection is the maintenance of the life of the society by means that are morally good, generally beneficial, and just towards all without infringing on the private rights of any. Even in secular matters men should trace the creating and guiding hand of God, and consider what is His intention. Civil government must so far take account of God in order to its authority, stability, and efficiency in carrying out its first duty of maintaining social life.
