Editorials

PERHAPS nothing is more important to the progress of the student of Christian Science than church membership. It opens up an entirely new field of activity, and when the student makes the most of the opportunities afforded, great spiritual growth follows.

There is a concept of man that is based upon what is apparent but not real. There is another concept that is based upon what is real even though it is not apparent.

Christian Science teaches the allness of God, good, and the consequent nothingness of evil, or error. It does not theorize on this question; it demonstrates the difference between the real and the unreal through healing.

If the power of Christian Science were merely human, it could not have brought about the vast number of healings it has since Mary Baker Eddy's discovery of it in 1866. Such power does not lie within human means.

In order to demonstrate the healing power of Christian Science, it is essential that we recognize the way in which our need for Truth has been met. Christ is Truth, the Way in Science.

" The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking," writes Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health ( p.

Perhaps nothing in the life of Christ Jesus is more astonishing than the continuing spontaneity of his powerful thinking. This spontaneity was the result of his actual consciousness of the kingdom of God, which he came to reveal to the world.

In the face of what appears to be a threatening situation in the world—evil vaunting itself above good, often in the name of good—it is encouraging to consider a question that Mrs. Eddy asks and then answers from the Bible: "Who is it that demands our obedience? He who, in the language of Scripture, '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?'" (Science and Health, p.

The Bible contains many promises which encourage us to look ahead with hope and with confidence that good will prevail in all things. But the Bible contains much more than mere promises.

One way of governing a large body of persons pursuing the same objectives is to organize under a constitution which sets forth laws needed for carrying out designated affairs. The Manual of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, was provided by Mary Baker Eddy as the constitution for the governing of her Church.