In "Notes from the Field" we hear our brothers' voice from month to month, which is always an inspiration in our onward march to the "Promised Land;" how you are and where you are. Herein we see the fulfilment of the words, "The God inspired walks calmly on, though it be with bleeding footsteps, and hereafter they shall reap as they have sown."Science and Health, p. 273. About a year ago, after holding services for some time in our homes, we rented a Hall in which to have a Sunday school. Every expense was met by the collection from week to week, some of us specifying a regular gift or sum, and great good was individually realized from the demonstrations at times necessary to meet the obligation. The demands were mostly met by those having the least means, those having the most of "worldly riches" giving the least. Recently, as a natural consequence, we felt the need of a "home," or headquarters, in which to hold our students' meetings; a gathering, for study, of all Scientists and their students, called "General Students' Meetings." We are now reading, consecutively, Science and Health, having begun with the first page, and are taking four pages at each meeting. We precede this study with a business session, recognizing our common Cause, and illustrating "brotherly love." Nothing that pertains to our local work, or business, is transacted at any other time, but all is always decided here and by the majority. There are always some differences of opinion as to best methods, &c., but we are never in haste. After proper discussion by each, we leave the question at issue in the Spirit of Love, and are willing to let "human justice wait on the Divine." Principle guides and concludes our business matters.
The following is in reference to our mid-week Bible Reading, the Sunday school lesson, Sunday school and Church. Before we took any steps, we prayed, or "treated," for guidance as a society. Rooms in the heart of the city met our gaze; a special meeting being called to consider the question, in a short time it was decided to take them. We immediately rented two of the rooms until further demonstration—we expecting to need them. Every cent for rent, chairs, carpet—our entire outfit in fact— came naturally and easily; the first dollar being paid, the evening of our meeting, by a washerwoman. Each one seemed glad to give. Not one dollar that was promised failed to come, and that without being asked for. From people outside of Science, or those who classify thus, we had one five-dollar, with several other donations. The painting of signs was done by outsiders.
I mentioned a church. We have no pastor, but meet at 10.30 Sunday, when some of us read a sermon, or from Unity of Good, from the Series, or from some part of the Sunday school lesson; each one bringing out thoughts from that by means of the references, thus showing the oneness of Science and Health and the Bible, and its practical application to each act of emerging from matter into Spirit. To "emerge gently" does not mean to hold on to material beliefs; though this apology we sometimes make for our desire to hold on to error.
