Dear Fellow Workers: Greeting.
An arduous duty has been laid upon unaccustomed shoulders. Fitness for it, willingness, patience, love and, above all, understanding of and loyalty to Principle, are yet to be proven. Will we not all be better judges of that proving, if the reason for the existence of the Christian Science Journal be brought to mind? "It was designed to bear aloft the standard of genuine Christian Science," says its founder. In its inception, was it to "bear aloft the standard" for the students of Christian Science alone; or for the whole world of suffering, sin-sick humanity?
It was, at first, little more than a continuous letter of love from its editor, to the few who had set out to be true followers of Jesus; although it reiterated the blessed invitation; "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Later on, one after another of the beginners in Science, through demonstration — doing His will — came to know of the doctrine; and their words of "truth and soberness" were honored by a place in its pages. Little by little, this standard-bearer was left to those whom the faithful Teacher hoped were true and steadfast; until, in June 1889, it was consigned to the tender care of the whole band of "genuine" Christian Scientists. Let us see if it has received, at our hands, the tender care that the loving mother bespoke for her nurseling.
