DO we as Christian Scientists realize that there has never been a time since the hour when the revelation of the Science of being came to our revered Leader, when we needed to be more alert, more active or insistent in resisting the aggressive encroachments of seeming error? Do we manifest an understanding capacity for larger, better, and more lasting work? Do we ascend daily "into the hill of the Lord," praying for more wisdom, greater humility, more unselfed devotion to our beloved cause?
Christian Scientists do not live for themselves. Every pain and ache overcome, every business problem worked out, every grief and sorrow assuaged, through the application of the Principle and rule taught in our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," makes our brother's burden that much lighter, and helps humanity the world over. Every treatment in Christian Science is a declaration of the allness of God, good, and aids mightily in the leavening of the entire mortal thought. This divine process leads away from self, destroys false pleasures and love of luxury, takes away pride of intellect and power, corrects ambition, and casts down human will from the pinnacle, annihilates covetousness, self-aggrandizement, and fleshly pomp.
Scientifically speaking, Christian Scientists have no first, second, or third church. There is no "your church and my church," for there is but the one church, "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (Science and Health, p. 583); therefore one church edifice which stands for the embodiment of the teachings of the Master in healing the sick and sinning, is as good as another. It is "by their fruits ye shall know them," and not by the color of the brick or the decoration of the facade. A genuine Christian Scientist recognizes the fact that church organization is a wisely ordained provision of our Leader, and that for the present, and for an indefinite period in the future, outward growth and activity will be manifested. A true Christian Scientist therefore is always willing and glad to contribute as he is able toward the upbuilding and spread of this church. He is never selfish or narrow or cramped in his thought of giving, but puts by, as he has received, measure for measure, and he keeps on contributing until the church is built and paid for; nor does he expect or desire to cease giving to these temples of Love indefinitely.
