THERE are two strong reasons why Christian Scientists love their church and are notably loyal to it. First, all Christian Scientists have experienced some form of healing, either physical, mental, or moral, through the ministry of the church. It may have been relief from sickness, the lifting of a load of sorrow, trouble, want, or limitation of any kind, or the destruction of conscious sin. It may have come through hearing the truth expressed in a public service, through reading the literature, or through the loving work of some authorized practitioner; in any case it has come through some branch of the church activities.
Moreover, every Christian Scientist knows that through the ministry of the church he is growing in the understanding of Truth and in dominion over every sense of evil. Every service attended, every Lesson-Sermon studied, every lecture heard, every bit of literature read, every contribution of prayer or testimony, time or money,—all these help to restore spiritual consciousness, building for mankind that structure which at once protects from sickness, sin, and death, and helps humanity to rise above mortal limitations. The Christian Scientist cannot afford to neglect one of the healing and helpful influences of his church.
The second reason why Christian Scientists love the church and are loyal to it, is that it presents the largest opportunity ever offered to men for loving, helpful service for humanity. Since all men are the children of one Father, brotherly love and the desire to help others in their need should be one of the strongest motives of the heart. The world is full of institutions,—religious, educational, social, charitable, —all aiming to help mankind. Some of them seem to be efficient and helpful; others are not.
