Organization is an important element of national institutions, constructive operations, and comprehensive enlightenment. Its purpose is to establish order, develop efficiency, protect liberty, and promote progress. It may be briefly described as the consistent union of the mass and the harmonious operation of its component units. The familiar saying, "In union there is strength," is an exemplification of one aspect of organization. We all remember the fable of Æsop's day where the boy tried in vain to break the bundle of faggots he had brought home for the fire. "Separate them," said his grandsire, and obeying, the lad broke them easily one by one. The sticks when bound together resisted all his efforts, but taken singly were easily reduced to firewood.
Unity then may be said to be the backbone of organization, and cooperation is no less necessary. The smoothly running automobile is possible only because each part is coordinated with every other part. The parts might be united firmly, but if all did not cooperate, the car would never get out of the shop. So too in music. Each individual note in a symphony is not only self-expressed, but must be expressed in coordination with every other note. Each does its share in bringing out the complete harmony of the whole only as it is related to its fellows. Organization is necessary, then, to the permanent progress of any great movement, and necessary to successful organization are unity and cooperation.
Sound organization inculcates in the individual not only self-control, but obedience to accepted authority, development of individual ability, and its employment for the common good. The secular world attributes the orderly and extraordinary growth of the Christian Science movement to the completeness of its organization. While as Christian Scientists we know that this is true in part, it is profitable for us occasionally to consider what influences, if any there be. may have a tendency to impair the efficiency or impede the progress of our church organization.
