THE distribution of Christian Science literature is an imperative duty in these days of world-wide suffering, because this condition is due to ignorance of God, and the remedy, metaphysical Science, gives the proof of His omnipresence and omnipotence. If we heal the world's distress in any least degree, we thereby heal that which seems to be our own, because being merely a mortal supposition it is in fact neither ours nor another's, and the compassion which renders us willing to solace the world with the facts of true being springs from the Science on which our own courage and healing depend.
As fruit and seed appear conjoined in horticulture, so the blessings we receive connect with those we bestow, and both reflect that infinite Principle, Love, from which none of them, nor we ourselves, can be separated. The seed for a greater blessing lies within the fruit; and this is true metaphysically, because there is no real world system of evil. When we know this for ourselves we can prove it, at least by finding general hospitality for the literature in which this great fact is stated and made practical. Mrs. Eddy writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 268), "This time-world flutters in my thought as an unreal shadow, and I can only solace the sore ills of mankind by a lively battle with 'the world, the flesh and the devil,' in which Love is the liberator and gives man the victory over himself." When we share this vision of God's spiritual universe more largely, a vision which inspires and vitalizes every page of our beloved Leader's writings, we shall repeat her accomplishment in finding countless thousands who are willing "to become the sons of God," as we read in the first chapter of John's gospel.
Who can overestimate the fructifying possibilities of a single piece of Christian Science literature, planted as seed in good soil, watered with the dews of heavenly inspiration, and warmed with the light of Love that knows no place or time wherein evil may have dominion! This right judgment as to the recipients of our literature is of the utmost importance in distribution work. If one is unable to discern the right state of thought applicable to the human factors involved in a distribution problem, he will profitably refrain from offering Christian Science literature there until he has opened, in his own consciousness, the way for its cordial reception. He will thus avoid finding corroboration for his own mortal opinions in a rebuff latent in his own thinking but personalized in another. The glad surprise, now so often experienced, of finding a welcome for Christian Science in unexpected places is the reward which comes for having believed, however dimly, that the perfect universe is the only real one; it means the lifting of the dark veil which shuts out the light of Truth from human thought, and is the growing dawn of endless life.
