Notices

FROM THE DIRECTORS

[As published in the Christian Science Sentinel of July 28, 1923]

The question is often raised among Christian Scientists as to just how the By-law in the Church Manual regarding the joining of other societies should be applied to our everyday interest in world affairs; and while this is a problem which must be left largely to individual demonstration, yet there are times when a word on the subject may be helpful.

At present there seems to be a strong impulse among Christian Scientists to organize or join clubs or societies having for their object the giving to men and women a more conspicuous place in political and social activities, and many of our good Scientists are engaged in work of this kind, their intention being to create an interest among both sexes in all that stands for reform in governmental, civil, and social circles.

At this point the question will arise in the thought of many, What organization is accomplishing most for the present-day advancement of individuals and nations? There is but one answer to this question. The Christian Science movement is preeminently the means of giving to men and women their rightful place in all branches of social and religious work. Indeed, no more effective agency can be realized than that which is already offered through the broad channels of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston.

It is an accepted fact that before constructive work of any kind can be accomplished through a material organization, a right understanding of Truth and of good must be established in the thought of those who are active in such endeavor, else no real or lasting advancement can be rightly attained. The foundation upon which every superstructure must be built, whether it be political, religious, or fraternal, can be laid only through a knowledge of divine Principle, which is the origin, source, substance, cause, law, foundation, and government of all things. This having been done and the organization, whatever it may be, having proved its utility, the thought of the Christian Scientist is naturally directed to our Leader's definition of Church as given on page 583 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Church. The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."

The temperance reform in our country, resulting in a change in the Constitution of the United States, could have been brought about only by the application of the rules of divine Principle. This also applies to advancement and progress in every line of right endeavor, whether advocated by men or women.

How, then; can a lesser organization hope to accomplish that which is not being done already through the Christian Science movement? "One cannot scatter his fire, and at the same time hit the mark," our Leader says (Science and Health, p. 457). The most effective and efficient organization on the face of the earth to advance the cause of both men and women has already been established and is in successful and effective operation. A social or political organization cannot take the place of Church. No progress is possible in any direction unless it is based on righteousness and Truth.

Why need we detract from the interest and retard the progress of the main issue by encouraging Christian Scientists to belong to lesser organizations, which must borrow their energy and strength from the parent movement? The fact that organizations of this kind are seeking to avail themselves of the ability and mental activity of Christian Scientists shows clearly that whatever influence or support is given to these side issues must be taken from the chief source of activity, which would have a tendency to weaken the fidelity to Christian Science in the thought of its adherents.

All labor questions, whether civil or national, can be adjusted only through an understanding of that which "rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Christian Science means the understanding and demonstration of one Mind, one infinite good, of which our Leader has declared (Science and Health, p. 340), "One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,—whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed."

Christian Scientists, who accept the truth of this statement, will see at once that any side issue or byproduct of righteous endeavor, regardless of how popular or well-intentioned it may be, will only serve to detract from the main purpose and impede the student's progress and advancement in Christian Science. "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

[As published in the Christian Science Sentinel of August 25, 1923]

Selections Read at the Wednesday Evening Meetings

Inquiries come to the Board of Directors from time to time as to the selections from the Bible and Science and Health which should be read at the Wednesday evening meetings. Newly appointed Readers sometimes ask if the readings for Wednesday evening meetings should not always follow the subject of the Lesson-Sermon, either that of the previous Sunday or of the one to follow. To this it may be answered that the Lesson-Sermon is in a class by itself, as we learn in pondering the words of the "Explanatory Note" which is read at each Sunday service from the Christian Science Quarterly. It is therefore not necessary, or even desirable, to attempt further elucidation of the vast themes presented in the Sunday Lessons, but some topic of present interest may be selected, always keeping it in line with the thought of the overcoming of error, whether manifested as sickness, sin, or some other form of discord. Some story from the Bible can at this time be presented in its entirety, possibly with one or two corroborative passages from another part of the Bible, but the latter, as a rule, should be brief.

It is, of course, well for Readers to acquaint themselves thoroughly with the instructions found in Article VIII, Section 24, of the Manual of The Mother Church, for the Wednesday evening meetings, and also with our Leader's words on this subject which begin on page 148 of "Miscellaneous Writings."

While the Readers in branch churches should make their part of the Wednesday evening meeting a matter of prayer and demonstration, it may be helpful to many to know that in The Mother Church it has been thought best that there should not be more than three selections for the Scripture reading which are not consecutive, and from Science and Health not more than five, unless in the latter case more seem necessary. It is also considered inadvisable either to begin a reading in the middle of a verse, or to discontinue before the end of a verse, although this is sometimes necessary in the Lesson-Sermon, but the Wednesday evening readings are not a Lesson-Sermon, therefore this necessity does not exist. We should never forget that many visitors, unacquainted with the teachings of Christian Science, attend these meetings, and they are apt to be disturbed if the readings are not largely consecutive and do not follow in direct line the Scriptural passages which are familiar, and often very dear, to them.

It should not be forgotten that the responsibility for the Wednesday evening meeting does not rest alone upon the First Reader but upon all who are present and who have experienced the blessings of Christian Science in the overcoming of sickness and error of every sort. All who come should bring with them a mental offering of gratitude and love, whether they have an opportunity to express it audibly or not; for that sense of gratitude will bless, not only the one who entertains it, but all others, and may bring special blessings to some stranger within our gates. This spiritual contribution is of the utmost value to our Cause, indeed to the whole world, and is part of the healing ministry of Christian Science.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

[As published in the Christian Science Sentinel of August 25, 1923]

In accordance with the Proclamations of President Coolidge and Governor Cox, a memorial service for the late President, Warren G. Harding, was held in The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, on Friday, August 10, 1923, at 11 a.m., and in branch churches generally throughout this country.

The following was the order of service in The Mother Church:—

1. Hymn 195, "Shepherd, show me how to go," by Mary Baker Eddy.

2. Readings from the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

Bible: II Samuel 23:3-5 (to colon);
Psalms 56:9, 13; Psalms 37:23, 24; II Corinthians 1:3-5; John 14:1, 21, 25-27.
Science and Health: 275:10-12, 26;
276:17; 267:28; 427:29-3; 72:21-26;
299:7-15; 266:29; 577:32.

3. Silent Prayer, followed by the Lord's Prayer.

4. Hymn 169, "Lead, Kindly Light."

5. Reading Proclamations from President Coolidge and Governor Cox of Massachusetts.

6. Address of First Reader.

7. Hymn 158, "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

8. Scientific Statement of Being and Correlative Scripture (I John 3:1-3), and Benediction (Numbers 6:24-26).

Address of the First Reader, Mr. Bliss Knapp

The Proclamations issued by our President and Governor provide in a most fitting way for Christian Scientists to unite with all patriotic citizens in paying loving tribute to the memory of a great and good President,—Warren Gamaliel Harding.

In thus honoring our late President, Christian Scientists are but following in the footsteps of their revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who was eminently public-spirited, and was ever ready to recognize and acknowledge greatness and goodness wherever it might be found. A great lover of humanity herself, she was quick to acknowledge her appreciation of that quality in others. It was at her request that a memorial service for President McKinley was held in The Mother Church.

We are deeply touched by this sudden interruption in the natural course of President Harding's life, and our loving thoughts reach out in sympathy and consolation, especially to his bereaved widow. The passing of our great friend and benefactor is mourned, not only by his courageous and helpful companion and his host of dearly loved friends, but by the nation at large, and by the whole civilized world.

He deeply loved his family and friends, but his interests in the good of all mankind knew no bounds. He sought to lighten the burdens of others, and he took great interest in helping to remove from American labor the twelve-hour working day. His efforts on behalf of American taxpayers have met with marked success. By practicing strict national economy through the medium of the budget system, he attained such results as seemed to justify his hopes of the system.

Again, he reached out through the Washington Conference to free the world from the crushing load of naval taxation. Perhaps the most notable of all his achievements in public life was the Conference on the Limitation of Armaments. The sublime courage and startling boldness of the plan, which his Secretary of State published to the world at the opening session, was epoch-making in behalf of humanity and against the recurrence of war.

Scarcely less courageous in moral strength was the firm hand President Harding took on the enforcement of national prohibition. Such moral fiber is a state of mind. As Mrs. Eddy has written in "Pulpit and Press":"More effectual than the forum are our states of mind to bless mankind" (p. 87). It was the same moral fiber which caused him so consistently to refuse to Bolshevik Russia the official recognition of the United States.

A great man is never lacking in the graces of the Spirit; and these we find in abundance in Mr. Harding's character. Rising above party rivalry, he showed his magnanimity on his Inaugural Day by special kindness to his predecessor in office; and it was at President Harding's personal request to the Navy Department that Doctor Grayson was assigned to duty in Washington that his services might be continually available to President Wilson.

In his last address, read by his secretary, to the Knights Templars assembled in Los Angeles, President Harding summarized his real sense of life by urging on his fellow-country-men "more of the Christ-spirit, more of the Christ-practice, and a new and abiding consecration to and reverence for God."

Kindness and consideration to all, calmness and dignity in his high office, reverence toward God and religious activity, economy in administration, respect for law and equity in national and international dealings, and, above all, the laying down of his life for his country,—this is the great heritage left in the hearts and minds of his countrymen by Warren Gamaliel Harding. He might have chosen as his standard of life the maxim:—

While our grateful thoughts linger upon the memory of our departed President, our eyes turn also to the future; and we welcome with heartfelt loyalty our new President, Calvin Coolidge. We earnestly pray that divine Mind may guide and bless him in his new responsibilities, so that his leadership may bring continued honor and prosperity to this great nation, and may aid in the establishment of "on earth peace, good will toward men."