FROM the very nature of his faith and of his general attitude towards life's problems, the Christian Scientist is necessarily optimistic. Just at present it seems he does not need any very great development of that particular mental quality in order to feel grateful satisfaction with the signs of progress within the all transforming movement with which he is identified, and with the changing attitude of the world, or at any rate of many of the leading thinkers of the world, towards it. The annual reports of the Clerk of The Mother Church suffice to prove that despite the high standard of its requirements, an ever growing number of earnest-minded men and women are seeking the privilege of membership in The Mother Church. In those countries where Christian Science has taken firmest root, churches and societies are increasing at a rate which, even without further acceleration, will at the end of another decade provide something like one such organization for every ten thousand of the inhabitants.
To those who understand how much good results from even the smallest grain of truth,—the demonstration of which, indeed, is open for all to see in the change for the better in the world's mentality which has taken place since our Leader first startled mankind with her restatement of primitive Christianity,—it must be plain what far-reaching results are to be anticipated from a leaven such as this. However, Christian Scientists do not concern themselves overmuch with mere numbers and statistics; for them the feature of prime importance is the growing search after the spiritual and the better appreciation by all of what Christian Science is. Here again all the signs are propitious. According to the reports from almost all quarters, the awakening process is proceeding at a rate not far short of arithmetical progression, with the result that even the belief in the reality of matter, which until recently almost universally prevailed, is now steadily losing ground, and some of the chief exponents of so-called natural science are engaged in explaining matter away.
Many of those who believe that they are not able to go so far as to accept unreservedly the teachings of Christian Science are at any rate more ready than formerly to accord them fair play and a respectful hearing. Accordingly, there is a marked diminution in the amount of ridicule and fantastic misrepresentation to which Christian Science was formerly subjected. It does not need a long connection with the movement of Christian Science to realize the great change for the better that has been effected in these respects. That the leaven is thus working is due in large measure to the precept and example of those devoted students of Christian Science who by their right thinking, mode of living, greater charity, and enlightened outlook upon the problems of existence are compelling the approbation of their fellow-men through leading the fair-minded to realize that a form of Christianity and an ethical code which make of any one a more efficient citizen, a better neighbor, and a more consistent follower of the Master, must necessarily be founded upon Truth and divine Principle. A growing desire to know more of Principle accounts for a marked increase in the attendance of inquirers at our church services, public lectures, and Reading Rooms. From this it is evident how directly the practical preaching and healing work cooperate with all the functions of the Christian Science church.
