THE Christian Science movement is one of the greatest organizations for good in the world, and to be connected with it may be considered a rare privilege. One of the greatest blessings and opportunities for growth which can come to a Christian Scientist is membership in a branch church. Every member joins from choice, without coercion or solicitation from anyone; he is not drafted, he enlists in the army of God. He acknowledges that Christian Science is the truth, and is eager to spread this healing Science. Through a sincere desire to aid the Cause he may find that the step of joining a branch church is the most important one in his life. His membership allies him with a great organization founded on the understanding of God, divine Principle, built on the Rock, Truth, and governed and sustained by perfect divine Love. He is blessed by being a part of this great body, and has the joyful opportunity of helping at all times.
To be a successful church member, however, and reap the blessings that come from membership, requires constant demonstration. Wherever many people, or few, are gathered together, it is most advantageous to realize the presence and power of the one Mind; and this may be the first thing the member endeavors to do, finding it a joyful and satisfying occupation. No longer does he go passively to the services, perhaps to criticize the solo or the Readers' pronunciation, or to wonder why more people do not speak to him. As a member of the church he feels some responsibility for the success of the services, a desire that they may fulfill their purpose, but he knows that, first and foremost, it is the thinking of the Christian Scientists that counts. He can make the demonstration of being prompt at the services, so as not to disturb the Readers or distract the attention of the congregation; he can say a friendly word to a stranger, or at least entertain loving thoughts. He is convinced that the truth which is being spoken from the desk at every service can be heard by those present; that the Lesson-Sermons so carefully and prayerfully prepared are fraught with healing; and that healings do take place continually at the services. Who will not agree that it takes demonstration to testify at the Wednesday evening meetings? But the fear overcome, the loving desire to help someone, to acknowledge the truth and express appreciation of Mrs. Eddy, will break down the barriers of limitation and uplift the thought of the speaker, the congregation, and the church as a whole.
In working on the various committees the members have much opportunity for the realization of the reign of divine Principle, for the expression of unity, for the forgetting of self in working for God. Likewise, the business meetings, where many opinions and thoughts are expressed, present splendid opportunities for demonstrating the government of God, Mind, divine intelligence. Perhaps soon after his enlistment in this Christian army the branch church member may learn that the so-called human will, separate from God, must be relinquished, because it cannot govern correctly, but, rather, obstructs the operation of Truth and delays progress. The giving up of this human will enlarges the thought and opens the way for spiritual progress and growth. One learns to let God govern the church, to let the government rest upon His shoulders, knowing that human wisdom cannot take the place of God, divine Mind.
Carefully drawn by-laws for branch church use and adherence to them are a great help toward harmonious church government, but more important still is the Manual of The Mother Church, containing the remarkable "Rule for Motives and Acts" (Art. VIII, Sect. 1). At election time it is most important to remember that God governs, and to reflect on the divinely inspired wisdom and counsel embodied in this By-Law. Then will elections be the expression of the church as a whole, and not of a few individuals. At members' meetings, when consideration, humility, and right motive have been manifested, it has frequently been found that the resulting vote was unanimous. If the one Mind with its infinite wisdom is allowed to govern, the right person will be elected. When God is allowed to govern, error is uncovered, proper intelligence is exercised, and right results are obtained.
Where a church is building its edifice, the members should not think of this undertaking as a burden, but as a joyful privilege and opportunity for the demonstration of supply. Through this experience they may learn that the true Church must first be established in their consciousness. In one community where there were no wealthy members the problem of building a suitable church seemed to many at first a very weighty one, but with the help and guidance of a building committee the members endeavored earnestly to turn away from the false sense of money as the source of supply, to God, infinite Love, the Giver of all good. Month by month the whole church membership studied subjects pertaining to church building, such as light, beauty, purity, unity; and the spiritual import, gained through individual study and attendance at the building meetings, brought great enlightenment to the members. They learned that the Christian Science church is founded on divine Principle; that its light is Truth, its beauty "the beauty of holiness," its purity spiritual, and that its unity is established in God, the one Mind, through the Christ. Gradually the true concept of Church as "the structure of Truth and Love" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 583) came to the consciousness of the members; contributions flowed in from unexpected sources; the old bounds were steadily outgrown, and it was with great joy that they presently entered their new, beautiful edifice.
In our progress and in our zeal for accomplishment we should always bear in mind that love is of greatest importance, and that without it all our work is naught. We may be faithful in committee work and may testify at the Wednesday evening meetings, be regular in our attendance at services and church meetings, but if we are without love we are, even as Paul said, as nothing, for "the vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science," as our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, declares (ibid., p. 113), "is Love."
The world needs Christian Science churches. So long as the claim of mortal mind appears to exist and evil to whisper its lies, there will be need of their uplifting, healing, spiritual influence. The loyalty of every church worker is needed; and soldiers in the front ranks can stand, because they have behind them the sustaining power of Truth. Here, again, the Manual of The Mother Church comes to our aid with valuable instruction. Under the heading "Alertness to Duty" (Art. VIII, Sect. 6) it states, "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind." Christian Scientists who hear this admonition will strive to have no other gods but the one God; will remember their great indebtedness to Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and Leader of our movement; and will not forget that they have enlisted to comfort and heal mankind, while loving their neighbor even as they love themselves.
Then will they know of a surety that the Church of Christ, Scientist, built upon the rock of Truth, the divine Principle, Love, cannot be overthrown.
