IN fulfilling the request made by The Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church to the branch churches that they send in to The Mother Church historical sketches of the beginning and development of their church organizations, far more is involved than the simple chronicling of names, dates, and events. To one who is asked to narrate such a history the question at once arises, Where shall it begin? Thought is led back to the earlier workers, to missionary work in the Field, and to many incidents that contributed to the formation of a branch church.
Meditation upon the origin of the Christian Science church unfolds into the consideration of the vine whereof our Master said, "My Father is the husbandman." Then swiftly follows the realization that our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in the Preface to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. xi), "When God called the author to proclaim His Gospel to this age, there came also the charge to plant and water His vineyard." How evident it is that the Cause of Christian Science, embracing all its agencies, is the fruitage of our Leader's discovery of the law of Life, Truth, and Love, and of her subsequent obedience to God as He unfolded to her the human footsteps to be taken in the establishment of The Mother Church and its branches!
We read in the "Historical Sketch" in the Church Manual (p. 17) that "on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,—To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." Upon what did Jesus found the church of which he spoke centuries ago? In commending Peter's statement, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus said: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
