IN "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 247) Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes, "The church is the mouthpiece of Christian Science." What a wealth of joy, happiness, health, and peace has come to the world through this Science! And how grateful are the thousands who are enjoying the privilege of continuous activity within the compass of its church organization! As one studies and faithfully applies Christian Science, one is more and more grateful for the privilege of practicing that which is learned, and thus proving the truth and the availability of this practical Christianity in all human experiences, including church work.
Many years ago a young woman became interested in Christian Science through physical healing, and began to attend services in a small branch church. At the first service she attended there were only a very few present. There was a parlor organ in the room, which no one present could play except the First Reader, who, in her love for the Cause of Christian Science, was serving as both Reader and organist. The newcomer observed the situation, and, with a great desire to give of what she had, in return for what she had received, slipped quietly to the organ and played the second hymn. Upon invitation from the church, the student continued for several years to play the organ at each service. During those years church membership, both in The Mother Church and in the branch church, and class instruction were enjoyed by the student, and, simultaneously with her own happy progress, she watched the branch church grow and expand until the outward manifestation was a church edifice, supplied with a pipe organ and all that was fitting for the work of carrying on the services.
Sometimes there is the temptation to feel that one's church activity is a thing separate and distinct from one's other experiences. But how could this be when our Leader definitely designates the church as "the mouthpiece of Christian Science"? Can the right activity of any Christian Scientist be separated from the church, "the mouthpiece of Christian Science"? Those who have experienced and shared consistent activity in branch church organizations have witnessed both for the individual and for the organization the solving of all sorts of problems, the healing of discords of all kinds.
