HUMANITY is today recognizing its need of a religion that does the works which it instinctively recognizes religion should do. In recent years there has been a great awakening to the fundamental fact that religion must prove its worth through works of healing, for these are much more important than mere preaching. The student of Christian Science undoubtedly has a clearer recognition of this than others, because Christian healing is the corner stone of the Christian Science movement. As the student advances in understanding, he learns that to be a Christian Scientist is to follow a career in itself; for, while those of the world are planning ambitious careers, the Christian Scientist knows that living and demonstrating Christian Science must always come first. His other activity is incidental to and embraced in this, even though it may be his material business. His primary activity is the healing of himself and, proportionately, mankind in general of belief in the varied forms of evil. He endeavors to bring into every department of his experience the truths of Christian Science which are freeing the world from sin, sickness, and death.
The beloved Leader of the Christian Science movement, who was divinely inspired to give out to a darkened world this new-old method of healing, not only recognized mankind's need of physical healing, but also realized the need of system and order in establishing it. Out of this realization has grown the Christian Science church, composed of The Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts, with all its branches throughout the world, and its varied departments, class instruction, practitioners, the lectures, the Reading Rooms, and all the other activities specified in the Church Manual. All of these are aids to human progress out of spiritual ignorance. They all perform a special service, and must be appreciated, supported, and loved by everyone who loves progress in the understanding of Christian Science.
In view of these privileges, which are offered to every student, the questions for everyone to consider are: What is my concept of Church? And what am I bringing out in evidence of my acceptance of the true concept of Church? If our concept of Church is circumscribed, as meaning an organization in which to work out one's individual redemption, then there is need of enlargement of this limited view. We must gain the true perspective of Church in Christian Science, and of its truly majestic proportions, its universality in fulfilling God's plan of salvation for all individuals, nations, and races. Our Cause is a world movement leavening the whole of human thinking and contributing to mankind's awakening and progress. With what dignity is the work of every student who has become a church member invested as he realizes the significance of his individual share in the unfolding of the divine idea of Church through his church affiliation!
