[As published in the Christian Science Sentinel, February 23, 1935]
As the date for the admission of new members to The Mother Church approaches, certain reminders are timely. While it is eminently desirable for the student of Christian Science to become a member of The Mother Church, since it tends to growth in understanding and demonstration, there is need of prayerful consideration regarding preparation on the part of those who may be about to apply for admission. Readiness as well as willingness is requisite. Just what that readiness includes is set forth in Article IV, Section 1, of the Manual, where Mrs. Eddy makes it plain that the applicant "must be a believer in the doctrines of Christian Science, according to the platform and teaching contained in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Rev. Mary Baker Eddy. The Bible, together with Science and Health and other works by Mrs. Eddy, shall be his only textbooks for self instruction in Christian Science, and for teaching and practising metaphysical healing."
These stipulations having been met, it becomes the privilege of every sincere Christian Scientist thoughtfully to consider applying for membership in The Mother Church. In so doing it is well to remember that without The Mother Church the Christian Science movement as founded by our Leader would be bereft of those agencies and instrumentalities for good which she has made dependent upon The Mother Church itself. They are inseparably linked with it. Without it we should have throughout the world no Sunday services or testimony meetings, no authorized teachers, practitioners, or nurses, no Bible Lessons, no Sunday schools, no Publishing Society, no periodicals, no Board of Lectureship, no Committee on Publication, no charitable institutions. The Mother Church is not a Boston institution, but a universal manifestation of Christliness, and all it expects in return for what it so abundantly provides is that those who have shared its beneficence will, when ready, join its world wide membership. Within its wide channels one may find paths that lead to progress, and by joining it one will be actively upholding the Science which is unerring and divine, by which the sick are healed, the sorrowing are comforted, and the sinning are reformed.
