THE Mother Church and its activities—the authorized activities of the Christian Science movement —form a complete whole, which adequately meets the needs of all who desire to understand and demonstrate the truth about God and man. By authorized activities we mean those coming within the scope of Mary Baker Eddy's known or recorded instructions. Among these definite requirements are healing, church services, Sunday schools, Reading Rooms, Committee on Publication work, lectures, the publishing of literature, and so on. Whatever is specifically required by her very properly has the precedence over any minor activities.
The authorized activities of Christian Science inform and protect its adherents. In their informative mission these activities combine as one in proclaiming the joyful news that Life, Truth, and Love, when understood, actually do overcome sin, disease, and death in human experience at all times. In their protective mission they co-operate with one another in dispensing only that which is literally and spiritually correct, thus securing to all dependable divine guidance. Because of such authorization the followers of Christ today enjoy light and protection in their quest for spiritual understanding that is far in advance of anything given before the discovery of Christian Science. It may truthfully be said that whatever growth has been attained by the Christian Science movement as a whole, or by Christian Scientists individually, is due to understanding and obeying the specific instructions laid down by our Leader for every activity she established. And undoubtedly the world is benefited in many ways it may not now see as a direct result of the steadfast obedience by devoted Christian Scientists to what they know to be the safe and sure way. It has been proved times without number that Mrs. Eddy's demonstration of right means for presenting divine Truth and Love to the hungering is complete, and needs no supplemental devices. The important consideration is whether her provisions are being carried out exclusively for their respective purposes in the healing spirit in which they are revealed.
A leading purpose of this article is to discuss the adequacy and value of our authorized literature. To help in this presentation it seems well briefly to remind ourselves of the situation in the early church. The difficulties attending the preservation and circulation of records bearing on the unfoldment of Christianity were numerous after the time of Christ Jesus.
