A glorious opportunity for individual spiritual growth lies in the experience of every member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, if he is daily availing himself of the privileges which membership in the Christian Science organization affords. No one thing, in the life of a member of a Christian Science church, is fraught with greater possibilities for individual spiritual attainment than is the experience of those who conscientiously, faithfully, and fearlessly meet and fulfill the obligations which devolve upon them as church members. The willing and joyous fulfillment of obligations thus assumed is coincident with the spiritual blessings this fulfillment brings. Righteous endeavor and just reward are concomitant and inseparable. One accompanies the other; and the two exemplify the words of St. John, in Revelation, "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
As a member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, however, one is not concerned so much with the compensations of righteous endeavor as with the antecedents of individual right thinking and doing, which are father to the compensations. Principle provides the reward without individual outlining or direction. A member of a Christian Science church does not look to position or office in the church organization as his rightful and necessary compensation for faithful service. He is not especially concerned as to office or position for himself further than honestly, conscientiously, and capably to fulfill the duties incident to positions to which he may be called, appointed, or elected. The conscientious member of a Christian Science church does not seek, desire, nor covet place, position, power, or prestige in his church relationship. He glories in the conviction that Principle governs all his affairs and all the affairs of his church, and he daily strives to put into practice the wise counsel and admonition of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, contained in the "Rule for Motives and Acts," in Article VIII, Section 1, of the Manual of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.
The unseen spiritual obligations of individual church membership are vastly more sacred and vital than those of merely filling positions in the church organization. The deeper and more important responsibilities lie in building in consciousness the true understanding of Church; in individual spiritual attainment, devotion to the one God, and love for all mankind. They lie in helpful cooperation, forgiveness, humility, kindly consideration for others, patience, long-suffering, meekness, and thought for naught but the Christianization and salvation of the race. Envy, jealousy, resentment, and selfish ambition for place or position within the church organization, should not enter the consciousness of the useful member of a Christian Science church, and positions in the church are never looked upon by him as vehicles for personal glorification or emulation.
