Those who become students of Christian Science are familiar with the purpose for which our Church is founded. Our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who is the revelator of Christian Science and consequently knows more about the subject than anyone else, says in the "Historical Sketch" of the Church Manual (p. 17) that her purpose was "to organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." She further tells us in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583), that "the Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."
These two quotations from the Church Manual and from our textbook, Science and Health, remind us that as members of the Christian Science Church we all have a duty to perform every day of the year. Once we realize this, we need not lack the inspiration or the faithful, persistent consecration and effort necessary to put our shoulder to the wheel and go forward. To the one who views the world from the watchtower of spiritual perception it is evident that mankind today, with its belief in sin, sickness, sorrow, and failure, is in need of help that will lift thought to where one can express joy.
One student of Christian Science who saw this need for improved mental conditions, and who desired to identify himself with the movement as a loyal, alert, practical Christian Scientist, decided to undertake the stimulation of thought by calling the attention of others to Article VIII, Section 14, of the Church Manual, where Mrs. Eddy says, "It shall be the privilege and duty of every member, who can afford it, to subscribe for the periodicals which are the organs of this Church." His interest in and desire ever to increase this activity, which have now extended over a period of years, have grown into a deep love for the periodicals, and have borne fruit. This love has become the means of encouraging many friends to subscribe for and read the periodicals.
