The first vision of Christian Science that comes to one is often a great revealing and uplifting experience. Christian Science comes into one's life bringing "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." It is revolutionary in its effects, changing one's standpoint, giving a radically different sense of values, and opening up a limitless vista of revelation and progress. It may bring the solution of some problem of supply or employment, or release from pain after months or years of hopeless illness, or it may come bringing light and certainty to one who has been groping darkly in a maze of theological dogma or philosophical speculation; for there is no pain or sorrow or perplexity troubling mankind that is not encompassed by the healing and saving power of Truth.
This first experience is usually followed by growth through the study of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly, through attendance at the Sunday services, and through the opportunities for giving and receiving to be found in the Wednesday evening meetings. In time there is awakened a natural desire to be active and useful in the organization through which Christian Science is being presented to the world, and the student in due course becomes a member of a branch church and of The Mother Church. At this point, as a church member, the student of Christian Science may find that he meets new situations and faces new problems.
The church services, Sunday and Wednesday, are designed to present the truth to those who are seeking it. Governed wisely by the provisions of the Manual of The Mother Church, they are protected against many of the elements of mortal thought that would tend to interfere with the fulfillment of this design. Nevertheless, these elements of mortal thought must be dealt with. They must be uncovered, recognized, and destroyed, and the business meetings of the church offer the opportunity for accomplishing much in this work. Periodically Readers are elected, members chosen to serve on the Board of Trustees, and matters of church policy decided; and by dealing with these questions in a scientifically Christian spirit each member can do much in the way of overcoming the errors of personal sense and realizing his heavenly citizenship—a measurable present attainment of which is possible. And there are definite ways in which he can work toward this end.
