After her discovery of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy was divinely directed to proclaim the truth to mankind. Therefore, about the year 1867 she opened the first school of Christian Science Mind-healing, in Lynn, Massachusetts, with a single student. From this small beginning has since grown the Christian Science movement, which now has adherents throughout the civilized world. In little more than seventy years there has come into active operation one of the greatest agencies for good that have appeared on earth since the ministry of Christ Jesus.
The genuine enthusiasm for serving the Cause of Christian Science which has always characterized Mrs. Eddy's faithful followers is clearly the outcome of her inspired teachings and example. The words from the sixty-eighth Psalm, "The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it," inscribed on the entablature of the Christian Science Publishing House, in Boston, Massachusetts, fittingly point to the present fruition of that divine impulse which moved Mrs. Eddy to proclaim her discovery to the world. Truly the company of consecrated workers is great, great not only in numbers, but in the unselfish devotion to the Christ-idea which inspires it. It is also great in its healing influence and in its regenerative power.
Now with an ever-increasing understanding of Christian Science, students are learning new ways and means through which to spread the glad tidings, and each may find opportunity to help demonstrate its benefits. Within the numerous and necessary activities which comprise the organized work of building up and maintaining the Church of Christ, Scientist, lies a vast field of individual opportunity through the application of Christian Science in daily living. This fact was once well expressed by a Unitarian minister who, after attending a Wednesday evening meeting in a Christian Science church, said, "The world may not be ready to read your books, but they will all read your lives." Therefore, the Christian Scientist should be a living witness to the truth which he professes. When this fact is faced and its consequences are weighed, it is apparent that the only way to be a genuine Christian Scientist is to obey faithfully the rules of self-discipline laid down by our Leader in her writings, among which are those given in Article VIII of the Manual of The Mother Church under the heading, "Guidance of Members."
