Another opportunity to unite with The Mother Church and with some one of its local branches is at hand, and the occasion deserves the loving attention and prayerful thought of every Christian Scientist.
The growth and maintenance of The Mother Church, the health and vigor of the branch churches—these are matters of vital concern to us as individuals and to the world about us; they form a basis for the spread of the teaching of Christ Jesus as explained and corroborated by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. Jesus said in speaking of his teaching, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ... As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:1. 4). May his words awaken in our hearts a renewal of love for the Church and an increasing understanding and support of its mission.
The mission of The Mother Church cannot be stated more succinctly or comprehensively than it has been stated by Mrs. Eddy. She says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583): "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."
