"THEN Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake. . . . And many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city."
This event, related in the Acts of the Apostles (8:5-8), is in a degree parallel at the present time to the occasion of the giving of a Christian Science lecture. But healings occur in greater measure when intelligent preparatory work has been done with one accord by the members of the branch church giving the lecture, for thus a way is prepared for the reception of the Word. This work is necessary, for on it depends to a great extent the success of the lecture. Unity of purpose is a great asset in this preparatory work, and the church whose members individually contribute their prayerful support to the lecture will find that their effort "availeth much."
It is a joyful task to prepare for the visit of a loved friend, to get ready the best room, to provide everything possible for the guest's comfort. So when the branch church issues its announcement and invitation to the public, wise provision must be made for those who accept the invitation. The first thing to do is to get ready the best room, and this does not mean merely the providing of a large and well-lighted hall, but rather the preparation of the upper chamber of thought of the church members.
