Election of Readers and officers in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, gives one an opportunity to apply the teachings of Christian Science in church affairs. New members, and some older ones, may feel disturbed because they do not know the membership and therefore do not know for whom they should vote. The inclination may come to inquire of a more seasoned worker as to the qualifications of various members, but unless this is the direct result of prayer it should be seen as looking merely to persons and human opinion, instead of to God, for guidance.
The problem of not knowing how to vote came into the experience of the writer upon transferring membership to a branch church in the city where she was then living. The first suggestion was not to attend the meeting because she was unacquainted with almost the entire membership. In pondering what to do, however, she saw that first of all it was her duty to be there as a member of the church, and that, secondly, it was her privilege as a member to support the meeting mentally. But the argument persisted that the latter could be done just as well at home. Then she became grateful for membership in a Church of Christ, Scientist, which entitled her to have a part in an election, and she desired to be at the meeting.
But what to do about voting? The writer knew that it was important for the growth of the church that consecrated and active Christian Scientists be elected—those who would carry forward Mary Baker Eddy's demonstration of Church, which she defines in part in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583) as follows: "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."
