When the prophet Hosea saw the faithlessness of the Ephraimites and the other children of Israel, he reminded them of the loving care, protection, and guidance of God which they had experienced in such rich measure. He represented God as saying (Hos. 11:4), "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws." The words "I drew them... with bands of love" point unmistakably to the tenderness displayed by Deity in teaching them the way and keeping them in it.
Today we may marvel that the children of Israel displayed so much blindness and disobedience in view of all the loving-kindness shown them; but must we not be alert not to fall into the same mistake? For on us a Christly yoke is laid; that is, not more is expected of us than we can fulfill. We too are drawn "with bands of love" which would keep us in the straight and narrow way. But the human mind has a tendency to grumble, to be discontented and insubordinate. Changes which demand the redemption of mortals are apt to rouse opposition. They see danger even in a loving reminder born of experience, and regard a needed admonition as a limitation of personal liberty. The human mind is in constant need of instruction and guidance.
The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount have served through the centuries as effective educational means of progress and achievement. Indeed, should they not act for each one of us as "bands of love"?
In the last century Mary Baker Eddy, as a result of her inspired knowledge of God, organized the Church of Christ, Scientist, with the wise anticipation that such an organization would assure guidance, protection, and demonstration for both the individual and the whole movement. In an "Historical Sketch" found in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, we read (p. 19), "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., is designed to be built on the Rock, Christ; even the understanding and demonstration of divine Truth, Life, and Love, healing and saving the world from sin and death: thus to reflect in some degree the Church Universal and Triumphant." In obedience to God and with spiritual love for humanity Mrs. Eddy compiled the By-Laws and Rules of the Manual for the members of this Church. In them we find the spirit of the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, or the motivating power of the "bands of love."
Thus the Christian Science organization, or movement, is based on spiritual law and the ideals of this religion are realized for each individual in proportion as he obeys its By-Laws and Rules. We obey laws if we understand and love them. Organization manifests order; it calls for obedience and requires co-operation. Order, obedience, co-operation—these three—are essential to harmonious and successful individual work. They are also the basis of a productive community life. An organization that promotes these three qualities in their spiritual significance in the life of the individual is a blessing.
Those familiar with the Christian Science organization who unselfishly and devotedly have dedicated their lives to the service of this holy Cause appreciate the "bands of love," because they know from experience that these bands are essential to their progress. Perhaps someone is unwilling to be guided by these "bands of love" because he is afraid that his individual liberty may be curtailed or that his ability to make demonstrations may be interfered with, However, the contrary is the case.
The church organization established by Mrs. Eddy guarantees freedom of individual development and promotes the ability of the individual in demonstration. Indeed there is nothing here to hinder us from praying fervently that we may become conscious of man's oneness, or unity, with God, may be divinely inspired, may express ability, make decisions freely, love all-inclusively, ennoble our thinking; in short, exemplify good in all ways. Thus we obey the admonition of Paul (I Thess. 5: 19-21): "Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." Only through obedience, through submitting to the "bands of love," can we experience the infinite freedom of Spirit. Disobedience, while promising freedom, always leads into slavery.
Loyalty to the Christian Science organization cannot interfere with the ability of the individual to make demonstrations, because it eliminates such deterrents to demonstration as self-assertion and pride, false sensitiveness and ambition, selfishness and other enemies of the Christianization of life. Practical work in the organization demands the overcoming of self and the expression of self-immolation and self-forgetfulness. Loving our neighbor as ourselves assures harmonious co-operation, which is essential to all success. This co-operation gives the organization support and strength. The student who recognizes these facts and proves them true will always be a blessing to the church, just as the church is a blessing to him. Only if one is not willing to walk under the "bands of love," will he feel the organization burdensome.
In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul says (I Cor. 12:26, 27): "Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." We are as yet far from being able to say that the divine has overcome the human in every respect, but when and where mistakes occur through human thought and action, they should not cause the individual to separate himself from the organization. If the member allows himself to be guided by wisdom, he will rise above personal sense; he will become aware of his duty as a member and will not rob himself of the joy of winning a victory over evil. Any discordant manifestation among the members of a church should be eliminated by the demonstration of the one divine Mind.
The fact is that with regard to the body as well as in the case of organization harmony and progress can be achieved only through spiritualization of thought. Jesus, our great Master, contrary to the expectation of his contemporaries, said (Matt. 5:17): "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Paul in his letters to the Christian churches admonishes and encourages them to fulfill the divine demands. Outstanding importance is attributed to church organization by John in Revelation. His penetrating vision enables him to see the mental qualities the churches expressed. Unsparingly he reproves and admonishes them. He too calls for fulfillment. In her Message to The Mother Church for 1900 Mrs. Eddy, referring to the vision of John, says among other things (pp. 11, 12): "In Revelation St. John refers to what 'the Spirit saith unto the churches.' His allegories are the highest criticism on all human action, type, and system. His symbolic ethics bravely rebuke lawlessness. His types of purity pierce corruption beyond the power of the pen. They are bursting paraphrases projected from divinity upon humanity, the spiritual import whereof 'holdeth the seven stars in His right hand and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks'—the radiance of glorified Being." Like Jesus, Christian Science is come not to destroy, but to fulfill.
To the true Christian Scientist membership in a branch church is an excellent means of self-discipline. How much less unselfishness and self-sacrifice, how much less discipline and co-operation, how much less loving service and gratitude, there would be without the activities of the branch churches! The harmonious relationship of the active member not only with a few but with all members of his branch church is an unfailing sign of a right understanding of organization. Walking under the "bands of love" results in the relinquishment of human will, of encroachment upon the rights of others, of senseless criticism, and of useless condemnation.
Since the Christian Science organization is promoting the spiritual growth of the individual, no person can say he has outgrown it until he has completely spiritualized his thought. Jesus experienced his ascension only after he had proved his dominion over all that is material and human. An organization which serves the maintenance of good and has as its goal the salvation of humanity can never do aught but bless.
Christian Scientists who through their familiarity with the teachings of Christian Science have received many blessings and are enjoying a certain measure of spiritual growth will naturally have a desire to express their gratitude adequately and to do more good than they have before. They find that opportunity in active participation in the Christian Science organization. While they are going forward with the guidance of "bands of love," bountiful blessings will be theirs. They will experience the joy of seeing latent abilities developed, and undreamed of possibilities appearing. Indeed they find their own redemption and are happy to be among those who have made it their holy duty to overcome the evil in the world and to promote the good. They will be crowned with the assurance of the Bible (Eph. 2:19-22): "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;...in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end
ing, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and
which is to come, the Almighty.—Revelation 1:8.
