In the thirteenth chapter of John an account is given of the Master's washing the disciples' feet. By this act Christ Jesus showed his disciples the way of humility and loving service to one another. He said to them: "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." Surely, to serve one another humbly is one of the important ways to prove in our own experience the truth of his words (John 12:32), "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
Mary Baker Eddy, the Leader of the Christian Science movement, loved in obedience to Jesus' example. When she was brought forth from the shadow of death and discovered Christian Science, she loved enough to make Science understandable and provable to all humanity, thus becoming both the Discoverer and the Founder of Christian Science. She followed the Master's precepts in faithful service to mankind. Her estimate of the importance of Christian Science was such that she founded a Church for its promulgation and defense. Through great trials and many long hours of prayer she established her Church, The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. With great love for humanity she dedicated her Church to Christ's service. Its mission is to lift mankind above the mists of materiality into the understanding of man's harmonious life in Spirit.
Led by God, Mrs. Eddy provided the Manual, the By-Laws of which constitute the government of The Mother Church. In them are some impelling demands which must be fulfilled by faithful members of this Church if they would follow the Master's example and walk in the foosteps of their Leader. An important demand which the Manual implies is for a deep, heartfelt meekness. This includes a humble yielding to God's will, and patience which trustingly awaits the unfoldment of His purpose. The Church member needs to pray earnestly, "Teach me to love more, and more, and more." Then he must rise up and live that prayer. In spirit the Manual demands that we let neither the cares of this world nor the pleasures of worldliness stop the ears of our understanding from hearing God's voice or our eyes from discerning the Christ, Truth, which ever guides us in the way that leads onward and upward above materiality. Indeed, we need to pray fervently that we may never lose the way.
