Each annual association meeting of class-taught students of Christian Science shows the fruitage of Mind's unfoldment. What a worthy occasion! We should come to Love's feast with
Open hearts and willing hands,
Eager ears, expectant, joyful,
Ready for Thy right commands,
as we read in Hymn No.58 in the Christian Science Hymnal.
Association day is a reunion for the purpose of spiritual teaching and refreshment. The importance of this day to the Christian Scientist is like that of water to the flower. Consciousness experiences the budding unfoldment of Truth's ceaseless law in operation. The association meeting is the culmination of a year of demonstration of Truth. As an activity of good, the meeting fulfills its mission, encouraging the student to gain a better understanding of God and to advance spiritually.
The realization that Spirit's omniaction is all that is taking place makes association day a joyous and healing event. Anticipation of the spiritual inspiration to be gained finds us eager to attend and to share the unfoldment and rewards of other students who are learning to put God first.
Reports of progress during the year which are shared enrich thought with new ideas of Mind's activity and inspire one to go forth with added vigor and determination to demonstrate Christian Science. Demonstration is the result which follows the recognition of Mind's manifestation of infinite ideas. The student is learning to listen and to put these ideas into practice. Through the inspiration he has gained, instantaneous healings become more frequent. Through his higher spiritual understanding, sin, disease, and death are more intelligently handled and are proved to be nothing more than illusions. Lack and dissatisfaction are replaced with abundance and satisfaction when one realizes that all that God has belongs to man by reflection. Soul is substance, and man's life is the reflection of substance.
Mortal mind may present many arguments to prevent one from attending his association meeting and from supporting it spiritually. But if thought is kept alert, nothing interferes with this day. In doing his daily protective work, a pupil will find it important to realize that the harmony of the one Mind is governing the association. Consciousness awakes to the protection Love maintains for that which it inspires.
In an alert state of thinking, we are not mesmerized to believe we have advanced beyond association or that organization is unnecessary. To counteract such a mistaken viewpoint, we have only to look to the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy. Through our obedience to its By-Laws the merit and grandeur of the Christian Science movement are protected for all time. In the Manual provision is made for class instruction and association meetings. In Article XXVI, Section 6, we read, "The associations of the pupils of loyal teachers shall convene annually."
First things must come first. A flower does not blossom all at once but grows to that state gradually. Spiritual understanding is attained in like manner. Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 254), "God requires perfection, but not until the battle between Spirit and flesh is fought and the victory won." As false characteristics of self are put off, we become more teachable. The Master, Christ Jesus, counseled us to "become as little children" (Matt. 18:3). His willingness to be divinely led made him capable of mastering false circumstances. How grateful we can be that we are learning greater humility, compassion, and forgiveness in the time between association meetings.
Just as each spoke is vital to the strength of a wheel, so is each member important to the association. An association is strengthened through the ability of its members to work lovingly together, expressing the unity of the one Mind. The responsibility lies with each one to fulfill his part.
Occasionally distance or lack of funds presents a problem. As the pupil knows that Mind maintains and is aware that each idea is in its right place and that Mind's ideas dwell in the realm of Spirit, not of matter, the way will open for him to attend his association meeting. Moses was confident that nothing could prevent the passing of the children of Israel out of Egypt. As they stood before the Red Sea, the situation looked insurmountable until Moses heeded God's command (Ex. 14:15), "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward." Omnipresent Soul, substance, has a wealth of ideas. We can refuse to accept limitation or lack of any kind. Mind never ceases to supply and bless man. Man can express only Spirit's wealth, the abundance of ever-present good.
As the time approached for the dedication of the Extension of The Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts, an early worker in Christian Science had a great longing to attend. The probability of being able to do so seemed remote. However, with faith unwavering, she prepared her clothing for the trip. A short time before it was necessary to make a reservation on the special train which was leaving from a midwest city for the occasion, she received a letter from a friend, a practitioner, who lived on the West Coast. Enclosed was a check ample to cover the expense of the trip. The letter stated that since it was impossible for the writer to attend, she wished to have her friend go in her stead. The worker encountered considerable opposition from the family, for she and her young daughter were the only Scientists among them, but she worked joyously toward her goal. As a result she experienced the unforgettable privilege of being one among the thousands present at that glorious ceremony.
A few years later the opportunity for class instruction was presented to this stanch worker. There was never a moment of doubt in her thought as to whether she should take this step. However, again the wherewithal seemed lacking. She went right ahead, expecting nothing but good and its unfoldment. A few weeks before the time appointed for the class to convene, she received a letter from a brother-in-law in another state. It contained a check in payment of a debt of several years' standing. This money was owed to her husband, who had passed on a number of years previous to this time. The amount was sufficient for her tuition. It is not difficult to imagine her humility and gratitude.
These instances are just two which prove the truth of Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health (p. 494), "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." But we must be sure to meet every experience with divine Love!
As we accept the truth in our Leader's foregoing statement, we shall find our association day one of holiness, joy, freedom, spiritual unfoldment, and awareness of God's eternal good for all. Let us go prepared to give of the riches of Truth and Love, expecting healing and unity of thought and action. The end of this day is not the end of progress. We begin right away to use what we have learned and to prepare for a fuller and richer experience the following year. The day can never be repetitious and tiresome, because Spirit governs, and Spirit is always spontaneous and fresh. Mind, God, is all that operates, and association should be proved to be the effect of perfect cause.
