THE poet Longfellow wrote,
Thinking the deed, and not the creed,
Would help us in our utmost need.
Thought and words, without deeds, do not prove the utility of a creed. Church activity, which is a challenge to the Christian Scientist to walk with God, entails fulfillment of the desire to bless by participation in the action of blessing mankind.
Mrs. Eddy has set the example. She writes, "I love mankind, and shall continue to labor and to endure" (Science and Health, p. 99). The Mother Church and its branches the world over, whose purpose it is to bring Christian Science to mankind in the spirit and action of the good Samaritan, spring from the fulfillment of her mission, her desire to bless all humanity.
Our Leader defines "Church" as follows (ibid., p. 583):
"The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.
"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."
The spiritual idea of Church defined in the first paragraph of the definition is analogous to the kingdom of heaven, ever present and eternal. The human manifestation of this spiritual idea of Church, exemplified by the Church of Christ, Scientist, proves through the lives of its members and each and all of its activities that the impulse derived from an understanding of the true nature of Church unfolds the healing and saving blessings of God, divine Love, to mankind. This fulfillment appears in activity that is as practical as that of the good Samaritan, and it is inspired by the fervent desire to bless—to reflect divine Love.
The earnest church member puts into use the understanding of the Scriptures which he has gained through study of them in the light of the writings of Mrs. Eddy. He utilizes his knowledge of man's eternal status as the perfect expression of God, divine intelligence, to guide him in all the activities of the human institution. As he affirms the truths of God and man, he knows that the receptive human thought cannot fail to respond to and understand the spiritual message presented. Thus the purpose of the church to awaken mankind universally to this true status is advanced. In reality the spiritual status of man is now, always has been, and ever will be inviolate because of the nature of God, the Almighty, the everlasting, all-inclusive Supreme Being.
Where church members are happily and cooperatively pursuing this course of spiritual knowing and its resultant right human activity, there is bound to be response in interest in the communities served and in church growth. This is inevitable because the power of God is infinite, and the right application of Truth in thought and action ensures right results. Where these seem not to appear, it is necessary to review the position in the light of our Leader's words in "Rudimental Divine Science" (p. 17), "A slight divergence is fatal in Science"— a statement applicable to church affairs as well as to physical healing.
There are two errors that specifically tend to stultify the desire of the members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, to bring Christian Science to humanity. One is evidenced when a member sees the truth but does not put into practice in church activity what is learned, thus failing to fulfill the basic command to love God and man. The second is seen in an indulgence in great human activity that lacks the inspiration derived from a spiritual knowledge of the true nature of God and man in His image and likeness, which alone demonstrates enduring fruition.
When relating the story of the good Samaritan, the Master asked the lawyer this question: "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" (Luke 10:36.)
The lawyer answered, "He that shewed mercy on him."
Jesus then said, "Go, and do thou likewise."
The fervent desire to bless, which is love —the reflection of divine Love, God—cannot fail of fulfillment.
Thought and action can be and are quite naturally spontaneous, and unfoldment of the truth as demonstration in human affairs is not governed or limited by the mortal sense of time. When the members individually and collectively rely on God's unerring direction to guide the human footsteps, the activity of the human institution unfolds at the right time the reflected activity of divine Mind, the inspiration of divine Love. The church members' affections in this way progressively embrace all humanity. Paul says (Rom. 2:11), "There is no respect of persons with God."
Church activities, spiritually impelled, can never be reduced to prolonged, uninspired routines, can never be viewed from a standpoint of complacency and self-satisfaction, and can never lack fulfillment and fruitage. They should be carried through with constantly renewed inspiration and conviction gained from God-derived power and direction. Negative speculations relative to the state of spiritual growth, education, and social status of those in the community to whom the message of Christian Science is given—or, indeed, of those Scientists conveying the message—and the effects on them of the message should be silenced by the spiritual perception that in truth all receiving the message are God's beloved children, fully able to receive it, and that man as the expression of God reflects Him. Man is eternally the spiritual expression of God, Spirit. This is the absolute truth to be held clearly in view in thought and action.
It is necessary to be constantly alert to see and to adhere firmly to the fact that neither fear nor any so-called law of limitation has power to frustrate the desire of the church to bless the community and to fulfill the law of love for God and man. Truth is omnipotent.
The stature of Christian Science in the world today reflects the extent to which church memberships nourish wholeheartedly the desire to bless, with signs following. No church member is exempt from the demand of this practical work. It is in fact an integral factor in the working out of individual salvation.
A part of this spiritual activity is alertness in pursuing spiritual warfare against the suggestions of unwillingness, inadequacy, or any unfitness for the task. Good deeds in fulfillment of the obligation which membership in the Church of Christ, Scientist, requires cannot possibly fail to follow divine inspiration.
