WHEN Mrs. Eddy founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, she did not follow the pattern of the orthodox churches of her day. Every part of the service and organization came through prayer and unfolded to her as her understanding of God became clearer and as she pondered the teaching and injunctions of the Master and Way-shower, Christ Jesus. To protect her concept of church, she wrote the Manual of The Mother Church in which she gave the order of services for The Mother Church and its branches.
When she ordained as pastor of the church the Bible and the textbook, Science and Health, of which she is author, she knew that while a personal pastor might attract many people, with a subject of such magnitude and importance as Christian Science, personal opinions and hypotheses might obscure the Word of God, which shines clearly through these two books.
Because there are no personal preachers in the Christian Science movement, each church member has a vital part to play in the progress and growth of the church. Not only must the member be prepared to accept the privilege of office, service on committees, or other necessary work connected with the day-to-day running of the church, but he must be aware of the paramount importance of bringing to church affairs the light of his individual spiritual understanding.
Think of a church building without a lighting system, one that relies upon each member to bring a light to the services! In such a situation, the contribution of the individual would be clear. How important it is, then, for each member to bring to the services his understanding of the radiance of Spirit! This spiritual light will illumine the mental atmosphere, and the earnest seeker for Truth will sense the lessening of gloom and doubt and see the way more clearly.
All recognize the importance of the work of the Readers in the churches. With consecration and humility expressed in this high office, the spiritual light coming from the rostrum will be bright. However, this same spiritual light is required of the congregation if the service is to fulfill its mission. Help in fulfilling this need comes to each member through intelligent study of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, during which he uses such aids as dictionaries, concordances, and Bible commentaries, when needed to make the meaning clear, and through the experience of applying in daily life the truths gained through study. This work, done with consecration, is the oil that feeds our spiritual light. With this challenge constantly before him, the alert member has no desire to criticize or compare the strength of the light of other lamps.
Demonstrating the truths of Christian Science, living it and obeying its precepts in our inmost and secret thoughts, we bring spiritual light into the church. However faithfully and well we perform our work in the organization—and this is very important—our real work is to use this Science to solve mental, moral, and physical problems for ourselves and for others who are ready to accept our help.
Our Leader says on page 113 of the textbook, "The letter of Science plentifully reaches humanity to-day, but its spirit comes only in small degrees." It is this spirit radiating from our lives that will attract the weary searcher for truth. How often, after one has known a friend for only a short time, has that friend asked, "What is it you have, that I have not?" The living proof of this Science is needed at all times.
Intelligent and receptive listening to the reading from the desk at a Wednesday testimony meeting will prepare us for the period allowed for testimonies which follows, and we shall listen for and hear the confirmation of the healing power of Truth—the signs following. If we are actively listening, we shall also hear when God speaks to us, calling us to be His witnesses. The one who loves God supremely is ready at every testimony meeting to answer the call when it comes. Some of the terms we use may be unfamiliar to the stranger, who is more likely to attend a Wednesday meeting than a Sunday service, and these terms are understood best when used in a context which explains them. A sincere desire to give glory to God and help our fellowmen will enable us to give good testimonies, and it is always wise to remember that simplicity and sincerity have an eloquence all their own.
In the twelfth chapter of I Corinthians, Paul shows how each one of us, however humble he may believe himself to be, is essential to the whole. Using the simile of the human body, he says (verse 17): "If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?"
This is certainly true of church. Every one of us has a vital part to play, and, as with the body, if any part is working imperfectly, the whole is not functioning at its best. This leads to another conclusion, proved many times, that the obedient student finds himself blessed in immeasurable ways. When the lives of the members fulfill the demands of Christian Science, the church triumphant will be seen.
