From the fullness of a grateful heart the student of Christian Science who has witnessed and experienced its healing power desires to bring the glad tidings of this divine truth in some manner to mankind, to help spread this gospel.
One dictionary definition of the word "gospel" is "Glad tidings; csp., the good news concerning Christ, the Kingdom of God, and salvation." Mrs. Eddy, in citing three of Christ Jesus' commands to his followers, and thus to Christian Scientists, discusses healing the sick and raising the dead; then she continues, "Third: This leads inevitably to a consideration of another part of Christian Science work,—a part which concerns us intimately,—preaching the gospel." Retrospection and Introspection, p. 88; Each student has the happy opportunity of bringing good tidings of this kind to his fellowmen. Mrs. Eddy explains in the next paragraph, "The Lord's command means this, that we should adopt the spirit of the Saviour's ministry, and abide in such a spiritual attitude as will draw men unto us."
Aside from each Christian Scientist's individual opportunity to disseminate this good news, he may join collectively with his fellow church members in giving a Christian Science lecture to his community. In The Christian Science Board of Lectureship Mrs. Eddy provides for a specific group of students to dedicate themselves to the missionary work of preaching the gospel, of carrying glad tidings of omnipresent, omnipotent good to all the world. She says to them: "The Christ mode of understanding Life—of exterminating sin and suffering and their penalty, death—I have largely committed to you, my faithful witnesses. You go forth to face the foe with loving look and with the religion and philosophy of labor, duty, liberty, and love, to challenge universal indifference, chance, and creeds."The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 248; When the joyous time for giving our community a lecture on Christian Science arrives, how can we best fulfill our responsibility as church members? How can we best support the dedicated and selfless one who will be delivering the message and how can we best assure ourselves that this "good news concerning Christ" shall fulfill its purpose? As recorded by Isaiah, God said of His Word, "It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isa. 55:11;
