"I don't take the periodicals. I haven't the time to read them and study the Lesson-Sermon."
"I used to subscribe, but could never keep up with them. They accumulated into a huge pile. I've got enough to last for years!"
"I haven't unlimited time for study, so I prefer to concentrate on the Bible and on Science and Health and Mrs. Eddy's other writings. After all, they contain a complete exposition of Christian Science."
Most of us have heard such remarks at various times—may even have made them —and all students of Christian Science would agree with the final one. But sometimes such a statement carries the implication that die Christian Science periodicals are superfluous. So the question arises: Why the periodicals? Why were they established? Why did Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and the inspired author of its textbook, Science and Health, consider it necessary to inaugurate the Christian Science periodicals?
The biographies of Mrs. Eddy reveal her as a Leader who held untiring watch over her movement, listening prayerfully to every divine prompting and supplying her students and, through them, the world with needful provisions for spiritual progress and welfare. Thus, in 1883, she wrote: "At this date, 1883, a newspaper edited and published by the Christian Scientists has become a necessity." In the same paragraph she continued, "Further enlightenment is necessary for the age, and a periodical devoted to this work seems alone adequate to meet the requirement."Miscellaneous Writings, p. 4;Miscellaneous Writings, p. 4; This "newspaper" eventually appeared as The Christian Science Journal.
When the time was ripe, the Journal was followed by a weekly publication, the Christian Science Sentinel, and later, the German Edition of The Herald of Christian Science, and finally, in 1908, by The Christian Science Monitor. Each one of these organs was designed to meet a special need and perform a special function. Mrs. Eddy also made permanent provision for the maintenance of their high standard and continuance by means of By-Laws in the Manual of The Mother Church, one of which includes the words, "and it shall be the duty of the Directors to see that these periodicals are ably edited and kept abreast of the times."Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 14; This By-Law, which appears significantly under the heading "Discipline" and "Guidance of Members," also states, "It shall be the privilege and duty of every member, who can afford it, to subscribe for the periodicals which are the organs of this Church."
This statement invites our prayerful attention. Is it reasonable to suppose that the divine wisdom and Love that prompted our Leader's gifts to us and cherished their perpetuation would fail to supply any one of her students with the means, either in time or money, to make full use of them? Many have been the demonstrations over financial and other limitations made by members of The Mother Church, who, wishing to be obedient not only to the letter of the Manual but to its spirit also, have taken out that first subscription to the periodicals when other needs seemed more legitimate and pressing. They have thereby discovered to their joy that Christ Jesus' words are indeed demonstrably true. When we "seek . . . first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,"Matt. 6:33;Matt. 6:33; the other things are richly added.
In the By-Law just quoted Mrs. Eddy designates her periodicals "organs of this Church," and one of the dictionary definitions of an "organ" is a "medium of communication." Today's student of Christian Science, faced with the tremendous challenges of a rapidly shrinking world and an increasingly complex society, needs to keep himself currently and accurately informed on all matters that deeply concern mankind—not only to be made intelligently aware of the problems that face the human race today and to have a just appraisal of them but to know—and this is of vital importance—how to apply his understanding of Christian Science to their solution. The Christian Science Monitor highlights the areas that need our special attention and our specific prayers; the other periodicals lead us to the truths and the inspiration we need and indicate how they may be intelligently applied.
Consider some of the pressing problems that currently claim our attention: juvenile delinquency, drugs, the so-called "generation-gap," racial violence, ecological pollution, and urban decay. All these, as well as the age-old evils of sexual promiscuity, divorce, crime, poverty, and war, have received adequate coverage in the Monitor and have been featured in the religious periodicals of our movement. If he fails to use these organs of his Church in furthering its healing ministry, the Christian Scientist is only half awake to the functions of his religion and its purpose to save mankind.
And what of our personal problems? We diligently study the Bible, together with our Leader's writings, in seeking their solution. But do we not often find in one of the periodicals the very healing truth we need, discussed and elaborated in an inspired religious article? With what gladness we welcome a published testimony of the healing of a difficulty similar to our own, and how grateful we are to the writers of those testimonies and articles!
The immortal truths that comprise the complete presentation of Christian Science in its textbook must always grow and expand in the understanding because of their essential vitality. And as a diamond held to the light reflects prismatic colors, so different facets of the infinite truth are perceived by one student or another in unusual clarity, and then, by means of an article contributed to a periodical, held up to the light so that all may behold it.
No time to read all the periodicals from cover to cover? But be assured that when you turn to them in grateful recognition of their good purpose, you will be led to read just the articles or testimonies you need at that particular time. Nothing necessary to your spiritual development will pass you by. Like letters from a dear friend, our periodicals are eagerly awaited by those who have learned their value; and every home is infinitely blessed where the Christian Science literature is thus welcomed, read, and loved.
"The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it." Ps. 68:11;Ps. 68:11; These words of the Psalmist appear on the outside walls of the Christian Science Publishing House, and from thence the Word flows forth in a rich broad stream of precious literature, publishing the glorious truths that are destined to save the world. The Founder of Christian Science writes with prophetic insight: "Let the Word have free course and be glorified. The people clamor to leave cradle and swaddling-colthes. The spiritual status is urging its highest demands on mortals, and material history is drawing to a close. Truth cannot be stereotyped; it unfoldeth forever."No and Yes, p. 45No and Yes, p. 45 If we are to meet these "highest demands," we cannot afford to neglect one single aid for building up and maintaining the acme of spiritual fitness and vigor. We cannot ever afford to be without our periodicals.
