A specific need in church activity is intelligent prayer that affirms God's protection and care. The following article, submitted by a member of The Mother Church in Florida, develops this thought.
Paul stood fearlessly for his right to share the good news of his Master, Christ Jesus, and to heal in his name. At one time the hatred and envy of the carnal mind caused Paul to be stoned and left for dead. What did his friends do? Did they continue their daily routine, wondering anxiously or idly why this good friend with such a fine understanding of God should have so much to meet? Instead, they took spiritual action. The book of Acts relates, "As the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city." Acts 14:20. And the next day Paul continued with God's work.
Despite the attack, Paul was then able to work out his freedom and go on to fulfill his Father's mission. Undoubtedly the disciples, remembering their Master's resurrection, prayed supportively with steady, persistent conviction of the power of the Christ to restore to their fellow worker his rightful spiritual freedom.
On a similar occasion, when Peter was rendered temporarily incapable of carrying on his healing work, as a result of imprisonment, "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." Acts 12:5. Not just an occasional hopeful thought, but the steadfast, continuing support one would give a beloved family member.
Today there is a compelling need that we give similar strong support to the Cause of Christian Science by praying for each other, including our standard-bearers. This is not, of course, specific treatment of individuals; a practitioner on a particular case is taking care of that. Rather, one's supportive, watchful prayer is intended to maintain in one's own consciousness what is actually going on in the kingdom of heaven, and to support that. We can know with humble, triumphant insight that where a need or challenge seems to be, right there are the inspiration and revelation from God that bring about a Christian Science healing. Right in one's own consciousness of the situation can be the acknowledgment that God is maintaining His own evidence, His own presence, and the divine actuality of His reflected glory. Just as important, we must be certain of the fact that can never be disproved, that Christian Science heals.
In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "Remembering the sweat of agony which fell in holy benediction on the grass of Gethsemane, shall the humblest or mightiest disciple murmur when he drinks from the same cup, and think, or even wish, to escape the exalting ordeal of sin's revenge on its destroyer?" Science and Health, p. 48. This teaching does not exclude us from supportive love. In this context we can be sure that ideas of God and their identities can never be victims of "sin's revenge." Divine Truth is sin's destroyer, and sin cannot attack Truth.
Mrs. Eddy gives this wise admonition: "I earnestly advise all Christian Scientists to remove from their observation or study the personal sense of any one, and not to dwell in thought upon their own or others' corporeality, either as good or evil." Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 308-309. To obey this advice is one of the most important protective footsteps we can take for ourselves, for others, and for the Cause. Without personal sense to aim at, error has nothing to strike. Our obedience to this teaching by Mrs. Eddy precludes in our own thought all but the presence of God and His man, always one with infinite good. In truth, man is maintained in a perpetual state of safety. This oneness is "the secret place of the most High." Ps. 91:1.
Protecting all God's workers for the Cause is the panoply of divine Love. Their work expresses the undivided garment of Christliness, only pure, outreaching love. If hate could reach this Christliness, the hate would shrivel up and become the nothingness it is.
Sometimes we ourselves are given the opportunity to fill a responsible position in church. Any fear about being a target, or speculation about malpractice, is a form of superstition suggesting itself. "Mere speculation or superstition appropriates no part of the divine vesture, while inspiration restores every part of the Christly garment of righteousness," Science and Health, p. 242. Mrs. Eddy writes. A new appointment brings with it a divine anointing, clothing us in "the divine vesture," an enfoldment of protection to the unfolding work. Against this inspiration, shining with joy and love for the Cause, there is no law to harm us.
So we should feel neither disturbed nor apathetic when God's faithful servants are confronted with challenges. We can, rather, know that God and man are forever intact, truly untouched by anything that harms. Man is forever "the loved of Love." Christian Science Hymnal, No. 232.
Spiritual building enhanced by college organizations meeting
"The call for renewed spiritual commitment was unmistakable, and it will certainly strengthen organization work for all of us. ... With the college organization meeting, there was a stronger and more mature feeling about our spiritual enterprise which was conveyed with a rare mixture of realism and hope. No small accomplishment. "
A college student sent this message to The Mother Church after attending the August 1982 meeting held in Boston in the interest of Christian Science organizations at universities and colleges.
Those who have written also tell how the meeting resulted in much more than just a temporary zeal to reap the positive rewards of practicing Christian Science. They express a down-to-earth desire to more fully realize the mission of these organizations as church in their academic communities. They show the strong conviction that spiritual building (the theme the meeting addressed) is much needed.
Most important, the writers are "rolling up their sleeves" and getting down to the real work of church at colleges and universities around the world.
These words of Mrs. Eddy's epitomize the sense of purpose to which the meeting participants were called at the college organizations meeting: "Will you doff your lavender-kid zeal, and become real and consecrated warriors? Will you give yourselves wholly and irrevocably to the great work of establishing the truth, the gospel, and the Science which are necessary to the salvation of the world from error, sin, disease, and death? Answer at once and practically, and answer aright!" Miscellaneous Writings, p. 177.
An indication that the "answer" is appearing now can be seen in a very discernible upturn in college organization activity. And certainly this indicates an increasing ability to face and deal realistically with the challenges to our movement.
A sense of newness and healing does come when these challenges are faced— as others have testified:
"I feel that the meeting really put a spotlight on true spirituality and its applicability. The meeting brought out time and time again the need to base our lives on God and dedicate our lives to spiritual living.
"Org growth and progress always come from metaphysical healing in individual thought. There was a tremendous sense of joy, love, unity, with a vision of infinite possibilities and divine purpose [at the meeting]. The desire to serve God with new dedication has been awakened in us all."
"Many of the ideas shared helped free me from accepting drudgery and a sense of personal responsibility in my church work. Org will fulfill its healing mission to the degree that we understand its spiritual purpose."
"Fun, inspiring, joyous, beautiful—all these words have been used to describe this meeting. But I have another list of adjectives—challenging and demanding are two of them. I accept the challenge lovingly and gratefully."
Another individual found healing inspiration in a number of ways:
"Many things have happened to me this year, and I've had many challenges to meet, but the biggest and most difficult were the challenges others made on my religion. Even though I was able to answer all the questions people asked me without swaying (with lots of God's help!), inside my own mind I began to question and compromise. This meeting enriched my beliefs in Christian Science, adding new ideas, and reassured me that I am not out here alone preaching my ideas. It is God's work . . . and there is a whole movement behind it. I've had a couple of healings because of the meeting. First and most important it has allowed me to study my Science more, something I've been trying to do all year and just couldn't quite do it. And secondly, I was given strength and support to end a mesmerizing, backward-flowing relationship that I've been trying to end for months."
University and college organizations are indeed fulfilling an important mission— not as "religious clubs," or as forums for intellectual discussion or debate. They strive to express the vitality of that "primitive Christianity" See Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, p. 17. that our movement is committed to reinstating. The academic communities they serve can be and are being profoundly influenced for the better by the Christ light and Christ affection that orgs actively nurture and witness to. This true mission of organizations is something that demands and deserves our continual prayerful support.
Learning to love and enjoy one's family
Fifth of a series of articles illustrating how support of the church and utilization of its activities bless families.
As a child I always felt attracted to other families, which I found so much more interesting than my own. But Christian Science demanded that a truer, more spiritual sense of home and family be established in my own consciousness.
This has come about through studying Christian Science (including the Bible Lesson and the periodicals), as well as through prayer and spiritual purification. Serving in our branch church, as well as being a member of The Mother Church, also have helped me to cherish my family more. I now see that our Church leads us ever toward a more spiritual, hence happier, understanding of family.
At one point in college, I was tempted by peer pressure to spend unwise and unnecessary time outside the home, visiting friends who lived a far distance from my home. Yet their life style was different from mine. They were foreign students living with a family abroad. This situation became a clash that I wanted a way out of.
I was suddenly aware of the opportunity I had to develop a more vivid sense of fidelity and truthfulness toward my own family. I saw that I had a choice to stand for my God-given qualities. A statement by Mrs. Eddy was such an appropriate and comforting help: "Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections." The whole paragraph, with the marginal heading "Mutual freedom," was very helpful. It's from the chapter "Marriage" in Science and Health (p. 58). I found that such qualities as fidelity, confidence, and love were not restricted to husband-and-wife relationships, but apply to children-and-parent relationships as well.
Also from the above paragraph: "The narrowness and jealousy, which would confine a wife or a husband forever within four walls, will not promote the sweet interchange of confidence and love; but on the other hand, a wandering desire for incessant amusement outside the home circle is a poor augury for the happiness of wedlock."
Needless to say, the fifth commandment given by God to Moses is a blessing for families throughout the world: "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee" (Ex. 20: 12). Christian Science is still opening my eyes and heart to God's many ever-present blessings, like love, harmony, peace, security, joy; in a word, to the kingdom of heaven, the sweet idea of home that God provides.
There was real healing. Let me tell you how I now see the unique individuality of my charming family: Some years ago my father was considered by us children as unpleasant. We feared him and found it no fun to have him in the house. However, the truth that "perfect love casteth out fear" (I John 4: 18) freed me and enabled me to see how his unique sense of humor brings many occasions for rejoicing, for fun and happy times.
I am sincerely grateful to Christian Science and our Church for giving me a new light on my folks and also on my two brothers, who are not Christian Scientists but who are indeed the beloved children of God. (Author, who is from France, requested that name be withheld.)
[Journal, Sentinel, Herald Editorial Department has received several manuscripts for this series without an author's name. While some of the articles will appear without a name, it is necessary initially for the Department to identify the author. If you have sent an unidentified manuscript, a telephone call to The Church in Action Editor would be appreciated. Please call (617) 262-2300, Ext. 2469.]
Thanksgiving services worldwide
Thanksgiving, wherever and whenever observed, is an important occasion for Christian Scientists. It helps fill their hearts with gratitude to God for all the ways His presence has been felt, especially through honest seeking and prayer. The Thanksgiving service provided for in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy offers unique blessings for all Christian Science branch churches and societies around the world, not just those in the United States. This is so because gratitude for God is natural everywhere and because giving thanks is a basic, vital element of individual growth. Thanksgiving forwards our Church's mission of spreading the spiritual understanding of God that will heal and save the world. It contributes to the peace and progress of universal humanity.
Mrs. Eddy supported the decisions of branch churches in Europe and elsewhere to hold the Thanksgiving service. In 1903, for example, she wrote to students in London: "Your 'Thanksgiving Day,' instituted in England on New Year's Day, was a step in advance. It expressed your thanks, and gave to the 'happy New Year' a higher hint. You are not aroused to this action by the allurements of wealth, pride, or power; the impetus comes from above— it is moral, spiritual, divine" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 252).
When a Thanksgiving service is held by a branch outside the United States— and this is certainly encouraged—it may be held on any day of the year except Sunday.
The Church Activities Department of The Mother Church can help answer any question you may have about this service:
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Church Activities Department, A—161
Christian Science Center
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
Prayer helps a stranger
A Reading Room in the middle of Los Angeles had a display in the window for five weeks on the subject "Prayer." Normally the display is changed every two weeks, but the interest—shown by those both looking and buying—was so strong that the attendants held it over. Included in the display was a copy of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy opened to the Lord's Prayer, with its spiritual interpretation, and a copy of a Christian Science Sentinel that had a focus on prayer.
An attendant writes as follows: I don't think we have ever had so much response from a display as that one on "Prayer." We are in the area of a dozen or more churches in the core of Los Angeles, which has people of all races who are searching for a better life. We know that all individuals can relate to the truth in the Lord's Prayer, because all are, in fact, children of God. It is our job in the Reading Room to see this truth as demonstrable Science.
Following is one experience that resulted from the display and from the scientific prayer of the Reading Room attendants:
On a Friday morning a young woman from India came in and said "Will you pray for me?" I answered, "Of course, but you can pray effectively for yourself— right here, on the bus, as you walk along the boulevard, anywhere." The troubled woman was at the breaking point—she could not find a job, nor could her husband.
She began to cry, and so I asked her to sit down. We talked about how God had created each one of us and how He maintains us—and places us wherever we should be. And I did pray for her, with much compassion. She left happy and refreshed. And she started out with confidence and a smile on her face. I continued to pray, realizing that all of God's ideas are useful and fully utilized and that these truths governed this woman's experience.
She came back a week later and told us what had happened. She had gone to an agency that day, and they needed someone to do some typing. She worked all afternoon and received pay that day for current needs. Then the first of the next week she had three offers of steady employment! She accepted one, passed the test excellently, and was paid more than she expected.
This time we rejoiced together and gave God our thanks. She hugged me and cried for joy! The Christ Science had touched her life.
Reading Room's window to light
Like many another passer-by
I saw from the corner of my eye
the beckoning window,
but walked right on
without a thought that here might dawn
a world apart,
a world long sought,
a breaking day with promise fraught.
Other windows held for me
more interesting things to see.
Objects of fancy,
gadgets and toys
designed to attract and deliver joys.
Later, when chastened
and bowed in need
I stopped at that window one day to read.
The open books with gentle light
captured my thought, unveiled my sight.
My hand on the door,
a step inside,
and there a welcome warm and wide.
In that quiet room I read.
There my hungry heart was fed.
There my footsteps by Spirit led!
Field Assistants visit branch churches, societies, and groups worldwide
"The [Field Assistant] workshop on expanding our concept of Church and its place in the community was excellent! Much growth has taken place since then [and] the seeds planted there have begun to blossom forth. We are deeply grateful for the love and practical support of The Mother Church."
"I have thought of writing many times since the illuminating meeting. The Sunday School is flowering and unfolding. Most satisfying have been testimonies from parents expressing gratitude and thanks for the Sunday School and how their children are not only learning but using Christian Science. Some of these children are giving testimonies on Wednesday evening, bringing freshness to this service. This has been a big change from an almost nonexistent, unorganized Sunday School a year ago."
These condensed comments were sent to The Mother Church by branch churches in California and Maine, after workshops with a Field Assistant. Letters arrive each week containing similar fruitage. Many memberships are finding renewed purpose and joy by broadening their understanding of the spiritual idea of Church and its mission of redemption and healing. Glimpsing the beauty of Mary Baker Eddy's vision for the Church of Christ, Scientist, one is inspired to demonstrate it. Field Assistants trained by the Church Activities Department of The Mother Church have been meeting with memberships—large and small, urban and rural— whose one common desire is a shining demonstration of Church, as a gift to their communities.
Field Assistants are experienced practitioners ready to work with any church membership seeking more spiritual solutions for community and branch church needs. The specific church activities Mrs. Eddy outlined in the Manual of The Mother Church are freshly explored during these workshops.
These individuals are available, free of charge, to meet with branch churches, societies, and groups around the world. Inquiries or requests are always welcome. You may write or call:
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Church Activities Department, A-161
Field Assistant Activities
Christian Science Center
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
Phone: (617) 262-2300, Ext. 3553
You can help someone join
Helping others join The Mother Church is a very important part of Mother Church membership.
You can prepare by reaffirming in your own heart the blessings of membership— and by expecting opportunities to share the joy.
If you keep a few application forms on hand, you'll be ready to give one to anyone who asks you. Then you can help him or her become familiar with membership requirements. If the applicant asks you to be his or her approver, you can be the one who interviews, determines readiness, and makes sure the application is complete before you both sign it.
If you don't have application forms, they can be obtained from any Reading Room, practitioner, or branch church clerk. Or write directly to: The First Church of Christ, Scientist; Clerk's Office A172; Christian Science Center; Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115.
Christian Science Nurses Training
If you are a member of The Mother Church and want to be employed serving the Cause—and mankind—on a full-time basis, Christian Science nursing may be for you. A three-year training course given under the auspices of The Mother Church leads to a career in Christian Science nursing. Training sites are located throughout the United States, in Canada, and in Great Britain. Financial aid is available from The Mother Church to assist with student tuition in cases of need, but nursing students can earn a regular salary during their on-job training that is usually sufficient to enable them to meet tuition costs. For further information write: The First Church of Christ, Scientist; Practitioners and Nursing Activities Department, A-151; Christian Science Center; Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115.
A continuing invitation
If you would like to write articles or poetry for the Journal, Sentinel, and Herald— or metaphysical articles for The Home Forum page of the Monitor—the Editors would be glad to receive them. The periodicals depend on articles contributed by members of The Mother Church and we are always interested in healing metaphysics written in lively, contemporary style. Testimonies are invited from members as well as those who haven't yet joined The Mother Church. Seasonal material should reach us six months prior to publication date.
A few guidelines may help you and can be obtained by writing to:
The Christian Science Publishing
Society
Journal, Sentinel, and Herald
Editorial Department
One Norway Street
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
All contributions accepted for publication become the sole property of The Christian Science Publishing Society.
Funds to help branches with building-related projects
Many branches of The Mother Church needing assistance with building projects have qualified for financial help from The Mother Church.
The Mother Church is grateful to be able to provide this assistance for buying or building edifices and for enlarging, altering, or refurbishing existing buildings, including Sunday Schools and Reading Rooms.
To receive a copy of the guidelines and a questionnaire, the executive boards of churches and societies may write to:
Michael A. West, Treasurer, A-62
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Christian Science Center
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
