Thanks to Lyon Osborn for his article, “Publishing Profitably” (p. 18), in the December 2010 Journal on the activities and directions at The Christian Science Publishing Society. I was struck by the statement that currently fewer than half of Mother Church members subscribe to the periodicals.
Referenced in the article was Article VIII, Section 14, of the Church Manual dealing with “Church Periodicals.” I turned to it and was struck by the provision: “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; . . .” (Mary Baker Eddy, p. 44). Over the years our family of multiple Mother Church members had been content to share one subscription to The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Sentinel, and Journal. Considering this By-Law anew, I sensed that our Leader, perhaps, was requiring more of an individual commitment in support of the periodicals.
Giving some additional thought and prayer to this By-Law has prompted me to enter my own personal subscription to each of the periodicals (plus a few more items referenced at the subscription website). The periodicals have given so many inspirations and insights to me over the years that it just seemed natural to take this supportive step.
