Editorial May 13, 1911 Issue

READERS OF BRANCH CHURCHES

Archibald McLellan

There is a question of "supply" which seems to confront many branch churches when it comes to the choice of those who shall fill the important office of Readers, and within the last few weeks there have come to us from various parts of the field requests to "say something in the Sentinel" on this particular phase of the problem. Inasmuch as these requests have their origin in an earnest desire to be loyal to the teachings of Christian Science, we venture to repeat, at the risk of wearying some of our readers who are fortunate enough to be exempt from this particular difficulty, an editorial dealing with this question that first appeared in these columns several years ago, but which is equally applicable today. It is as follows:—

"We are informed that some of the smaller churches, when electing new Readers, have been impressed with a lack of available material within their own ranks, and have felt compelled to draw upon other fields, a condition that should not exist after three years of active public work. The principal lesson to be drawn from this seeming lack of material is that there is need of more specific as well as more general preparation for every branch of Christian Science work. While the healing of the sick is the most important and convincing evidence of the truth of Christian Science, there is other work which must be performed by those who have the welfare of our cause at heart.

"Christian Scientists, in these early days of denominational growth and expansion, should realize that the call, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." may come to them at any moment, and they should be prepared for it. No matter how small in membership a church may be, nor how limited the experience of its members in public affairs, it should have within itself material for all its needs. For the same reason that Christian Scientists should be ever ready to heal the sick, they should be ever ready to preach the gospel. Neither can be properly done without earnest preparation and diligent study. Those without training for public work of this character, should know that it is never too late to acquire the necessary preparation.

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