Editorial November 13, 1902 Issue

Individual Demonstration

IT is an axiom that every individual must work out his own salvation, and this axiom is applicable to Christian Science churches as well as to individuals. Mere personal opinion cannot be accepted as a reliable guide, and for us to pursue a certain line of action for no better reason than that others have pursued it, is to fall far short of demonstration. The following extract from a letter recently received from a friend in the Field is much to the point, and we believe that its publication will prove helpful:—

"There is, to my sense, an evil abroad in the land. Instead of each branch taking the Bible, Science and Health, and the Mother Church Manual, and working its problem out by the light of revelation Scientifically, there is a strong tendency to write to different branch churches and see what they are going to do about the new By-law, when they will adopt it and elect Readers, and whether they will elect Readers for one year or three years. The effect of this way of working is to my mind very demoralizing to sound church government and also to individual growth and demonstration. The circumstances and conditions attending different branch churches are so varied, and their demonstrations so unequal, that I do not see how such a course can be helpful, but contrariwise harmful and confusing."

We know that the thought which prompted the Psalmist to say, "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it," must be the basis for all our work, and that our appeal for guidance must be to infinite Mind, and not to mere human opinion. M.

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