Editorial May 13, 1905 Issue

Preparation

Archibald McLellan

We are frequently asked to write something in the nature of advice regarding the selection of Readers in the branch churches, but we do not feel that it is within our province to do this, and if it were, we should be more than doubtful of our ability to decide questions which seem to tax the best thought of those to whom this problem is of immediate concern in connection with their individual work. We believe, however, that the repetition of an editorial which appeared in the Sentinel of December 25, 1902, will help some of the branch churches whose Reader's term of office will shortly expire, and we therefore republish it 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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May 13, 1905
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