Editorial June 13, 1908 Issue

OUR COMMUNION

Archibald McLellan

The approach of the Communion season naturally turns the thoughts of Christian Scientists toward that "joyful meeting" of our Lord with his disciples "on the shore of the Galilean Sea" (Science and Health, p. 34), and they are impelled to inquire of themselves what progress they have made heavenward since last they met together to commemorate "this spiritual meeting with our Lord" (Ibid., p. 35).

Our Leader has said that "a condition precedent to communion with Spirit is the gain of spiritual life" (Ibid., p. 72), and it is incumbent upon every Christian Scientist at this time to ask himself what measure of spiritual life he has attained, what he has done toward bringing into universal operation the Golden Rule of conduct which our Master laid down for his followers, and what he has accomplished toward the ultimate destruction of all sin and disease. Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them," and this is the test by which the work of all who take his name must stand or fall.

It is not be supposed, however, that Christian Scientists who join in the public Communion service of their Church claim to have achieved righteousness at this time, but rather that they are honestly endeavoring to be obedient to the tenets of their faith; that they are praying for that Mind to be in them which was also in Christ Jesus. They know that the real communion with God, Spirit, is not in the outward form, but that it is the constant prayer of faith, even if unexpressed in words, which acknowledges but one God, and man in His image and likeness.

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