Article June 20, 1908 Issue

A REAL INVESTMENT

REV. WILLIAM P. MC KENZIE.

An unusual investment opportunity is being presented to Christian Scientists,—an investment so good that its value should be self-evident, and yet it will not make returns to self-interest. When you buy a book the investment is fixed, and you are satisfied (if the book will bear reading a few times) that you have a satisfactory return. When you subscribe to a charity you hope that good results will justify the investment. Likewise when a church is built the donors expect that the advantage to humanity at large will be sufficient interest upon the investment to satisfy them. Every one who gave to the fund for the building of The Mother Church feels as if a treasure had been made secure beyond the peradventure of the changing market. As there are some who regret that they did not have the opportunity to give then, an opportunity now appears to have a share in providing a new building for the work of The Christian Science Publishing Society.

The Mother Church belongs beneficially to the people. Its edifice is hospitable to all, and the activities of its organization extend to all lands. The Christian Science Publishing Society is related beneficially to the Church, and therefore contributes to the welfare of all the members thereof. As the Manual requires, its revenues are paid semiannually into the treasury of The Mother Church, thereby assisting it to support its ever-increasing activities. The Publishing Society has never been properly housed. Buildings intended for dwelling-houses have been occupied with inconvenience, yet the scope and usefulness of the Society have made steady progress, and its service to the Field has been increasingly appreciated. It seems reasonable that some needless difficulties should be eliminated by the provision of an adequate and well-arranged building, so that the increasing work may be rightly done. By whom should this building be provided? Naturally by the members of The Mother Church—as naturally as that they should build a church edifice and consider it a good investment.

To any one who is interested in the spread of the knowledge of healing, the proposal to enlarge the publishing house facilities should make instant appeal. The Christian Science periodicals encircle the earth with a continual testimony meeting. The Sentinel publishes week by week its six or eight columns of grateful testimonies, and for a quarter of a century—since 1883 when Mrs. Eddy founded it, and not only edited it but supported it—the Journal has furnished its continual proof that Christian Science heals the sick, tutors the ignorant, reforms the unwise, and, as they proclaim, gives to them "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." For the German people Der Herold repeats the story of redemption. These periodicals are our missionaries, if you like, and how easily they may be sent. All the machinery of transport built up by ages of struggle with commercial problems, every time-hasting expedient of printer and postman, also the devotion of those who serve the Cause as editors and publishers, and highest of all, the careful oversight of our Leader, who never seems to weary in well-doing,—all these are elements in this missionary service whereby the truth can be made known to earth's extremest bound. The periodicals announce the good news, and ere long those who are ready to listen have been induced to study the text-book, and the Quarterly Bible Lessons are in use, guiding the student into the truth which is harmoniously brought out in the Bible and Science and Health. What better blessings can we wish for all men than such teaching? "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance."

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A REAL INVESTMENT

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