Article July 23, 1910 Issue

PREACHING THE GOSPEL

FRANKLIN BLAKE.

The command of the Master, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," was intended not alone for the few disciples to whom it was spoken, but applies equally to all, as Christ Jesus is our great Exemplar and the Wayshower for all mankind. From the moment that he had fulfilled the Jewish law of obligation to parents, Jesus began to devote his entire life to healing and teaching, his first public declaration being the good news that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. As he came to do "the will of the Father," it is evident that this command to preach and to heal is from God, divine Mind, and that it rests upon all. This conclusion is logical under the summing up of the commandments which Jesus made, requiring us to love our neighbor as ourselves, for this involves the sharing with others of the good which has come to us. It is perfectly natural, therefore, for those who have in some measure entered into the kingdom, to desire that others shall receive the same blessing with themselves.

Can the Master's command be obeyed today in letter and in spirit? Most certainly, or it would not have been laid upon us, for Love never requires of us more than we are able to perform. In Jesus' day teaching was almost wholly by word of mouth. In later days the Christian church interpreted this command to mean that missionaries should be sent to preach the gospel to unenlightened nations. Today the most widely effective means is undoubtedly the printed page. The vast amount of literature of all kinds which is now being published and read, indicates the desire of the human mind for enlightenment. Through the wisdom and foresight of our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, practical and efficient means for obeying the Master's command are provided in the Christian Science periodicals. The publication of these has been entrusted to The Christian Science Publishing Society, which, inasmuch as it has been a strong support to all the other branches of the church work, might be called, to use Paul's simile, the right arm of that working "body," The Church of Christ, Scientist. Its work, its responsibility, and its privilege belong, therefore, to every enlisted Christian Scientist, and may be shared by all who are in any way interested in the betterment of mankind.

The constantly enlarging operations of the Society clearly indicate that it was founded and is being managed on a sound basis, and nothing less than this would be either Christian Science or common sense. The periodicals which were from time to time established by Mrs. Eddy have not only been of inestimable value to their readers, but the longer established ones, having each in turn won their way to self-support, have contributed largely to the support of the newer ones and also to the work of the Cause in general. Today the periodicals are going to every part of the world: to the Arctic circle in Alaska, where they are sometimes sent by registered mail to insure delivery; to Mexico and Brazil in the tropics; to Russia, Egypt, and the southernmost points of Africa; and eastward and westward, encircling the globe.

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PREACHING THE GOSPEL

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