Article November 4, 1911 Issue

OUR PRIVILEGE AND DUTY

MABELLE DENTON SMITH

In the Church Manual, under "Extract from a letter in 'Miscellaneous Writings' by Mary Baker Eddy," we are told, relative to the rules and by-laws, that "they were not arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands, such as one person might impose on another. They were impelled by a power not one's own, were written at different dates, and as the occasion required." It is highly important, therefore, that all who wish to progress in the knowledge of Christian Science and do good healing work be thoroughly familiar with and imbibe the spirit of our by-laws. In Article VIII, Section 14, we are told: "It shall be the privilege and duty of every member, who can afford it, to subscribe for the periodicals which are the organs of this church." As we are obedient to this by-law it helps to destroy a sense of fear, of limitation, and it awakens thought to rely more wholly on God.

Possibly my experience along this line may be helpful to some who are laboring under a belief that they cannot afford to subscribe to the periodicals. I had been studying Christian Science a few months, had derived much benefit from it, and enjoyed reading the articles in the Sentinel and Journal. (These were loaned me by a friend, and occasionally I purchased a copy for myself.) One day, however, when a friend suggested that I subscribe for the Sentinel, I told her I did not feel I could afford it. Nothing more was said on the subject, but when I returned home I began to question the reply I had made, having at this time reached a point in Science where I knew it was absolutely necessary to be honest with myself as well as with others. I then realized that I was robbing myself, denying the power of God to meet my needs, and that my reply had not been an honest one, for I well knew that to subscribe for the Sentinel meant no real deprivation.

Along with the belief of financial lack came the argument that I did not have time to read these periodicals,—another phase of limitation. Again I questioned the trend of thought and decided that I could not afford to be without the periodicals. Heretofore much money had been spent on doctors, hospitals, and drug bills, and much time had been lost in sickness, to say nothing of the suffering. Christian Science was meeting my every need along these lines; the articles in the Sentinel and Journal had done much to uplift my thought, they had given me a clearer understanding of God; Truth was healing me, and was making me a happier and better woman. The result of this inward questioning was that I not only subscribed for the Sentinel and Journal for myself, but considered it a privilege to include a subscription to the Sentinel for a friend.

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