Editorial May 20, 1911 Issue

"HE THAT SEEKETH FINDETH"

Archibald McLellan

A few days ago one of the workers at headquarters in Boston received a letter from a friend which propounded a question pertaining to the conducting of the services in branch churches. A day or two later there came another letter from the same friend, from which we take the liberty to quote this pertinent sentence: "Had I been studying our Manual as I ought, there would have been no necessity for my letter of Monday regarding the Bible selections." This second letter was received before the answer to the first letter had reached the writer, consequently the value of its sentiment is enhanced by its spontaneity. It confirms what many other thoughtful Christian Scientists have found to be true in their own experience; namely, that the Manual of The Mother Church is sufficient authority for the guidance of church-members in all their relations to the Christian Science movement and to each other.

Mrs. Eddy epitomizes her answer to the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" in one terse sentence: "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit" (Science and Health, p. 495), and this rule may safely be assumed to apply to the Church Manual as well as to her other writings; but most of all, it must be applied to the effort to "imbibe the spirit" of Christian Science which pervades all her writings. Every Christian Scientist will agree upon the truth of the statement, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Ibid., p. 494), and we believe they will also agree that these needs are met through the understanding which comes by faithful study and application of our Leader's teachings. Experience has shown, as in the instance above cited, that a very large proportion if not all of the questions which are asked by the field could have been answered by those who propounded them had they first carefully sought the answer in Science and Health and the Manual. In other words, these questions are simply asking how Christian Science is to be made operative in daily living, and no better rules can be given for this purpose than are laid down in these two books.

Our Leader foresaw the need for guidance and orderly procedure in the conduct of this great movement, and we know full well the years of her devoted service,—"how much time and toil" were required, as she has told us, "to establish the stately operations of Christian Science" (Ibid., p. 464),—to the end that its object should be fulfilled, till the divine will should be done "in earth, as it is in heaven." She realized, as only one could to whom wide experience had been given, the many devices with which error would seek to lure the unwary from the narrow path of duty, and throughout her writings we find the same loving thoughtfulness and wise provision for every possible need that could arise.

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