Article January 15, 1916 Issue

A Practical Beginning

AMY C. FARISS

As human footsteps which lead onward and upward to higher action and wider usefulness appear to follow along a somewhat similar path, a new church-member is likely to be confronted by the universal question, How may I serve our cause most wisely now that I am a living stone in the spiritual structure known as a Christian Science church? From the Church Manual and from previous study such a one has already learned something of what his mental attitude should be in regard to the activities of the movement; but the desire for a definite place in which from day to day one's usefulness may be outwardly expressed, presses insistently upon the thought. To be a Sunday school teacher, to be appointed on committee work, to be one of the library staff, or in the distribution work; in short, to be what is usually spoken of as an active member, holds an important place in the new member's vision. That the work is already in able hands does not quiet the desire for actual participation in it.

One may read in our Church Manual (Art. VIII, Sect. 15), "God . . . supplies within the wide channels of The Mother Church dutiful and sufficient occupation for all its members," and in the Bible Jesus' admonition, "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest," but "the laborers are few." Again and again one may read and ponder these inspired words and still for the time being fail to see just how he can obey. At least this was the experience of one church-member. Being the only Christian Scientist in a locality which was rather remotely situated, she had few acquaintances within the church; and as she imperfectly realized even the mental help, which might have been more freely given, she seemed lost in her new, bright world, its joys were dimmed because no familiar hand or loving eye sought or noted the still figure faithfully in place Sunday after Sunday, Wednesday evening after Wednesday evening. Where is the Master's work? she cried. Where are the white fields, the needed laborers, the "dutiful and sufficient occupation"?

"Desire is prayer," our Leader tells us (Science and Health, p. 1). So in time a pair of surprised eyes opened to behold the field ready for harvest, the work laid out. As is always the case, since every advancing command waits patiently for us to awake and respond, there had never been a time, after the responsibility of church-membership had been assumed, when constant, needful, helping, and helpful action had not been provided. The difficulty in seeing it had been due partly to the fact that self had wished suddenly to arrive at some busy position which gave opportunity to mingle genially with other workers.

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