In the sixteenth chapter of Mark we find the words, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." These words were addressed by Jesus to his disciples, who, it is noteworthy, were not urged or besought to do this, but commanded; it was a solemn duty to be performed, no choice being left to them if they were to be true disciples. Recognizing the God-given authority for the command, the disciples unquestioningly obeyed. It is then no cause for wonder that such preaching was always accompanied by the healing of the multitudes who heard it, of all their infirmities, want, and woe. Later the demonstration of Truth's power was lost sight of, the letter was preached without the spirit of this command being obeyed, and it remained thus until the Christ-healing was restored through the discovery of Christian Science by Mrs. Eddy.

Christian Science is to-day the gospel, in scientific form, that was preached by Jesus' disciples; and Christian Scientists are accordingly subject to the same command to preach the gospel, with "signs following;" they are messengers of Truth, or bearers of glad tidings. The glad tidings, the message of Truth to this age, is to be found in the inspired writings of our revered Leader, and in the periodical literature established by her. One of the ways and means of carrying this message to a sense weary and peace seeking world is through the distribution of the authorized Christian Science publications. That this literature has reached countless numbers of suffering human beings to whom it has brought better conditions in every conceivable way, must be admitted.

Distribution work cannot be done in a haphazard, thoughtless fashion, nor is it a hobby, or something to be done only when convenient. Experience has proved that it is not an unconcerted, individual undertaking, but that it properly belongs to and is an essential part of church activity. Distribution work to be most effective must be done through properly organized effort and executive administration. Christian Scientists learn through the study and application of Mrs. Eddy's teachings to avail themselves of the best and highest in everything, so there is reasonable ground for expecting distribution work to be conducted along the best possible lines. To fulfill its purpose, the organization must be well balanced in its inception; it should conduct its affairs according to the best business methods and most up-to-date practice, demand and enjoy the unqualified loyalty and support of its members, use prudence in the selection of these, and assign duties intelligently to them. The members of such an organization should be punctual in attending to their duties, ever interested in that which has been allotted them to do, and more than all else have the welfare of the organization rather than personal interests or self primarily at heart. In a word, the motive and objective of the whole structure must be "service." This word represents everything constructive and progressive entering into the life of an organization; without this kind of service an undertaking is doomed, and will sooner or later cease to exist.

Peculiarly applicable to distribution work and to this idea of service with its component factors, as well as a reference to its potent effects, are these words of Mrs. Eddy's, found on page 1 of Science and Health: "Prayer, watching, and working, combined with self-immolation, are God's gracious means for accomplishing whatever has been successfully done for the Christianization and health of mankind." One of the life-giving elements of service, and all that pertains thereto, is cooperation of the members of an organization,—not of a willing and energetic few, but of the entire membership. Cooperation could be described as "the concurrent action of a combination of units, which, in their respective places, produce a perfect cycle well fitted for its designed purpose, but any of which disconnected or missing, leave the cycle incomplete, impaired in efficiency, and limited in scope and action." Thus it signifies the harmonious working together of a body with singleness of purpose, in a common cause, toward a definite end.

This conception of cooperation requires each member to realize that in the proportion his own work in this branch of church activity is well done, will the success of the whole be assured, and in the same ratio will the whole be tendering and rendering loving service to mankind. Reasoning from this basis, it would seem that a quota of responsibility for the progress and growth of distribution work devolves upon each member.

The import of harmonizing mutual interests, so necessary to service, the keystone of success in distribution work, is clearly set forth on page 58 of Science and Health, where Mrs. Eddy says: "Unity of spirit gives new pinions to joy, or else joy's drooping wings trail in dust. Ill-arranged notes produce discord. Tones of the human mind may be different, but they should be concordant in order to blend properly. Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity,—these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute individually and collectively true happiness, strength, and permanence."