Article September 23, 1922 Issue

An Expression of Gratitude

MAUDE A. MAY

THE Christian Science churches and reading, rooms, which have been established throughout the world in accordance with the Manual of The Mother Church, and which are still being established to meet the ever increasing growth of this movement, are a source of inspiration and comfort to every Christian Scientist. Possibly none are in position to appreciate them more than those who, perhaps, after long hours on a railway train, or after a busy day at business, or when they turn to them from the noise and bustle of a crowded hotel, which may be their home for the time, find quiet and true spiritual refreshment in these places which have been so beautifully provided for them. As travelers go from city to city, seeking these reading rooms and churches, and finding them nearly always in good buildings and in the best districts, then do they begin to realize something of the vastness of the Christian Science organization.

One of these travelers has had the opportunity many times during a continuous trip of three months' duration to use the reading rooms, and to attend services in more than a score of branch churches. She is grateful for the unity of purpose in these churches, grateful for the uniform Lesson-Sermons, which make it possible for all to have the same helpful sermon, whether in The Mother Church in Boston or in a branch church in any other city or town. She is grateful to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for her messages and letters to branch churches, which have been given to us in some of her books.

The thought of this student was lifted to a higher sense of the meaning of church, and the responsibilities of its members, as she read the special message written with such love and tenderness by our Leader (usually for its dedication) to whatever church this student was about to visit. This brought to her something of the love that was in the heart of Mrs. Eddy for all branch churches. Having been a member of the local congregation of The Mother Church for several years and not having attended a branch church during that time, she was impressed with the dear significance of these words as announced by the First Readers in all branch churches: "This church is a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts." The words came to her with a new and deeper meaning than ever before, and she pondered the definition of the word "branch." She found her answer in the words recorded by John, where he tells of Jesus' talk with his disciples about the vine and the branches, when he said: "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.... As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." She understood better the great wisdom of our Leader in calling all the Christian Science churches in the world branches of The Mother Church. That these churches are abiding in the vine and are awake to their responsibilities as branches was proved in many expressions of loyalty and obedience. The evidences of loyalty on every hand rejoice the heart of every sincere student of Christian Science. Especially were they appreciated by one whose duty it was at that time to be far from home and her special field of labor. These visits to the churches and reading rooms were beacon lights that brightened her path, and helped her to find and reflect more light and love.

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