When our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, founded the Christian Science church with its many activities which now extend throughout the world, she established the most efficient means for the demonstration of unity among men. In that organization, to use the language of its Leader in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 518), "the rich in spirit" are found helping "the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father." Believers in the teachings of Christ Jesus, organized for mutual helpfulness, constituted the Apostolic Church. One Bible commentary says, "The word Church is used here to express the idea of an organized body of believers, without regard to the form of institution under which they are associated, whether ancient or modern."

In the twelfth chapter of his epistle to the Romans, Paul shows how Christians are "one body in Christ," comparing men considered collectively—if we may thus refer to the church—to the human body with its many functions, all working together harmoniously, each having its own peculiar service to perform. Again, in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul says: "If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? ... But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." If, then, we are "one body in Christ," one member of this body cannot profit at the expense of another; the good of each is the good of all; and the good of the whole blesses each individual part. How, then, ought our interest in mankind to increase, knowing that another's good is our good as well! How grateful ought we to be for the church as we have it to-day, knowing its mission on earth, and that it is but a figure of Mind's infinite manifestation, enabling men to express in some degree the one God in His allness.

No Christian Scientist, having such a vision of Church, would allow himself to grow lukewarm regarding church activities. Perhaps his part in this organized work is a small one to-day, but it is none the less needed. Our Leader has said, "A grain of Christian Science does wonders formortals, so omnipotent is Truth" (Science and Health, p. 449). Shall we, then, withhold this grain, which we possess to glorify God and bless mankind? Every least detail of Christian service, if performed with consecration and love, blesses "him that gives and him that takes."

If no particular function of church activity has been assigned us, are we then without a part to perform? Far from it! Every individual member should be an indispensable factor in our movement. His thoughts, abiding "in the secret place of the most High," filled with love for God and man, help to make of our services the "house of prayer," which Jesus said the Father's house should be. No belief of the world or materiality should enter our consciousness in those sacred hours, if our services are to be places of healing for the sick, the sorrowing, the sinful. Who would not help to maintain that healing atmosphere? It is each one's individual privilege to do so.

In Article VIII, Section 5, of the Manual of The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy has provided that "the prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively." The great significance of this By-law came to the writer during an hour of need. She seemed to have been under a mental cloud for some days, and when Wednesday evening came, the temptation was very strong to remain at home. But feeling that our services were divinely provided for our good, and that to be present at them whenever possible was a privilege as well as a duty, she went to the evening meeting. Before the opening hymn, as she sat in silent thought, the words of the By-law above quoted came to her with a new meaning, and she saw how through obedience to this rule of our church one might lose the sense of self in love for mankind. A deeper desire to give was awakened within her as she remembered that every true thought is a prayer. As the congregation rose to sing, it seemed as though all voices were merged in one, in prayer and praise to God. The "I" of the hymns meant the congregation collectively, and every declaration of truth during the meeting was for all present. And so throughout that inspiring service, more and more of God's love and tender care for all of His children was unfolded, every cloud of sense was lifted, and a new understanding of the oneness of man, as God's reflection, was attained.

What has been said of the duty of individual Christian Scientists at the church services may likewise be said of their attitude towards Christian Science lectures. These are activities of the church universal, and are grand opportunities to bless the stranger that is within our gates. Our visitors should go to their homes after a lecture feeling that they have, indeed, been in the presence of the Most High and that they have also been among God's people. Jesus said, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, ... and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

Nor can we forget at this hour the periodicals, which our Leader established in stately order, one after another, as she saw the need for them. These periodicals in their unity constitute a vital function of the Church of Christ, Scientist, to-day. Through their means all Christian Scientists, and as many others as read them, are daily being encouraged, inspired, and strengthened. Words cannot express the Christian Scientist's gratitude for them as they go out into the world to-day, preparing the hearts of men for the reception of the Christ-message, and bringing nearer the time when, in the words of our Master, all shall "be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."