Article May 19, 1923 Issue

From the Directors

The Christian Science Board of Directors

On the occasion of the dedication of The Mother Church, our Leader wrote, "Owing to the time consumed in travel, et cetera, I cannot be present in propria persona at our annual communion and the dedication in June next of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist. But I shall be with my blessed church 'in spirit and in truth'" (Miscellany, p. 25). Even so, it is not expected that every member of The Mother Church will attend the Annual Meeting in person, but it is hoped that all will avail themselves of the privilege of being present in spirit, and every member may read with profit the printed reports of the meeting in the periodicals.

As the time for the meeting approaches, it is helpful to ask ourselves what our Leader's purpose was in providing for the Annual Meeting at which reports are made by officers and members of the church. It marks the close of a year's work and the beginning of a new year, with all that this signifies. It is not a time for self-gratulation, individual or collective, but for honest self-examination and renewed consecration. It is a time for gratitude to God for His care of His own, and for new and higher resolves of obedience to His commands. It affords the opportunity to review a year's work, to see how much of the great mission of the Christian Science church to the world has been accomplished, and to consider what are the next steps to be taken. In the words of our Leader (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 98), "We come to strengthen and perpetuate ouur organizations and institutions; and to find strength in union,—strength to build up, through God's right hand, that pure and undefiled religion whose Science demonstrates God and the perfectibility of man."

When, in 1908, our Leader abolished the communion season of The Mother Church, she spoke of the danger that it "might in time lose its sacredness and merge into a meeting for greetings" (Miscellany, p. 142). Mortal mind would like to make of this Annual Meeting a great social gathering, in which the deep spiritual significance of the occasion might be lost. Each member who attends, therefore, needs to watch lest this evil work be accomplished in him. Those not attending the meeting may realize their unity with its blessings as they lay hold of its spiritual significance. The privilege of being present at an Annual Meeting of The Mother Church also carries with it the responsibility to bring to the meeting and take away from it only such thoughts as will help to fulfill its holy purpose. Like the disciples on the day of Pentecost, we should be "all with one accord in one place." Then from this meeting there will go forth a spiritual influence which will strengthen the hands and hearts of every worker in the movement.

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