Article August 2, 1924 Issue

Church Attendance

GEORGE H. READ

Probably every community in which there is located a Christian Science church or society has developed a far greater interest in the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy than is indicated by the number of people who attend Christian Science services. The large attendance at nearly every Christian Science lecture is an indication that those interested in this subject are not by any means limited to those who are usually to be seen at the Sunday services and Wednesday evening testimony meetings. Indeed, even the lectures do not reveal all who may be studying the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and the other writings of Mrs. Eddy, in conjunction with the Bible. But just as we know that "a belief in Truth is better than a belief in error" (Science and Health, p. 297), so do we know that interest in Christian Science, even though not yet manifested by church attendance, is better for the individual than old disdain or complete apathy on the subject.

Those, however, who have experienced the many blessings of regular church attendance know that it offers a means for spiritual growth that can never be so fully attained without it. And while the charity which our Leader has urged upon Christian Scientists in their attitude towards all mankind will protect us from the mistake of criticizing our friends or relatives whose interest in the healing truth may not yet be evidenced in church attendance, yet that same charity can also prompt us to be ever lovingly ready to point out the advantages of such attendance when the opportunity is presented. We can know that the right way in which this is to be done will be shown us with each opportunity.

The importance of attendance at Christian Science church services as an aid to the healing of physical discords has been shown to the writer in many ways. One especially interesting experience is recalled. A student had experienced the healing power of Christian Science some years before, but had made no effort to become interested in the services of the local Christian Science church, and ultimately even discontinued reading the literature. Later efforts to obtain Christian Science help for physical discords seemed to be fruitless, and the sufferer turned to materia medica. Results under the medical treatment for a time seemed to be quite satisfactory, but a constantly increasing reliance on medicine finally brought forth a physician's verdict that nothing but a very serious operation could relieve the trouble. At last, in desperation, the patient again turned to Christian Science, and in partial recognition of the former error, decided to make a more earnest effort to study the Christian Science textbook and its other literature. Relief was quickly experienced, and the mental as well as the physical improvement was quite gratifying for some time. But several months later much discouragement was voiced because the trouble had not been completely overcome, although the reading of the literature had continued and a practitioner had been kept steadily on the case. A question as to whether church services had been attended brought forth the information that no effort whatever had been made in that direction.

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