Article July 18, 1925 Issue

Guarding a World

LUCY HAYS REYNOLDS

Within the channels which The Mother Church provides for serving humanity is the work of the Committees on Publication. In its wonderful safeguarding of the Christian Science movement, this work hovers over and helps to protect every Christian Science activity, and is thus of vital concern to every individual Christian Scientist. Through its instrumentality, as provided for in the Manual, the phases of human thought—domestic, commercial, legislative, political, and religious—are being touched by the truth at the point of their outward resistance to Truth. Well might these Committees be described as walking in the footsteps of the Nazarene, whom Mrs. Eddy describes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 162) as stepping suddenly before the people and their schools of philosophy; Gnostic, Epicurean, and Stoic; and then she goes on to say, "He must stem these rising angry elements, and walk serenely over their fretted, foaming billows."

In thus dealing with the turbulent currents of public thought, in going out to other folds and meeting them on their plane of thought, when it is often impossible for the Christian Science practitioner, or our churches, or other activities of our movement to do so, the Committees are performing a double work. Not only are they protecting and making safe the carrying on of the activities in our own ranks, but at the same time they are doing pioneer work in unawakened states of thought. In dealing with material systems and state laws, the Committees go out to aggressive and antagonistic states of thought, proclaiming Truth so winningly as to disarm prejudice and awaken respect and interest wherever possible.

To-day the public is better acquainted with Christian Science than ever before. There is less general antagonism directed toward it, and fewer articles are appearing in the press against it. In dealing with contagious diseases and other matters pertaining to medical control, Christian Science workers have much less to contend with than formerly. The world is beginning to understand Mrs. Eddy better as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and public recognition is being given her as a divinely inspired woman. These beneficial results are in no small measure due to the work of the Committees on Publication. Although the Committees representing the Cause of Christian Science in their respective states are under the direct supervision of The Mother Church, and are not specifically responsible to the local fields, yet, in guarding the rights of Christian Scientists against restrictions by public authority, in being a means of harmonious contact with the press, and in giving helpful information on important occasions, they are of great service to the branch churches. Through their spirit of Christian forbearance, broad charitableness, and tact, deep-rooted prejudices have often been healed unconsciously, and those who had been enemies of Christian Science have been made its friends.

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