Article June 1, 1929 Issue

Our Duty to Our Leader

ALICE MCCRAY MERRIELL

When Mrs. Eddy designated in certain By-Laws in the Manual of The Mother Church what should be part of the daily mental work of every member of this church, it is probable that she meant to indicate the special importance of these By-Laws. One such By-Law, entitled "Alertness to Duty" (p. 42), reads: "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind. By his works he shall be judged,—and justified or condemned."

Our duty both to God and to mankind was clearly defined by Christ Jesus in his sublimely simple answer to the scribe, recorded in the twelfth chapter of Mark's Gospel: "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Nothing could be plainer or more comprehensive.

Our duty to our Leader, however, is not defined for us, but is left to unfold gradually in the thought of each Christian Scientist. Early in our experience joyous service in the Cause of Christian Science, through the various activities of The Mother Church and its branches, appears to be the most practical method of expressing our gratitude for our Leader's life-work. And, indeed, there is great blessing and happiness in knowing that one is helping to carry on the activities which were so vitally dear to the heart of the beloved Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

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