When Moses went up into Mount Sinai in obedience to God's command, as recorded in Exodus, "the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai." Afterward Moses heard God's voice, and the revelation of the voice supplied him with comfort, inspiration, and guidance in his great future work.

Among the first of those sacred commands concerning the children of Israel given at that time were the words, "Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them;" and this is the first record we have of a church organization or of a church edifice. The tabernacle that was then constructed with so much care and labor and sacrifice was long afterward lovingly referred to by Stephen in his remarkable defense as "the church in the wilderness."

In many ways the history of the building of "the church in the wilderness" is being repeated to-day all over the world by earnest bands of Christian Scientists who are organizing Christian Science churches and societies, and building church edifices for the purpose of providing suitable places in which to carry on needful, legitimate, Christian Science organization work.

Those who have had the privilege of doing pioneer Christian Science organization work, or of helping with the various activities connected with the building of a Christian Science church edifice, know what a privilege it is, and how one may grow through the experience when one is earnest and humble and loving, especially if one remembers that the reason for church organization and its promotion is the same as that given to the children of Israel, "That I [God] may dwell among them."

The church organization of that time succeeded in holding the children of Israel together through all of their difficulties and trials; and their work of building and protecting the tabernacle did much toward purifying their thought and actions by its demands, first for reverence for God, and then for the harmonious association of fellow workers. For these same reasons, our church organizations to-day bind us together in sweet fellowship and helpful service; and they thus promote our growth in the understanding of God and in the achievement of the healing work as taught in Christian Science.

These organizations often have simple beginnings, even the realization of the gentle words of the Saviour, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Branch churches and societies often have their inception in the homes of earnest students, where each Sunday a few seekers gather, and the Lesson-Sermon as set forth in the Christian Science Quarterly is read, and perhaps hymns are sung. And because God dwells in the midst of this activity, these simple beginnings are blessed; and so the organization of Christian Science churches and societies goes on, and the building of Christian Science church edifices continues.

Sometimes the difficulties and trials of our own immediate branch church organizations may cause us to feel that we, too, have but a "church in the wilderness;" but it is encouraging and inspiring to think of Mrs. Eddy's labors in organization work, and of the early organization of The Mother Church with but twenty-six members, as compared to its scope and activity to-day. We should look beyond our own circle of organization activities, and see the world-wide effect of Christian Science teachings. Then we shall be able to overcome the sense of "wilderness," and hold thought to truer standards.

There may be those here and there who are tempted to believe church organization unnecessary to growth and progress. It may even be thought that greater understanding of Christian Science and its purpose can be achieved outside the fold by evading the needful activity on the plea that the time and effort thereby consumed would be better spent pursuing alone one's studies. But experience has never justified this opinion. There is no way to progress in Christian Science other than by following our dear Leader in perpetuating the divinely inspired organization and methods she established. We cannot afford to listen to any suggestion that there are other and better ways to promote our beloved Cause than by organizing churches and societies with the approval of the Board of Directors of The Mother Church, and by erecting church edifices when the proper time arrives.

The recognition and larger view of the oneness of The Mother Church and its branches serve to keep us actively loyal to both The Mother Church and the particular branch church of which we may be members, as well as to prevent our experiencing a feeling of homelessness and loneliness, should we find it necessary to establish a new home in another city and transfer our membership from one branch church to another. Sometimes it seems difficult to go from a branch church that is large in numbers, well established, and perhaps with a beautiful edifice already dedicated, to a church just beginning and as yet small in numbers. Even in this there may be great blessing, as those who have tried it have often found. Divine Love will guide every earnest, active worker; and when one moves to a place that to his highest sense seems his rightful home, he need not go backward in church organization work. Perhaps just the experience that activity in a smaller church affords is needful to his own spiritual growth; and, if one is an experienced worker, sincerely desirous of being helpful, the small church should be able to rejoice in and be blessed by that one's membership. In such an experience we may remember with courage and joy that God is in the midst of the few whose efforts are sincere.

Nor need the smaller organization suffer when deprived of the assistance of an active member who is obliged to move away. We should remember at such times that there are better ways of expressing love and affection toward our coworkers than by voicing vain regrets over their plans, or fear for the future of our own organizations. Either of these attitudes may close the door toward higher demonstration and the discernment of the provision made by our heavenly Father for all of His children.

Perhaps one goes from a small church where one knew and loved everyone in the congregation to a large branch church, where for a time the newcomer may go in and out without knowing anyone because of the strangeness of the setting, or timidity occasioned by the larger number of people. Then may be the time gently to open the door of loving recognition by expressing an earnest, humble desire to serve. The wise and alert Christian Scientist does not delay unnecessarily in taking the steps required to unite in membership with the branch church with which he now finds himself associated.

Practitioners frequently find in their work that Christian Science students call upon them for help in problems that might have been avoided had membership and its consequent consistent activity been continued through the right channels when a change of residence made it necessary to attend another branch Church of Christ, Scientist. Neglect of transferring the membership has sometimes caused active, alert Christian Scientists to lose interest in the Cause they love; and a lapse into negligent study and mental work often follows. Wherever there is found a loyal branch Church of Christ, Scientist, there may be found affectionate workers with one purpose, and with a happy willingness to welcome the newcomer.

Let us glory in our privilege of perpetuating the Cause of Christian Science through legitimate organization work, which is always the result of healing work earnestly and correctly done. Our individual expressions of loyal service and gratitude are making possible obedience to the mandates, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." "Heal the sick." On page 3 of "Pulpit and Press" our dear Leader writes, "No longer are we of the church militant, but of the church triumphant." In the words of a hymn:

Copyright, 1929, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.