Article March 15, 1930 Issue

Prayers for the Congregation

ETHEL MUNRO GOSS

The earnest study of Christian Science awakens thought along many lines. The evidence of such awakening is often seen in a changed attitude towards church services. One may have previously thought of church as a place of relaxation from the strain of everyday life, a place where one's æsthetic feelings might be satisfied by the beauty of the service—by the music or by a sermon setting forth splendid ideas. Or perhaps one went to church from a sense of duty, and may have felt vaguely that such attendance was necessary to one's spiritual welfare. But to the Christian Scientist church-going becomes something more than a mere passive acceptance of good. When, with its wonderful revelation of the spiritual meaning of Church, Christian Science awakens one to a deeper sense of the importance of church services, the By-Law in the Manual of The Mother Church, entitled "Prayer in Church" (Art. VIII, Sect, 5), reveals an opportunity and a sacred obligation. This By-Law reads, "The prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively."

It may not be amiss to consider this particular By-Law in relation to our own spiritual growth. In referring to the Manual as adapted to The Mother Church, our beloved Leader says in Article XXXV, Section 1, "It stands alone, uniquely adapted to form the budding thought and hedge it about with divine Love." As a tiny sapling needs some form of protection around it while it forms deep, strong roots of its own, so the student of Christian Science needs these By-Laws of The Mother Church to teach him obedience to divine law. These By-Laws act as a restraint to mortal impulses, and a protection to all right desires. Through obedience to them, we find freedom to behold the perfect man, whose being is ever in accord with divine law—freedom to become the sons of God.

Writing of the Manual in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 229) Mrs. Eddy says: "Heaps upon heaps of praise confront me, and for what? That which I said in my heart would never be needed,—namely, laws of limitation for a Christian Scientist." And farther on in the same article she writes, "Of this I am sure, that each Rule and By-Law in this Manual will increase the spirituality of him who obeys it, invigorate his capacity to heal the sick, to comfort such as mourn, and to awaken the sinner." If such are the fruits of obedience to our Church Manual, do we not need to give it our most prayerful attention, that we may understand and obey its By-Laws fully? As we endeavor to obey these By-Laws, we realize that obedience to them means putting into practice the two basic laws which Christ Jesus gave to mankind, "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: ... and ... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

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