Editorial January 16, 1932 Issue

Our Relations

Clifford P. Smith

One meaning of the word "relation" is "the basis of association in business or society" (Winston Simplified Dictionary). Extended observation indicates that Christian Science is likely to be prosperous in the degree that Christian Scientists appreciate and maintain the different relations which enter into the Christian Science movement. This conclusion can be drawn, also, as an inference from our Church Manual and from all of Mrs. Eddy's acts as the Founder of this Science.

The fundamental relation between Christian Scientists is brotherhood or fellowship between all of them. This relation is fundamental, because it corresponds to the relation between individual men in reality, and because it implies unity. When The Mother Church had a general association of teachers, Mrs. Eddy sent to its first meeting a message which included these words: "You have convened only to convince yourselves of this grand verity: namely, the unity in Christian Science. Cherish steadfastly this fact" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 251).

Fellowship between Christian Scientists is essential to our mode of church government. One definition of "democratic" is "pertaining to or characterized by the principle of political or social equality for all" (New Century Dictionary). Furthermore, the maintenance of fellowship tends to develop and promote mental and spiritual equqlity. This it does in proportion as fellowship between Christian Scientists is seen to be based on the equality of all men and the oneness of man in the actual reflection of divine Mind.

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