Article October 29, 1932 Issue

"First the blade"

MABEL REED HYZER

'FOR the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." These are the words of Jesus. The stages of growth which take place in the normal life of a plant may perhaps illustrate the order of developments also apparent in everyday life in the affairs of men, where progress in right directions is being sought and gained.

Marry Baker Eddy, our honored Leader, referred to these words as expressing Jesus' "order of ministration" (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 92). Therefore, if we would progress normally toward the perfect demonstration of harmony, we need to establish in our experience this "order of ministration," recognizing the scientific sequence of the blade, the ear, and the full grain. In all human experiences, where there is growth and progress, there is "first the blade." This fact is noticeable in the growth of the Christian Science movement. Our Leader, who tenderly watched all the stages in the development of her discovery, must have recognized with joy the development of the unfoldment of the divine "order of ministration" as the Cause of Christian Science advanced.

We rejoice to see new branch churches being organized all over the world in obedience to the requirements of the Manual of The Mother Church given to us by our Leader. Sometimes the first meetings are held in the home of some student of Christian Science, until this activity later develops into a recognized organization. These small gatherings may be likened to the blade, the first indication of growth after the seed of Truth is sown. From such seemingly small beginnings did The Mother Church and many of its branches spring. Let no one be discouraged if the ear and the corn in the ear do not immediately appear. Normal growth proceeds in an orderly manner as the truth unfolds in the understanding of the workers. The precious blade needs to be lovingly appreciated and guarded, but not pushed or interfered with. The immediate need is for the healing work to be carried on with no anxious thought given to the growth of the organization.

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