Article July 23, 1932 Issue

In the Small Town

LESLIE LUTZ ANDERSON

The Christian Scientist whose home is in a small town has a happy opportunity in serving in the movement. The success of his works and the example of his living stand as evidence of his thought to his fellow townsmen. The news of accomplishments travels fast in the town or hamlet. In Jesus' day, the healings of the Master became quickly known; "and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about," and the number of his followers grew and the permanency of his teachings became established accordingly.

It is well to remember that when Jesus was with men there were no large cities such as there are now. Even in the day of the first footsteps into truth by our Leader, there was no such general concentration into the larger cities as there is today. From the nature of the truth, elucidated by Mary Baker Eddy in Christian Science, it heals the sick in country town and populous city alike, and the presence and power of God are proved to be equally available everywhere. Mrs. Eddy says of Jesus, "He bade the seventy disciples, as well as the twelve, heal the sick in any town where they should be hospitably received" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 342). During her residence in hospitable Concord, New Hampshire, Mrs. Eddy, public-spirited, setting a high example, kindly, pure, quiet, stimulating thought which heals, won her way into the love and memory of its citizenry.

It is a frequent experience that where one is well known moral courage is requisite to represent a minority view. "The trials encountered by prophet, disciple, and apostle, 'of whom the world was not worthy,' await, in some form, every pioneer of truth" (ibid., p. 28). Moral courage is expressed through a sincere and convincing joy and charitableness, and a loving firmness in adhering to the truth. It is well to watch that one speaks and lives the truth correctly, for the public welfare will be improved accordingly.

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