Article March 10, 1934 Issue

Writing for Our Periodicals

VIVIEN U. WILLARD

PERHAPS every student of Christian Science has at some time or other felt a longing to write for our periodicals. This is a right desire, and one that should not be hastily thrust aside. The longing to contribute something that will help others to know and understand the truth is the first step in the demonstration to write. The Christian Science periodicals are the missionaries of a mighty movement, and these missionaries, going forth quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily, carry messages of comfort, of healing, and of spiritual regeneration to those who are reaching out for more of the truth as it is revealed through Christian Science.

The next step in making the demonstration to write is to remember that in so doing one is but as an amanuensis directed by the one infinite Mind. To learn to listen for the message that Mind is imparting, to be sure that one is being led to transmit the message, and then to be obedient in responding to the leading, is to know that one's effort is inspired by unselfish love and not by self-will or a desire for self-glory. To write words of cheer, of comfort, and of enlightenment which may through one of the periodicals encircle the globe and reach many readers is a privilege to be contemplated only with deepest humility and a hushed sense of joy. There is no room here for personal elation, self-satisfaction, or the fostering of false ambition, since one must always see one's self as the scribe only. Jesus himself said, "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

Every earnest student of Christian Science yearns to give, to help in some way to spread the gospel of salvation to others. He longs to express the truth through which others may find the light that never fails. Writing for the Christian Science periodicals is one of the ways in which he may give; and he is always blessed in giving, whatever the mode of giving may be. In writing through the guidance of Mind, however, one not only is enabled to give, but is himself enriched because such writing calls for study of the Bible and our Leader's writings, for consecrated contemplation of things spiritual, for the development of spiritual ability to discern a need and of God-given capacity for meeting it. Thus it is helpful to one's own growth and progress Spiritward to strive to write. Such an effort clarifies and crystallizes one's thinking, stimulates study, and enables one to see in each experience something that may be helpfully shared with others. In fact writing, if it is to prove helpful, must be the result of experience, of demonstration.

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