When the words, "Come to church," strike the ear, they...

Roy G. Watson, Committee on Publication for the State of Texas,

Edinburg Valley Review

When the words, "Come to church," strike the ear, they stir tender memories of the loving invitation of our Master, Christ Jesus, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). "Come unto me"—surely this "me" is the Christ, the expression of God, which Jesus revealed and demonstrated some two thousand years ago. And in seeking this understanding it is necessary also to turn away from all that is opposite to the Christ or Truth. Thus this invitation means to forsake all the beliefs of the flesh, the false appetites of the sensual, material desires, and through the subjugation of the human will to dissolve the adamant of self and to share with Jesus his prayer, "Not my will, but thine, be done." And the promised reward for the forsaking of materiality and the pursuit of Spirit, is the peace and understanding which only Spirit can give.

Thus the church means to Christendom that which endeavors to arouse mankind from its deep material slumber to the pursuit of spiritual understanding, and the practical application of this understanding to the individual and world problems confronting men. It assures them that only thus will they find the "way out"—the peace and understanding which they seek.

This loving invitation of the church to enter into the consciousness of the Christ should not be accepted on the basis of church attendance once a year, or once a month, or even once a week, but as a constant endeavor to spiritualize one's consciousness every hour, every moment. This spiritualization of thought is not merely a matter of decision, but must be achieved through self-abnegation and self-sacrifice. It may not be achieved in a moment, but if we are pressing on to the best of our ability, our efforts will be rewarded according to our sincerity, and there is nothing which can impede or block the progress of those who would, by searching, find out God. No matter how many falls there may seem to be, or how deep the mire, or how serious the situation, the loving arms of the Father are ever outstretched, and can be reached by those who strive Spiritward. It is never too late, never too hard, never too difficult to find the Christ. Let us accept this invitation to come to church.

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