Editorial November 6, 1943 Issue

Am I Ready for Church Membership?

John Randall Dunn

How often this question is raised when one hears from the Reader's desk in a Christian Science church the announcement of an admission of new members. And we should not be surprised, when such a forward step is proposed, if, as in Job's time, Satan comes also. It would seem that its first whispered suggestion generally is, I am not good enough!

In order to deal with this objection intelligently, let us first understand what this institution called The Mother Church and its branches is, and why it is. In the Church Manual, by Mary Baker Eddy, under the caption "Historical Sketch." we read the following (p. 17): "At a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association. April 12, 1879. on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,—To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing."

Was ever a church formed having as its basis, its raison d'être, a purer, simpler, higher motive? Here is found no element of dissension no quarrel with other denominations. This religious organization spoke to the hearts of those earnest folk who had felt the touch of Christian healing through the ministrations of their inspired Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and were eager to proclaim the spiritualizing, liberating message to all mankind. It is doubtful if many of that brave little band of Christian Scientists hesitated to enlist for service because they were "not good enough." There was a mighty work to be done, a rich harvest to be reaped, and the laborers were few. Are there not even greater fields ready for harvesting today? Was there ever such an opportunity for service, for healing, as is now presented in a war-torn world?

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