In the momentous days when the Cause of Christian Science was being established, the laborers were few. But they were untiring. Many of them had been healed and regenerated through the spiritual understanding of Mary Baker Eddy, the beloved Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Released from sickbeds, from hopeless bondage to pain and sin they forsook the demands of society, family, home, and friends and unreservedly helped to establish this new-old religion of the Christ, Truth.

As of old, this second coming of the Christ, prophesied by Jesus, was misjudged and misunderstood. It was accompanied by opposition and persecution. Sermons against the Discoverer of Christian Science, its adherents, and even against Christian Science itself, were not uncommon. Amid this opposition of the clergy, the medical profession, and the professors of natural science, there was no place for halfhearted effort. The early students had to be true soldiers, ever on guard, ever united, listening for the divine command. There was no respite from unceasing service. The laborers were few, and the work to be performed was great. The world must be made acquainted with this wonderful healing truth!

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, knowing that the need was for steady, unswerving endeavor, explained to her students in her Message to The Mother Church for 1900 (p. 2) that "the song of Christian Science is. 'Work—work—work— watch and pray.'" She made no mention of a respite; no reference to some students' working and others' watching. In the same passage she continues: "The close observer reports three types of human nature—the right thinker and worker, the idler, and the intermediate. The right thinker works; he gives little time to society manners or matters, and benefits society by his example and usefulness. He takes no time for amusement, ease, frivolity;" and then as if to draw a sharp contrast she says, "The wicked idler earns little and is stingy," and adds: "The intermediate worker works at times. He says: 'It is my duty to take some time for myself; however, I believe in working when it is convenient.' "

Through fidelity and strict obedience to this standard of labor, these early workers were able to assist in the organizing and establishment of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. Massachusetts. The Cause of Christian Science grew and prospered, until today there are hundreds of branches of The Mother Church all over the world. Through the consecration and service of these first students of our beloved Leader, many of us today are privileged to meet our human needs through the application of the truths of Christian Science. For this wonderful Comforter we are immeasurably thankful. But we should do more than just be grateful. We should even do more than serve in the ranks of Christian Scientists. We should refresh our labors and our thinking with the heavenly manna, the Christ, Truth, that is of Mind, God.

Now, three quarters of a century after the discovery of this Science of the Christ, we must take stock of our service in the light of this gauge of the essential qualities of workmanship. It does not matter if we are workers on the music committee, or if we are members of a board of directors, or Readers in a branch church. The standard of workmanship is the same.

Let us ask ourselves: "Which type of worker am I? Am I the idler, one who, having been healed through the application of Christian Science, is quite content to watch others carry on the necessary activities?" Perhaps one has attended a beautiful Christian Science church for many years without awakening to the desirability of becoming a member of it. Or perhaps one is a member who is rather penurious with his attendance and his prayers for the prosperity of the Cause. If this be the case, we can begin immediately to improve our standard of workmanship, and very easily too.

Or are we the intermediate workers, gladly proclaiming that we are Christian Scientists, but rebelling at the demands of obedience to the rules of Science? "Never absent from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never unready to work for God,— is obedience," our Leader tells us on page 116 of "Miscellaneous Writings." Does this standard seem too demanding, too high?

Let us remember that Christian Science is the greatest blessing in our experience. Let us not forget that through our fidelity and obedience the generations to come will inherit the revelation of the Science of Christianity. We need to remember why we are serving. Surely, not because it is a duty, or because we wish to while away an hour, nor because it is a pleasant occupation. Are we not, rather, each one in his appointed place, helping to dispel the mist of ignorance that went up "from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground"? It is a comforting fact that wherever we meet and teach the truth about God, His man, and His universe in the light of Christian Science, wherever we pray, we are dissipating the "mistification" about God! We are helping to bring in the millennium! We are bringing nearer the time

Mrs. Eddy foresaw the danger that would come when the ranks of Christian Science had greatly increased in number. She knew that now, as in those early days, the need would still be for steady, faithful work. History tells us that the healing art disappeared after Jesus had left his disciples, because fidelity to his precepts waned, courageous adherence to his exact admonition diminished.

Let us consecrate ourselves anew to the standard of the "right thinker and worker." Let us realize that our Cause will grow even more rapidly and more steadily because there are great numbers of its adherents working according to this high standard. The Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy point the way, explicitly, wisely, imperiously. Let us watch, work, and pray that we adhere to the pattern set forth therein, that the salt lose not its savor, and that we strive to exemplify faithful, courageous service as we unite to bring to light the universality and eternality of God's omnipresent kingdom.