The Value of Church Membership

Long years ago the Psalmist sang: "Praise waiteth for thee. O God in Sion:...O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. . . . Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple."

We do not now so often, as in earlier times, hear the temple or church referred to as the "house of the Lord." but the characterization is very fitting and is full of meaning to him who recognizes God as his heavenly Father, as infinite Life, Truth, and Love.

At this recurring season of admission to membership in The Mother Church and its branches throughout the world, those who find themselves ready for membership in the Father's "house" are lovingly invited to make application.

The Mother Church and its branches stand in our midst today a symbol of that universal spiritual Church which our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, defines as "the structure of Truth and Love" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 583). and which is indeed a "house not made with hands." The Scriptures make many references to this "house," and they bring an inspiring sense of divine Love's provision for the needs of all His children. They speak to us of tender care and loving guidance, of joyous freedom and measureless opportunity. We are assured that we shall be "abundantly satisfied with the fatness" of God's house.

May we feel our hearts filled to overflowing with gratitude for an ever-enlarging concept of the mission of The Mother Church and its import to humanity, expressed in the healing of sickness and sorrow and sin. May its true character be so manifest, and speak so clearly to all men of the true way of life in Christian Science, that the Scriptural prophecy shall be fulfilled in our midst in greater measure than ever before, and that men shall recognize and claim their place among God's children and their part in the service of our Father's house.

Mary G. Ewing, Clerk

Change of Address

When sending a change of address, the following points should always be included in the request: new address; old address; name of each periodical subscribed for.

Request for Names of Servicemen and Servicewomen

Camp Welfare Activities of The Mother Church are in operation at stations of the United States Army and Navy. The names and complete mail addresses (including rank) of men and women in the armed forces of the United States here and abroad who are Christian Scientists, or who show an interest in Christian Science, are desired by workers engaged in these activities. Addresses of the servicemen and servicewomen should be sent to Christian Science Camp Welfare Activities by the men and women themselves, by members of their families, or by friends, who may also send changes of address, as promptly as possible, and thus aid in maintaining the effectiveness of the welfare work.

When reporting a change of address, the informant should send the old address, as well as the new one to
Christian Science Camp Welfare Activities
107 Falmouth Street, Boston 15, Massachusetts

The address of one serving in the Canadian forces in a camp in Canada should be sent to the branch church or society nearest the camp. It will then be forwarded by the church or society to the committee carrying on welfare activities at that camp.

It should be made known to servicemen and servicewomen that they are privileged to call on Christian Science Wartime Ministers or volunteer Christian Science Wartime Workers for Christian Science help without charge. The Wartime Minister in any area may be located through a Commanding Officer, Chaplain, or Red Cross worker, or by inquiring at the nearest Christian Science Reading Room.

Membership Notice

Applications for membership in The Mother Church are acted upon by The Christian Science Board of Directors, twice each year, as provided for by the Church Manual, Article XIII, Section 2.

The next date for the admission of applicants in The
Mother Church is November 5, 1943. Applications must
reach the Clerk on or before Monday, October 4, 1943.

A letter of acknowledgment is sent to each applicant whose application is received by the Clerk, but this letter does not signify that he has been admitted to membership. When his application has been duly acted upon by the Board of Directors, he is notified promptly by the Clerk of the action taken.

If an application has been forwarded and, within a reasonable length of time, the applicant has not received acknowledgment, he is invited to make inquiry of the Clerk before forwarding a second application. This procedure avoids possible duplication of applications. However, applications received during the month immediately preceding the date of the current admission to membership will not be acknowledged until after that admission.

Application blanks for membership in The Mother Church are obtainable at Christian Science Reading Rooms and from clerks of branch churches and societies. Applications may always be obtained from Miss Mary G. Ewing, Clerk, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston IS, Massachusetts.

From the Clerk

Tenets of The Mother Church

The printed Tenets of The Mother Church are in general use by branch churches and societies, either as a basis for their application forms for admission to membership or for binding into their by-law booklets. Because the Tenets are copyrighted, branch organizations may not have them printed for their own use. The correct procedure is to order from the Clerk of The Mother Church the quantity desired, and then have a local printer add whatever data are necessary to the individual requirements of the branch organizations.

The Tenets are printed in two sizes. The large size measures approximately 5 x 8 inches, and is generally used by the branch organizations as a basis for their membership blanks. The small size measures approximately 4 x 6 inches, and is used chiefly for binding into by-law booklets. Translations of the Tenets, having alternate pages in English, may be procured in German, French, Italian, and Polish. Prices for Tenets, either for English or for translations, are as follows:
Lots of 100—either size $ .75
Lots of 100—50 large and 50 small .75
Lots of 50—either size .50
Unless otherwise specified, the large size will be sent. Minimum orders are for lots of 50 Tenets. Remittances should be made payable and sent with orders to Miss Mary G. Ewing, Clerk, 107 Falmouth Street. Boston 15, Massachusetts.