Editorial March 1, 1947 Issue

Are You Happy About Church Attendance?

John Randall Dunn

Some people aver that the present is an irreligious age, that love of churchgoing in not a few communities is conspicuous by its absence, and that many who do frequent places of worship are motivated more by a sense of duty than by a love for the service. Be this as it may, is not a serious question posed right here for many who call themselves Christian Scientists? Is church attendance for the student of this healing truth a joy, or is it becoming merely a humdrum Sabbath and Wednesday observance? If the latter, some prayerful heart-searching will not be amiss.

Why should the Christian Scientist go to church and delight in going? Can he not on Sundays read the Lesson-Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly in the quiet of his own home or possibly hear the service over the radio? And as for attending a Wednesday testimony meeting, is it not his privilege to read in the weekly and monthly periodicals many healing experiences? Subtle arguments of the carnal mind, these, and one needs to be alert lest they seem plausible, harmless, and attractive.

In the Manual of The Mother Church, Mary Baker Eddy states the purpose of the Church of Christ, Scientist. She writes (p. 19): "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., is designed to be built on the Rock, Christ; even the understanding and demonstration of divine Truth, Life, and Love, healing and saving the world from sin and death; thus to reflect in some degree the Church Universal and Triumphant."

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