Editorial January 3, 1948 Issue

OUR ANNUAL CHURCH MEETINGS

L. Ivimy Gwalter

Only from the basis of the allness of God and the oneness of Principle and its idea can Church and its activities and functions be understood. The great Leader of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy, gave to the world a spiritual vision and comprehension of Church hitherto unknown. In her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583), she defines it in terms of its substance and grandeur thus: "Church. The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Describing the efficacy of the spiritual idea in human affairs, the second paragraph continues: "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."

The annual meeting of a Christian Science church, contemplated in the light of the spiritual import of this definition, is a quickening of Spirit, a feast of Soul, to be prepared for searchingly with singleness of heart, partaken of reverently, and assimilated in spiritual growth and active demonstration. It requires us to drop all personal sense, all worldly ambition, pride, self-seeking, and egotism, and to put on the wedding garment of unselfed love.

In a letter to the members of the Christian Scientists' Association of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 136), "The eternal and infinite, already brought to your earnest consideration, so grow upon my vision that I cannot feel justified in turning aside for one hour from contemplation of them and of the faith unfeigned." And she adds, "All our thoughts should be given to the absolute demonstration of Christian Science." Such preparation for our church activities and our annual meetings would indeed bring the glory of heaven to earth and give a spiritual impetus beyond human ken to the growth of each branch church and to the Christian Science movement as a whole.

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