Editorial January 10, 1948 Issue

SOME THOUGHTS ON UNITING WITH THE CHURCH

John Randall Dunn

In many branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, the second Sunday in January marks the entry of newly elected members into the fold of Christian Science church activity, although in some churches new members are received at other times. However, whenever new students unite with the church, all members, old and new, could profitably ponder these words from the pen of our inspired Leader, Mary Baker Eddy: "Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love,—casting out error and healing the sick" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 35).

The seasoned church member and the newcomer alike may well ask themselves if they are truly tasting the joy that dawns when one is becoming aware that he is being "new-born of Spirit." Few, indeed, must be the number of those who sincerely study the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's works without experiencing some radical change in their mental outlook. And the encouraging thing to consider is the fact that, as Mrs. Eddy says in an article entitled "The New Birth" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 15), "The new birth is not the work of a moment."

Continuing, she writes: "It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love." From this it would seem that uniting with the Church of Christ, Scientist, is a continuing privilege; and at communion season, when new members are received, would it not be a happy thing to reread and meditate on the truths in this article, "The New Birth"?

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