Article March 13, 1948 Issue

THE PURPOSE OF ASSOCIATIONS

ETHEL MUNRO GOSS

The members of associations of pupils of loyal teachers of Christian Science rightly look forward with eager expectancy to their annual association meetings. Even if their human teacher is no longer with them, they know that divine Mind is ever with them to guide and guard, and that their association continues to function as an activity provided for by the Church Manual. The formation of such associations is part of the great movement which our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, established, under Spirit's guidance, for the purpose of bringing the Christ-healing to humanity. Such a purpose finds expression in the following words of the Psalmist (67:2): "That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations."

Each annual meeting of an association serves as a reminder of and an occasion for renewed consecration to this high purpose, and as a time of refreshing to its members. As all the members bring their tithes into the storehouse, tithes of gratitude, good will, humility, teachableness, loving-kindness, and brotherly love, they will reap the promise of such consecration in the blessings which are poured out to the open heart and willing mind. Their class teaching has opened to them a door that no man can shut and has given them a responsibility to increase and utilize their understanding of God and man.

When the disciples gathered together on that memorable day of Pentecost, after they had witnessed their Master's ascension, it is recorded that "they were all with one accord in one place," and that "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1, 4). This spiritual phenomenon was not miraculous, but can have its counterpart today in the degree of one's spiritual understanding. To those early followers of Christ, this influx of light proved the immortality of the Christ, and on this basis they were able to establish the first Christian church.

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