Article July 15, 1950 Issue

The Lesson-Sermon

By Dr. John M. Tutt,—of Kansas City, Missouri

In the year 1895 Mary Baker Eddy took one of those momentous steps by which the progress of Christian Science from its inception has been attended. This epoch-making event is recorded in her own words in "Miscellaneous Writings" (pp. 313, 314), "Humbly, and, as I believe, divinely directed, I hereby ordain the Bible, and 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,' to be hereafter the only pastor of The Church of Christ, Scientist, throughout our land and in other lands." At that time she indicated that this pastor would provide weekly a lesson. And the Manual of The Mother Church makes this provision and declares that this lesson largely bases the prosperity of Christian Science.

A lesson signifies something to be taught or learned, and that implies attention and effort on the part of the individual. But this word pastor carries other significance than the providing of a lesson. A pastor preaches to and attends to his flock. This fuller significance of pastor our Leader covered by coining the term Lesson-Sermon. Now while the Lesson-Sermon originates in the understanding and expression of God and man, and is directed to the whole flock, its reception and effects must be by and upon the individual. Therefore it is to the individual that the Lesson-Sermon is actually addressed.

In a proper sense there is no such thing as mass consciousness. When Jesus taught and fed thousands, he spoke to and met the need of the individual, each in his own state and therefore his own stage of consciousness. His sermon was pitched not only to the spiritual famine of all, but especially to the heart and soul hunger and bodily needs of each ailing one.

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