Article February 3, 1951 Issue

SELF-EXAMINATION AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

RUBY P. MEADE

Twice a year the subject "Sacrament" constitutes the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly. In branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, the order of service is changed on those occasions to conform to the provisions of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy for the observance of the communion (see Art. XVIII, Sect. 2). In many branch churches new members are admitted at this time, and the Lesson-Sermon often includes citations which set forth qualifications for membership in a Church of Christ, Scientist. Such a passage is Mrs. Eddy's statement on page 35 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "We can unite with this church only as we are newborn 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."

The signing of one's name to the membership roll of a Church of Christ, Scientist, may occur on a certain date on the calendar, but truly to unite with Church is a continuous and timeless process. It is the unfolding in consciousness of the true idea of Church, which is defined in part by our beloved Leader as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (ibid., p. 583), and the utilization of this unfoldment in our every activity. Keeping ever before us the spiritual concept of Church, we soon realize that in that which "rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" there can be no fear, friction, mistakes, apathy, prejudice, lack, limitation, human will, mental malpractice, personal domination, or anything else that would claim to becloud the perfection and completeness of "the structure of Truth and Love."

The Communion service held in branch churches includes a short period in which the congregation is invited to kneel in silent communion, followed by the audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer. Writing of the Lord's supper in his first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul said (11:28), "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup." The period of silent communion in branch churches should be an interval of self-examination, not just for new members, but for all members. We can never afford to grow apathetic in our appreciation and demonstration of what it means to unite with the Church of Christ, Scientist. Are we "bringing forth the fruits of Love"? Are we casting out the errors of the carnal mind, the false beliefs of self-will, criticism, indifference, et cetera? Are we demonstrating the truths of Christian Science to the degree that healing is inevitably taking place in our church? The important question for each one to ask is, What am I doing? The need always is to look within.

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