Of Good Report

Messages of Progress from Branch Churches

"The spiritual dominates the temporal. Love gives nothing to take away. Nothing dethrones His house. You are dedicating yours to Him. Protesting against error, you unite with all who believe in Truth. God guard and guide you" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 193). This stirring message, sent to a branch church by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, continues to set the standard for all branch church members.

Messages of growth, enlightenment, and healing are joyfully received by The Mother Church from the branch churches, and it is fitting that some of these inspiring experiences be shared with the Field.

In January, 1953, a church in New York State wrote to The Mother Church, after which some helpful and loving correspondence ensued. In January, 1954, this same church wrote: "We are happy to report to you that our church is progressing, applications for admission are coming in, and new people are attending our services and will join at the proper time. Our Sunday School is also growing. This is definite proof that 'progress is the law of God, whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfil' (Science and Health, p. 233). We thank you again for your kind help."

A few years ago a Christian Science Society in a small town in the East contacted The Mother Church for inspiration and information. Recently this society wrote, "Since that call we have kept on with courage. We were able to elect new Readers in November. ... We have had a few new attendants and a couple of new members, with two or three recently making practical inquiries about membership. Our lecture last fall was a most helpful and inspiring event. If you should attend a few of our Wednesday evening testimony meetings, you would not always see many in numbers in attendance, but you would hear such abundant gratitude.... Healings are varied and wonderful."

Membership had decreased steadily for years in one large city church. This was partly due to a change in the character of the neighborhood. The members were apprised of the critical situation of the church and given specific figures and facts. How the members were aroused and how their active support and co-operation were obtained is described in a letter to The Mother Church as follows:

"Since last May brief meetings have been held by the board with small groups of members who have been invited to attend. The meetings, at which members were asked to work specifically on Church for a period of one month, were joyous and harmonious.

"The response has been overwhelmingly gratifying, and the results manifested in our church are apparent to all. A deeper sense of unity exists among members now than several months ago. Our attendance at regular services and lectures has improved, and our business meetings are more harmonious. Some members who had seemingly lost interest, if not in Christian Science, at least in the operation of church affairs, are joyously returning. Our treasury is sufficient to meet our current obligations, and we have been able to make needed repairs and improvements to our church structure. Many more new members have been taken into our church than six months ago. We feel there is taking place a great upsurge of spiritual awakening, which cannot fail to heal and to bless."

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