[This is the first of five addresses given at the meeting in the Extension of The Mother Church on June 10, 1959. Another address will appear next week.]

On April 12, 1879, a small band of earnest Christian Scientists voted on motion of our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, "To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." So we read in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy (p. 17).

Appreciating the import of our Leader's momentous revelation, we realize that this early organizational step, as well as the many which followed, was the direct outcome of her close walk with God. For many years she had been listening for the voice of Truth, and having been obedient, she understood the meaning of its message. She was then, and continued to be, a scribe under orders, establishing fully in God's way the movement of Christian Science.

Eighty years have now passed since that memorable occasion, which is but a brief span in world history, yet the fruits of our Leader's God-ordained task keep mounting from year to year. In comparison with other denominations, the Church of Christ, Scientist, has just made a beginning, though already over three thousand two hundred churches and societies encircle the globe. This is, we must admit, a very worthy record of accomplishment, one which may rightfully be the source of much strength and assurance to us all as we carry on the great work so well established by our Leader.

Mrs. Eddy is the only one of the world's great religious leaders who, since the early centuries of the Christian era, has accepted in its entirety the healing and regenerating mission of the Master and made it an essential and indispensable part of her church. She placed a right interpretation on the words and works of Christ Jesus, which she found plain and unmistakable in purpose. Indeed, she practiced and proved with extraordinary success his immortal utterance, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also" (John 14: 12), and she expected her followers to do likewise.

The glorious mission of the Church of Christ, Scientist, then, is one of good tidings and great joy, offering complete salvation. More specifically, it proclaims the presence and power of God's kingdom by healing the sick and the sinning; by providing a safe and impregnable defense against every claim of evil or mortal mind; and by speaking to the hearts of men the new tongue of scientific and practical Christianity. How far-reaching in good effect this holy mission and how all-inclusive!

As we continue our faithful study of our textbooks, the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, together with the other authorized literature of our movement, and as we live and practice what we imbibe, we shall be fulfilling our part in the mission of this church. It is important that our part be done willingly, yes, with joyous and grateful hearts—with joy because it is a quality of God and with gratitude because it is always the open door to new and increased blessings.

Let us make the most of the privilege of working in the Father's vineyard, for spiritual activity is rousing, sustaining, and uplifting. Such activity brings to us the experience of the new birth referred to by Paul when he wrote of us as "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Rom. 8:23). Our Leader states in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 15): "The new birth is not the work of a moment. 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."

Wherever a branch church or society is located, it can reflect well-being and progress and can fulfill its purpose of bringing Christian Science to the receptive thought of the community; and it will do all this as its members are actively about the Father's business. We are all familiar with our beloved Leader's definition of "Church" on page 583 of Science and Health, which reads:

"The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.

"The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."

Progress in the affairs of church calls for regular attendance on the part of all members at the services. It calls further for adequate metaphysical support in order that the Sunday services may be comforting, healing, and regenerating and the Wednesday evening testimony meetings active and inspiring. As we pray earnestly and daily for our branch church and the Cause of Christian Science, we shall witness the fulfillment of God's promise, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isa. 55:11).

Let us be steadfast in knowing that Love's supply is adequate for every occasion. Divine Love cannot know lack. It includes and maintains ever-present and unending supply. Thus through the earnest work of the members, the needs of a branch church can and will be met and God glorified.

Our Reading Rooms as established by Mrs. Eddy offer a further marvelous opportunity for presenting the message of Christian Science. Such a room is a blessing to any community, for the liberating word of Truth is expressed and practiced there with regeneration and healing as the natural results. This word of Truth attracts, offering all that the heart can truly desire. Let us know with deep conviction that the activities of our Reading Rooms are God-directed. Whatever Love directs, Love protects.

Of course our Sunday School, our lectures, our literature distribution work, our circulation, advertising, and other activities, are all deserving of sincere and prayerful attention. As in all walks of life, success will be ours in proportion to our fidelity and honest endeavor. It will be commensurate with our prayers and spiritual discernment.

Christian Science makes clear to its faithful followers the importance of discernment in our daily experience. The demonstration of Christian Science requires close communion with God, a marked letting go of the old and a willingness and readiness to accept the new—that alone which is born of Spirit. It calls for fulfillment, not mere longing to do the will of God, good, and it calls as well for persistent endeavor along the way as Mind directs. As we silence the senses and listen for the inaudible voice of Truth, we discern the will and wisdom of God, and then we can be doers of His Word.

A branch church or society is rightfully the center of spiritual activity in a community, establishing the consciousness of heaven or the divine order of being. Indeed, its healing mission is fulfilled just to the degree that its members engage in activities born of Truth and Love. Obviously, these thrive when supported by understanding prayer, enabling us to demonstrate in increasing measure that Mind in its allness and completeness is ever at the helm, governing, guarding, guiding the affairs of our branch church, its members, and the entire community. Human conditions improve if we keep busy praying and proving spiritual facts.

Let me tell you of a small society which had dwindled in numbers until there were left only a few active members. They had worked hard and courageously in order to continue as a recognized branch of The Mother Church, but finally decided that the time had come when it was no longer possible to carry on and that steps should be taken to disband the organization.

At what they had expected to be their final Wednesday evening testimony meeting, there was a stranger in the congregation who testified to the healing efficacy of Christian Science. Her concluding remarks were that she had just purchased a new home in the community and felt most grateful to find the local Christian Science Society. She said she had resolved earlier not to buy unless a Christian Science organization was at hand, as she desired to be active in the Christian Science movement.

Immediately afterward the members of the little society held a special meeting. This testimony had awakened them to the fact that all their prayerful work had not been in vain and that there was a definite need for the society. They felt imbued with fresh inspiration and a right zeal. Truth was commanding them to go forward with the expectancy of good. They accepted this challenge and rescinded their previous decision to disband. From that time on, the society grew and progressed. Newcomers came to the services, and seasoned workers moved into the area. The society is now a church with a membership well over one hundred.

This inspiring experience illustrates the safety and permanency of every Christian Science branch church and society when established and carried on according to divine Principle.

As we establish the structure of the real Church in consciousness, by reflecting the qualities of God, our branch church will prosper and will fulfill its sacred mission in the community. Mrs. Eddy's challenging words from Science and Health point the way for us (p. 323): "Beholding the infinite tasks of truth, we pause,—wait on God. Then we push onward, until boundless thought walks enraptured, and conception unconfined is winged to reach the divine glory."