The standing that Christian Science has attained in the world is reason for much gratitude among students of this religion. Usually, the words "Christian Science" evoke respect and admiration among thinking people today. However, in the early history of the Christian Science movement derision and scorn rather than respect and admiration were the general rule. Mrs. Eddy was ridiculed, as were those who followed her teachings, and sometimes denounced alike by press, public, and clergy.

How was it possible, then, for this new religion to withstand the evil onslaught, emerge victorious, and become strong and firmly established?

To answer this question, one must understand that Mrs. Eddy's purpose in establishing the Church of Christ, Scientist, was healing. In the "Historical Sketch" from the Manual of The Mother Church by our Leader, it is recorded that "on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,—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" (p. 17).

Healing is the basis of the Christian Science movement, and it was the healing ministry of the Christ, Truth, that both protected and furthered our Cause in those early days. Today Christian Science has attained greater prominence, but its continuing vitality comes not from mere human popularity. The protection and furtherance of our Cause are still dependent upon its healing works.

Physical healing has an important place in Christian Science, but physical healing alone is by no means the main objective of Christian Scientists. In answer to the question, "Is healing the sick the whole of Science?" Mrs. Eddy begins her reply (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 2): "Healing physical sickness is the smallest part of Christian Science. It is only the bugle-call to thought and action, in the higher range of infinite goodness. The emphatic purpose of Christian Science is the healing of sin."

A Christian Scientist's viewpoint regarding sin goes far beyond that which constitutes the general conception of sin. Students of Christian Science recognize all unspiritual thinking regarding man and the universe to be sin. They work unremittingly to realize the absolute perfection of all that exists in God's universe. This type of healing work is a positive bulwark for our movement.

Consecrated students can never for a moment engage in the sinful act of disparaging criticism, for they recognize its destructive elements. Criticism of workers in our movement would undermine that which Mrs. Eddy labored to establish for us.

It is our work to protect the religion that we love, and we do so only as metaphysically we support every office and function of the Church of Christ, Scientist, through righteous activity. We should never permit the erroneous suggestion which calls itself righteous indignation to use us as its tools. The intent of the carnal mind is to reduce Christian Science and all that it includes to the basis of materiality.

Our movement and every representative of it must be considered in the light of Science as forever controlled by the Mind that is Spirit. Thus we protect that which we hold dear, for a spiritual idea can never be victimized by error.

There is yet another facet in the work of protecting and furthering our Cause. It is the work of letting the light of the Christ, Truth, shine in our daily life, of exemplifying what we profess. It is following in the footsteps of our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, who said (John 12: 32), "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." It is therefore the sacred duty and obligation of the individual Christian Scientist, be he man, woman, or child, to prove to the very best of his ability the truth which his religion propounds.

A boy whose father had just passed on was placed in a classroom in which my son was also a student. The boy was greatly upset and completely uninterested in schoolwork. My son, evidently discerning his need, befriended him and invited the youngster to visit the Christian Science Sunday School. The boy soon enrolled and became a regular pupil. Before long a marked improvement was noticed in his schoolwork; he became happy and interested; in fact, his entire attitude changed.

It was during a conference period with my son's teacher that I learned of this experience. The teacher was so impressed with the improvement she had noted in the other boy that her entire concept of Christian Science had changed. She told me that any religion which could help a person as she had seen this child helped must be wholly good, and she was planning to have her daughter visit the Christian Science Sunday School.

Through his expression of love, tenderness, and compassion, my son had been truly laboring in God's vineyard. He had protected his rights as a Christian Scientist and had furthered the Cause of Christian Science.

All who have been healed and benefited through this glorious truth have awakened in some degree to the facts of spiritual being. It is therefore possible for every adherent of Truth to protect and promote the religion that he loves through his individual expression of Life, Truth, and Love. The following admonition found in II Timothy (4:5) charts our path: "Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

Many laws have been enacted by legislative bodies to protect the religious rights of those who depend exclusively upon prayer for healing. However, it must be pointed out that while human laws must be accepted and adhered to, the hearts and minds of men cannot be legislated. No one can be made to accept that which he does not believe to be true. We cannot afford to be apathetic or deluded by the belief that the work of establishing our religious rights has already been done for us. As we demonstrate through healing love our highest understanding of the Christ, Truth, we are truly supporting our blessed religion, which is able to transform the world.