A necessary step in preparing to sponsor a Christian Science lecture is that of informing the community. The word "inform" means to acquaint, tell, notify, enlighten, or advise. So we are desirous of telling our community of the practicality of Christian Science; to notify our community that a lecture on Christian Science is to be given; and to acquaint or to enlighten our community with the fact that the ever-present Christ is here and that the teachings of the prophets and of Jesus are just as applicable and demonstrable now as they were centuries ago.

One might say that each member of the church that is sponsoring the lecture informs or tells the community of Christian Science as he goes about his daily activities. The individual engaged in business who starts each day with a study of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly starts with the fact that the healing Christ is here and with a serene assurance that good only is unfolding everywhere. He is then able to deny existence, force, or authority to anger, irritation, confusion, partiality, or any other unpleasant quality, if it attempts to gain admittance into his consciousness.

When a disturbed situation has been cleared up or quieted through the clear concept of the ever-present healing Christ, the practicality of Christian Science has been demonstrated, and Truth, wherever it is expressed, has an effect on human consciousness.

Children and young people who are being taught in our Sunday Schools are proving the practicality of this Science as they go about their activities and thus enlighten or inform the community concerning Christian Science. As they maintain their identity with divine Mind by expressing wisdom, intelligence, and comprehension; as they maintain their identity with Soul by expressing purity, joy, enthusiasm, and harmonious activity; and as they maintain their identity with Spirit, attracted by good only, and attracting good only, they are witnessing to Truth.

This demonstration of the effects of Christian Science on their lives cannot go unnoticed. Each Christian Scientist, by his constant refusal to alarm others or to be alarmed by evil under any disguise, can acquaint his community with the great peace that comes to one through his study of Science.

The human footsteps taken to inform the community of a forthcoming lecture include the placing of placards announcing the lecture and giving the time and place in which it will be held, getting newspaper advertising, and sending invitations to the lecture. We can give our strong prayerful support to these forms of notifying the community by knowing and silently declaring the ever-present attraction of Spirit, good.

We know that man is under the government of divine Mind only, and so man is not governed by any traditional belief or by any preconceived notions or false opinions. We know that man, God's beloved son, rejoices in a clear concept of God and of His eternal kingdom, and our knowing helps to destroy the belief that there is a lack of interest in Spirit and spirituality anywhere.

We know that divine Mind is always leading, directing, and guiding man and that the community is, therefore, not in reality directed, guided, or led by error, ignorance, antagonism, or false human opinions. Nor can we overlook a single opportunity to invite a receptive individual to the lecture. Wherever thought is reaching out for a higher understanding of God, man, and the universe—and true thought is always reaching out for good—there is receptivity to the healing, enlightening, and inspiring message of a Christian Science lecture.

In the Bible we read (Matt. 5:14, 15): "A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." A Christian Science lecture is a lighted candle, and we do not put it under a bushel. But when our placards, advertising, and personal invitations announce the good to be obtained from this light, we are sharing it with all. A lecture is a source of greater understanding of God, of Christ Jesus, and of our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy. Christian Science is the truth, and it beacons and beckons to all mankind; it cannot be hid.

As we let the light of the teachings of Christian Science shine in our lives, we will aid in informing all mankind of the healing Christ, the harmony of being, and the abundance of good available to mankind. The light of Truth will be seen, and the glory will go to our Father-Mother God, to whom belong all being and all praise.

Let us remember Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health (p. 570): "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences."