Entering the Fold

On last Sunday all the branch churches of our denomination were observing the Communion, at which service new members are received after having promised fealty to the tenets of the Mother Church. Some of these applicants have come from other churches; some are the children of Christian Scientists, and have so learned to remember their Creator in the days of their youth as to rely upon Him alone if sickness or trouble come to them; while others have come from the dreary wastes of agnosticism, to which they had been driven by their failures to find God in creed or dogma; and they have proved, each and all, in some degree that the spiritually scientific understanding of God heals both the sick and the sinful, even as in Jesus' day. To all of them the Christ has spoken, saying, "Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of?" and most of them have pondered long the step now taken in becoming members of the Church of Christ, Scientist. There are many who respond to the call of Truth with hearts made light and joyous by their healing, and all know that in the ratio of their faithfulness they will partake of Christ's cup and grow strong thereby, for they have learned that in no other way can they escape from the thraldom of materiality and gain the glorious freedom of spiritual being.

It is such a joy to know that in Christian Science we do not follow "a stranger" but are led by the familiar voice of the "good shepherd" who calls us to the fold where we "go in and out, and find pasture." While it is true that unfore seen difficulties may come to us, there will also come blessings beyond the range of our present vision, and each day, if we are true to our pledge, will bring a new and holier sense of "union and communion" with God which will lift us above every difficulty.

At this time it were well for the older members to recall the paths by which they have been led, and as they do so they will feel a deep and tender interest in the younger members, and never by any thoughtless word or deed cause them to wander from the strait and narrow path of Christ-like living.

A number of years ago, our beloved Leader, in a public address to her students, urged upon them the necessity for daily communion with God, and said that in this new realm of thought the Christian Scientist might be likened to a man who went into a new country and made a little clearing on which he built a rude shelter for himself, and perchance his family. In process of time, a larger clearing was made in the forest, and a better home provided. After many years had passed, a splendid mansion would perhaps mark the site of that first humble abode, while all around it would be found other beautiful homes,—possibly a great city. Her words can never be forgotten and are ofttimes an inspiration to those who were privileged to hear them, for they gained thereby an enlarged and purified sense of their own future and that of the Cause so dear to them.

Bonar says,—

But see, the Pillar-cloud is rising now
And moving onward through the desert night
It beckons, and I follow, for I know
It leads me to the heritage of light.

Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;
Yet passing points to the glad feast above—
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb's great bridal feast of bliss and love.

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