To one standing for the first time before Niagara's mighty cataract, intent upon the grandeur of the scene spread before him, the first impression is usually one of irresistible power. The thought of myriads of tiny rills and rivulets, each insignificant in itself, but all combining to produce this spectacle, may not at first occur to him. But gradually his thought travels back to these small beginnings, and he applies to himself the lesson that is so apparent.

When The Christian Science Board of Lectureship was established and made a permanent part of the Christian Science movement, no limit was placed by the Founder of the movement, Mary Baker Eddy, upon the good which was expected to flow to the world from the lectures delivered by its members. Mrs. Eddy has written regarding this Board (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 339), "The purpose of its members is to subserve the interest of mankind, and to cement the bonds of Christian brotherhood, whose every link leads upward in the chain of being." The noble purpose these lectures were designed to fulfill is being realized in a large way. Yet every Christian Scientist yearns for a still greater outpouring of good from this source, that his own refreshing and the healing of the multitudes who still stand in "the valley of decision" may be accelerated.

When we apply the lesson of the overflowing waters to this important branch of the Christian Science movement, two facts appear: First, each individual Christian Scientist has a definite part to perform in this great work. If a single one fails in this duty, the resultant good is diminished or retarded by that much. Second, the combined, unified effect of such right individual effort produces a stream flowing so richly and broadly that its influence is felt to the farthest limits of the community in which such intelligent coordinated work is going on. Therefore, the God-inspired desire each feels to do his part in this important work should express itself in thorough mental preparedness. Then, whenever this channel of good is opened in a community, and whenever the steps leading to such an occasion are being taken, every individual concerned should be keenly awake to its importance and be found seeking some means whereby he may do his part helpfully and scientifically.

Genuine preparation of the heart for this truly great work is purely individual. To be sure, it bears collective results, and these fruits are in direct ratio to the divine intelligence which each is expressing in doing his work; for while divine Mind is unchangeable, yet in its application to human needs it is never stereotyped. It is always meeting the consciousness of those reaching out to it at the point of their comprehension. As the mental state of the individual, the church, the community, is ever in a condition of flux, no program, however successful to-day, can be set up as the final word. Preparation of the heart, a complete turning to the source of all intelligence on each recurring lecture occasion, would then seem to be the only way whereby the need of that moment may be met in the way that Mind requires to accomplish the greatest good to the largest number.

Certain more or less uniform arrangements always prevail. These are covered in a bulletin of recommendations revised and issued annually by the Board of Lectureship. If in the spirit of true preparation these recommendations be made available to all church members and studied by them, they will be found of great value in their application to the human need. When preparation becomes mechanical, inspiration disappears. When all preparation is left entirely to one or a few, general interest is apt to wane. As the power of spiritual thought is realized, no one will underestimate the importance of right thinking in connection with the lecture to be given by his own or some other church in the community. No one will fail to realize that "as he thinketh" concerning this activity of good, so will be the return to him; as he gives, so will he receive.

Jesus pointed out that when the idea of divine Love was lifted on high all men would be drawn to it. If the true concept of Love be kept constantly in thought,—held aloft in individual consciousness,—the auditoriums will not be large enough to hold those who feel this influence and respond to its call. Preparations of this sort will necessarily differ in form and expression. Each expression of activity will, however, be in accordance with unerring divine law. Thus it will be found that each effort falls naturally into the complete whole. Inspired work of this sort may, perhaps, be broadly classified under three headings: Alertness; Unselfed and Sustained Interest; and Following Through.

First, as to Alertness. Each Christian Science church knows that it is going to provide at least one lecture each year (see Manual, p. 95). Every church member is familiar with that fact. Therefore, while time and place have a decided bearing, by far the most important thing is the lecture itself. Alertness, then, would seem to impel a quick response when the field is advised of the lecture personnel for the current lecture period. When this alertness is expressed in response to a deep-seated conviction that Mind alone governs, every subsequent step marches harmoniously with the first. Were substantially all of the lecture calls of the churches and societies throughout the world sent to the lecturers immediately upon the receipt of the information mentioned above, simultaneously if that were possible, what would result? The confidence and obedience so expressed would quickly remove every seeming obstacle presenting itself. No effort to impede this orderly unfolding of good could succeed; which is to say that, in this case, the development of harmonious arrangements from beginning to end would invariably prevail.

Second, Sustained Interest. The aeroplane remains aloft as long as its motors function properly. Success attends the flight only when the flow of power is continually sustained. Interest in a lecture must be similarly sustained.

Should it become spasmodic, or be displaced by other engrossing activities, a remedy should be found. Such a remedy would seem to be the inspiration, God-given, to heal and bless our neighbor through the means provided by this activity of The Mother Church. This Love-inspired desire may easily, and indeed should, become a definite part of the daily thinking of the Christian Scientist whose preparations are "of the heart." In such ways sustained interest supports and advances the lecture work, and will bring to the individual worker, incidentally, a blessing the magnitude of which, could he but measure it, would amaze him.

Third, Following Through. The significance of this phrase is by no means confined to a popular sport. As used in golf, however, it provides a helpful illustration. The full, steady swing of the club after its impact with the ball, and on till the circuit is completed, with no least break or hesitation, is the rule if success is to be attained. It is recommended as good practice in the work under discussion. The lecture itself is the point of impact. The alert Christian Scientist follows through with his mental work. He knows that the spoken word goes forth on its mission of healing uninterrupted by human beliefs; that it reaches the mark designed for it by its author, God, good; that, reaching this point, it settles into its allotted place as lovingly and gently as the dew from heaven, and there continues to reflect and express the perfect intelligence that sent it forth.

The circle is now complete; and what has resulted? The alert worker, with a heart more fully prepared than before by this joyful experience, richer because of it, is ready to begin his work for the next lecture, and the next again, and so on. And such work never becomes monotonous. Love ever manifests itself in new ways designed to meet the growing consciousness of those depending upon it. And here a hint from Ezra's record is helpful. Fear of the danger ahead of him on his journey from Persia to Palestine had argued the desirability of a military escort, but he says, "I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers," for "we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him. . . . So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us." Only another preparation of the heart! Love providing the experience Ezra needed to strengthen his confidence in good before he left the shelter of kingly power. Far better to be "ashamed" then and turn, well in advance of danger, to the only real source of protection, "the King eternal, immortal, invisible"!

"Ashamed" to seek for human protection in this great work, "ashamed" to rely on material means, we turn with confidence to our loving Father-Mother Mind and find that He is indeed "intreated of us." Thus we press on, certain that "the preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord."

Copyright, 1929, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.