Board of Trustees, Third Church of Christ, Scientist,
New York, New York.

Dear Friends:

We want to thank you for the opportunity of sending greetings to the members of your church and through you to the members of other Christian Science churches in Greater New York and vicinity. We also want to assure you of our interest in what you have termed a "Gratitude Meeting." This is indeed a fitting time for Christian Scientists to turn in profound gratitude to God for His goodness to the children of men, and to our beloved Leader for the immeasurable blessings which have come to the world through her inspired teachings.

We have many things for which to be grateful. During these past few years our movement has experienced an unprecedented growth in numbers, and its healing ministry continues to be practiced with consistent and marked success. From many dependable sources comes information that substantial numbers, not yet ready for the privilege of church membership, are reading our literature and turning to Christian Science for aid in overcoming the various problems with which they are confronted. The teachings of Mrs. Eddy are becoming better understood and more widely accepted; and the sale of her writings for the current year substantially exceeds the sale for the same period of the preceding year. It is noteworthy that there has been a remarkable increase in the number of orders received for single copies of the textbook from rural districts where there is neither church nor society. Much credit for sales of this character should be given to Committees on Publication for the publicity now being given our Lesson-Sermons in newspapers throughout the world, and especially to the radiocasting of services, lectures, and special programs, including the electrical transcriptions, and also to the work of literature distribution committees.

Incidentally, this growing interest offers convincing evidence that in building the new Publishing House at this time, the movement was, in fact, anticipating a larger demand for Christian Science literature and was providing practical ways and means of meeting it. Surely, we have ample reason to rejoice in the completion of this stately and modern new home for our publications, and also in the important part its activities are destined to play in the redemption of humankind. The Directors of The Mother Church are fully aware that the spontaneous and loving generosity with which the Field as a whole supported them in carrying forward this great project has necessitated sacrifices, but it is at least satisfying to know that such sacrifices are bringing forth fruit comparable to that of the good seed, which, according to Scriptural authority, produced "some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirty-fold."

As Christian Scientists we are coming to realize more and more clearly that the acme of the progress of man is the attainment of those spiritual qualities which constitute the Christ. These qualities, when humanly expressed and applied to daily experiences, insure success of honest endeavor, make available to man the abundance of God, and open the way for the free and unobstructed flow of true substance in individual consciousness. We share in these benefits only as we overcome fear, pride, and contention, and conform our every thought and deed to our highest concept of good.

Too frequently, however, failing clearly to discern the divine plan of action, we delay obedience to our best sense of the human. Such indecision only invites failure and leads on to defeat. "Wisdom in human action," writes Mrs. Eddy in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 288), "begins with what is nearest right under the circumstances, and thence achieves the absolute." Let us then abide by her advice, be guided by her experience; and especially let us conduct the activities of her church in accordance with her demonstrated vision of divine Principle and its mode of operation in human affairs. In a word, let each one of us strive to become what our Leader never failed to be, namely, a practical Christian Scientist.

In contemplating the possibilities immediately ahead of us, the opportunities of the individual loom large. However, the proneness with which humankind holds to accustomed ways and the native resistance of mortal mind to the progressive unfoldment of the truth make it necessary for us constantly to guard against the temptation to fall under the mesmerism of meaningless routine and allow some form of timid conservatism to prevent us from presenting in a constructive fashion the gratitude we so deeply feel. "Action," we are told by Mrs. Eddy (Science and Health, p. 3), "expresses more gratitude than speech." Indeed, she indicates that a mere verbal expression of gratitude, unless accompanied by constructive activity and tangible evidence of its depth and sincerity, is apt to be of little practical value either to one's self or to one's brother.

At this point one might well be warranted in asking what constitutes tangible evidence of one's gratitude. Does it always mean a gift of money or its equivalent in things material? The answer is, No. Important and essential as such gifts are, they by no means furnish the only tangible ways of expressing one's gratitude.

As an example, suppose each member of The Mother Church and its branches should resolve to cast about among his acquaintances with a view to determining who among them entertains a kindly attitude towards Christian Science, and then make it his business during the ensuing year to develop the interest of just one of such friends to the point where he is spiritually prepared and desirous of affiliating with our church. It requires no serious thought to determine that the effect of such procedure would be to develop the spiritual growth of the individual Christian Scientist, as well as the membership of our organization. A plan of this kind would require much careful and prayerful thought. But it can be done, and it can be done wisely and lovingly, and without the slightest semblance of proselyting, or aggressive solicitation. As a matter of fact, a kindly, simple, and timely recital of one's own experiences frequently proves to be the most effective and convincing mode of approach. Seldom, if ever, does an attempted explanation of the more subtle phases of metaphysics favorably impress one who is just beginning the study of Christian Science.

Now let us carry this thought of cooperative effort a step farther. Suppose each member of The Mother Church and its branches should undertake to secure within a twelve months' period at least one subscription to our periodicals, including the Monitor. Think of it! Just one in an entire year! It is not difficult to estimate what would happen numerically to our subscription lists. And what is more important, there can be no question as to what would happen in the way of spiritual benefits to the world as a result of the increased circulation and the broader diffusion of the teachings of Christian Science.

Obviously, if such methods were pursued simply for the purpose of multiplying our numbers, little or nothing of permanent value would be accomplished. But God rewards according to motives, and, if the motive primarily were to aid in the regeneration of humankind, we know the reward would be commensurate with the worthiness of our purpose.

It is well for us to remember that, while as a movement we have been generally accepted as a part of the religious and social organism of the world, nevertheless we are still a pioneer group of religionists and, comparatively speaking, a small group having, as the Manual of The Mother Church implies (Art. VIII, Sect. 14), "the privilege and duty" of extending the ever widening frontiers of Christian metaphysics. There is no greater work than this to be done by man. It is a God-given work. And there is no more practical way of expressing our gratitude than in the doing of it.

Just here we may profitably consider what our Leader has to say on the subject of pioneering and neglected opportunities in her article entitled "Thy Will Be Done," on page 213 of "Miscellaneous Writings." "No risk," she writes, "is so stupendous as to neglect opportunities which God giveth, and not to forewarn and forearm our fellow-mortals against the evil which, if seen, can be destroyed." Continuing, she adds: "In every age, the pioneer reformer must pass through a baptism of fire. But the faithful adherents of Truth have gone on rejoicing. Christian Science gives a fearless wing and firm foundation."

Then let us, with an abiding faith in the sacredness of our Cause, and with the initiative, alertness, and courage characteristic of pioneers, go forward in the fulfillment of our duty until "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

With all good wishes, we are
Sincerely yours,

William R. Rathvon
George Wendell Adams
Charles E. Heitman
William P. McKenzie
Nelvia E. Ritchie
The Christian Science Board of Directors