A question of paramount important to each student of Christian Science who has completed his term of instruction in a Christian Science Sunday School is, What is the next step for me to take in order to progress in the understanding of Christian Science? This query deserves the most careful consideration of every earnest pupil. During his years in Sunday school he has been lovingly helped to gain an understanding of the truth and to demonstrate what he has learned. Now he is called upon to go forth to prove further the divine truth which he has been taught in the Sunday school.

A happy, progressive step for the young student after leaving the Sunday school is to seek membership in a Christian Science branch church. What a joyous privilege the Christian Science movement offers us all, in helping to spread the truth among the nations of the world in obedience to Jesus' commands! And what spiritual unfoldment rewards each sincere worker in our Cause!

Yet, many young students neglect to take advantage of the privilege of church membership because of the insidious suggestions of error, subtly attempting to hinder the full unfoldment of good which is the heritage of each one of us. These erroneous suggestions have no truth, power, or reality. When uncovered and examined in the light of Truth, they disappear quickly and completely because they are without foundation.

False suggestions may present themselves in the arguments that church membership is for older, more advanced students of Christian Science; that the various obligations of church membership are too many or too great to be assumed by a young person; that his regular attendance at Christian Science services is sufficient for perhaps a few years. Error may cunningly assert that uncertain home and working conditions prevent one from applying for membership in a local Christian Science church. All these groundless suggestions are dissipated by the understanding of the true meaning of Church, which Mrs. Eddy defines in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583), in part, as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." This divine idea, Church, as it is understood, unfolds manifold blessings to mankind.

Every Sunday school student has been taught that his real identity is the reflection of God, the expression of Truth and Love, entirely separate from the belief of a mortal selfhood. He has to some extent learned to look away from mortal mind and material body to his continually harmonious being as the manifestation of God. Then, in considering church membership, the student must look to the true idea of Church. And he should also consider the further statement of Church in the Glossary, in which its many activities are defined.

The understanding of Truth and Love and the demonstration of this understanding shown in active church work, are as requisite to the spiritual progress of each student of Christian Science as is his proof of the falsity of material pain and pleasure, evidenced by his demonstration of the truth of harmonious being.

The mental work necessary to keep the concept of Church unfettered by human beliefs and limitations, results in numerous blessings to the individual as well as to the whole world. It makes the student alert to God's harmonious law of being, thereby enabling him to reject the aggressive, discordant suggestions of mortal belief.

Our churches must grow in order that the whole world may hear Truth's message and be benefited thereby. Every member should be awake to perform his part in disseminating the precious truth of Christian Science; and blessed, indeed, is each one who joins in this unselfish work. The Sunday school student may well look forward to taking part in church work, in gratitude for the good he has received through the Sunday school. If we would increase our spiritual understanding, we must do active work, based upon active spiritual thinking.

Our beloved Leader was divinely led to establish the Christian Science Church and all its activities, including the Sunday school. Let us, therefore, prepare ourselves to take the forward step of church membership. Let us give generously, in demonstrating our understanding, and we shall be blessed indeed.

When the sunday school student perceives spiritually that the question of his seeking church membership must be answered through his individual demonstration, he will see that other unsolved problems, at home or in his work, cannot prevent his finding the right solution to this problem. He does not have to wait until a certain time, or for a particular happening, in order to apprehend the ideas of God. According to his spiritual receptivity is he aware of these ideas; and this awareness will lead him to useful membership in the church, wherein he may receive and share spiritual guidance. He can declare with the Psalmist, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Nothing can prevent the abundant blessings of God from flowing into the experience of each earnest young student who unites with the Church of Christ, Scientist, which is reaching out to all people, freeing them from evil and disease through the understanding of the allness of God and His love.