Just before and during the American War of Independence certain armed citizens called minutemen pledged themselves to be always ready to serve their country, and to take the field if necessary at a minute's notice. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, adopted this term when she wrote, in her book "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 158), "All God's servants are minute men and women;" and she says of herself, "As of old, I stand with sandals on and staff in hand, waiting for the watchword and the revelation of what, how, whither."

Vigilance and alertness to duty are recognized by earnest Christian Scientists as indispensable qualities of thought. The Bible records many instances of the exercise of such qualities and their inevitable effect in healing and redemption. In the early days of the Christian era, the apostles and disciples of our Master proved themselves true minutemen in the cause of Truth, and dark beliefs of mortal thought often yielded instantaneously when challenged by these soldiers of Christ.

That Peter and John were intelligently alert, and ready to discern and meet the human need, was proved when Peter healed the impotent man at the Beautiful gate of the temple. To those who stood by, a wonderful illustration was given of the joy-giving, health-producing power of the Christ-spirit in healing. A complete reversal of inertia took place, and, responding immediately to the clear spiritual insight of the apostle, the lame man woke from his long dream of inactivity. He glimpsed in a spontaneous rush of joy and wonder a little of "the glorious liberty of the children of God," and entered with the disciples into the temple, "walking, and leaping, and praising God."

Spiritual alertness on the part of the practitioner and receptivity on the patient's part are concomitants of instantaneous healing, which should be the goal of all God's "minute men and women" in Christian Science. Such demonstrations will be more and more common as understanding increases, for the infinite power of Truth is always present to help and to heal. In the meantime there is much cause for gratitude in the fact that many have already, at some time and in some degree, experienced the active joy evoked by demonstration. The truth and beauty of healing in Christian Science are proved at such a time, the clamant voices of earth are stilled, and one's view of reality is clarified and brightened.

When testing times come, we can remember this joy of the mountaintops and bring it into the quiet valleys of human experience. The prophet Isaiah gives the beautiful promise of demonstration when he says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

A faithful Christian Scientist may well take stock of his thinking during the times of quiet progress. Remembering that he is a minuteman, and doing his mental work day by day, he will be ready to remove the weeds of apathy or joylessness should they appear, especially if on any problem it seems necessary to continue the work for some time before the wrong condition yields. He will thus increase his spiritual capacity to act quickly and intelligently, should a seeming crisis appear or active witnessing be required of him. The phrase "presence of mind" is used to denote wise and quick action in any emergency. Christian Science lifts this phrase to a higher level by revealing the forever presence of Mind, God.

Again, the watchful Christian Scientist will acquire a healthy distaste for catchwords and formulas, which often prove a pitfall to the unwary, and will be on the lookout to see that he does not become, through lack of love, "as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Mortal mind would fasten on thought comfortable words of abjuration, and the important part, the demonstration, may languish for lack of active application. All must maintain the evidence of spiritual activity to counteract the lazy tendencies of mortal mind.

If a church is to be dedicated, or a sum of money raised, the need may be regarded as a spur to greater spiritual readiness, to a more genuine realization of ever-present supply. Joseph Armstrong's book, "The Mother Church," gives a picture of vigilant activity on the part of the early Christian Scientists in days of extraordinary stress and trial. Being true minutemen, they were not found off guard.

There is no influence in the world today so potent for the building of character as active service in the Church of Christ, Scientist. A minuteman is not liable to be caught napping at his post. Let one but glimpse the truths of Christian Science, and he will soon set about learning the lessons of vigilance and tenacity of purpose, and recognize the urgent need of exchanging mere material routine for inspirational activity. Such an exchange results in untold blessings. Readiness to serve, as well as growth in the knowledge of Truth, will often enable a Christian Scientist to accomplish that which before had seemed to him unattainable. Church membership provides constant opportunity for growth and renewal for all in the Christian Science organization, and wisdom and love, carried in the hearts of members, are an encouragement and help to all concerned. Thus is learned the meaning of true democracy, subordinate to divine Principle and expressing the brotherhood of man.

Fulfilling all his human obligations to the letter, in accord with God's will, always ready to do a little more than is expected of him—this is how the true minuteman learns to fill his days with the joy and satisfaction of service. Our Leader says in "Science and Health" (p. 1), "Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." To be always ready to serve must necessarily mean a loving desire to be of service. Such an attitude, therefore, mirrored forth in the lives of God's "minute men and women," indicates true prayer.