An individual who has studies Christian Science for a time learns that he must choose whom he would serve—whether Truth or error, Spirit or matter. He finds that if he would advance spiritually he must renounce reliance upon prestige, money, friends, drugs, and rely radically upon God; he finds himself at the parting of the ways; he finds that he cannot serve both matter and Spirit. At this point the student may falter, and delay his decision, and make little or no progress in spiritual understanding. What is the right course to pursue? Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 14), "We cannot 'serve two masters,'" She continues, "To be 'with the Lord' is to be in obedience to the law of God, to be absolutely governed by divine Love,—by Spirit, not by matter."

Experience has made clear that those students of Christian Science who fully accept Mrs. Eddy's teachings together with the Bible, who rely upon them and prove them daily by self-abnegation and prayer, make progress, gain spiritual discernment.

Experience also has made abundantly clear that those Christian Scientists who fully accept our Leader's demonstration of Church and become members of the church she founded find themselves stronger and more capable workers than they would have been had they remained aloof from church membership. The progress and prosperity of the Cause of Christian Science are for the most part due to the unselfish labors of members of The Mother Church and branch churches. No man liveth to himself alone. Each has an inescapable responsibility to serve his fellow man. This can be accomplished by working in unity and fellowship with other Christian Scientists. This service is both individual and collective. We have our individual activities in living Christian Science in our daily experiences. We also have the duty and privilege of collective co-operation with our fellow workers as members of The Mother Church and branch churches. To neglect church membership deprives one of many glorious and satisfying opportunities to have part in advancing the kingdom of God among men. Paul undoubtedly had in mind the spiritual Church when he wrote (Ephesians 2:19, 21): "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." Church is a divine idea, "the structure of Truth and Love" (Science and Health, p. 583), and every Christian Scientist needs to be consciously aware of this fact.

Who is qualified to join The Mother Church? He is qualified who accepts the teachings of the inspired Word of the Bible and the teachings of Christian Science, striving earnestly to live in accord with them. Christ Jesus declared, "Upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). Beyond question his disciples and followers knew of his purpose to establish the church to meet human needs, for immediately after the marvelous outpouring of Spirit on the day of Pentecost they organized the first church at Jerusalem and later other churches throughout the then civilized world. The activities of the early Christians pivoted around the church. Of the church first organized in Jerusalem it is said (Acts 2:47), "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved," and (Acts 4:32), "The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul." Think what the Christian world has gained because of those early churches! Their fidelity to truth, their faithfulness to endure persecution, their clear discernment which healed the sick, have encouraged the Christian world down the vista of the centuries.

As an adherent of the teachings of the Master and following the example of the early Christians, Mrs. Eddy organized the Christian Science church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and she provided the Church Manual to govern and to direct its activities.

Under divine guidance Mrs. Eddy placed all the activities of the Christian Science movement under the direction of The Mother Church, as set forth in the Manual. The loyal Christian Scientist soon discovers that a knowledge of the Manual is an essential part of his special equipment. He also learns that in the church he finds satisfying opportunity for loving co-operation and spiritual unity with his fellow workers. In the church he walks with those who are forsaking materiality and are striving to cleave to Spirit. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" by Mrs. Eddy, we read (p. 247), "The church is the mouthpiece of Christian Science,—its law and gospel are according to Christ Jesus; its rules are health, holiness, and immortality,—equal rights and priveleges, equality of the sexes, rotation in office."

Sometimes a Christian Scientist listens to the specious argument that he is not prepared to join The Mother Church or a branch church. Aggressive mental suggestion whispers that he needs to attain a more advanced spiritual understanding before he takes on these responsibilities, with the result that years may pass by with but small fruitage. Then he awakens to the manner by which he has been beguiled by material sense to do less than his share for the Cause. To reiterate, he who radically relies upon Christian Science, accepts it, and strives to live it joyfully, is ready for membership.

A world suffering from physical ills, torn by wars and unspeakable cruelties, is sadly in need of the healing medicine of Christian Science. Its medicine is Mind (Science and Health, p. 104), the only medicine that can heal humanity's hurt. Human skill has not healed human ills, nor has human wisdom or statecraft abolished wars. But Christian Science, operating through The Mother Church and its branches can and will accomplish these seeming wonders. But the Church can bring about humanity's redemption only when it is sustained and upheld by loyal, devoted, God-loving Christian Scientists throughout the world.

The time has come when we need to be full-fledged Christian Scientists, casting aside all nonessential aims and interests, and united in the one purpose of healing sickness and sin, proving that the church militant is becoming, in the words of the Church Manual (p. 19), "the Church Universal and Triumphant."

What a glorious opportunity is ours to have part in this democratic form of church government, wherein all have equal rights, equal opportunities to serve God and man, and to grow in spiritual understanding!

Copyright, 1941, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, One, Norway Street, 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. [Printed in U.S.A.]