From the Directors

An Important Pamphlet

The attention of members of The Mother Church and its branches is called to a notice from The Christian Science Publishing Society elsewhere in this issue, announcing a new pamphlet entitled "Permanency of The Mother Church and Its Manual."

The valuable information included in this pamphlet should be familiar to every Christian Scientist. It is recommended that executive boards of branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, and Christian Science Societies arrange to have this pamphlet brought to the attention of each applicant for membership therein. At this period of world turmoil and at all times it is essential for Christian Scientists to understand the spiritual foundation and permanency of The Mother Church and its Manual, as founded by our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy.

A Christian Science church or society expects, rightly, to manifest vigorous, steady growth and progress. If there is a noticeable lessening of attendance at church services and business meetings, it may be that there needs to be a reawakening on the part of the members to a realization that each and every one fills an important place in the church and that his individual support is needed. A branch church confronted with such a situation might well ask itself: "Is our church a friendly church? Is there a spirit of brotherly love among the members? Are strangers made to feel welcome when they enter the church? Are the members given an opportunity to become familiar with the church activities?" Above all, it may be asked, "Are the members individually bearing witness to the healing efficacy of Christian Science?"

From time to time reports have been received from the Field telling of ways in which fresh inspiration and interest have been brought into church work. Some branch churches have found it helpful to hold a members' meeting at which no business has been transacted, but informative reports of the various activities of the church have been given, and a brief talk by an experienced worker on the advantages, as well as the duties and responsibilities, of church membership. Invitations to such meetings have sometimes been extended to nonmembers who have been attending the services regularly for some time.

The interest of members who have been absent for a considerable period has been revived, in many cases, by a personal or telephone call, or a friendly letter, assuring them that they have been missed when they were not present at the services and business meetings, and that a loving welcome awaits them there. In one branch church, committee work that formerly had been handled by the executive board was shared to a larger extent with the church members. The new opportunity for activity brought fresh enthusiam, greater support, and increased attendance. Those who are not participating in the activities of the church can always give it their loving support through spiritualized thinking. "The essence of this Science is right thinking and right acting—leading us to see spirituality and to be spiritual, to understand and to demonstrate God" (No and Yes by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 12). Is is not clear then that the welfare of the church is not the responsibility of the officers alone, but that the church prospers in proportion as the members individually are spiritually alert and active?

Most important of all is the healing work. It was the demonstration of spiritual healing which caused Christian Science to grow in the community and led to the establishment of the branch church there; and it is the practical application of Christian Science in the daily lives of the members which will make the church continually expand in usefulness.

Notes from the Publishing Society

New Pamphlet

Announcement is made of the publication of a pamphlet entitled "Permanency of The Mother Church and Its Manual." This pamphlet contains legal opinions regarding the permanency of The Mother Church, as well as articles reprinted from the periodicals on the Manual and the value of church membership. Price 10 cents.

Hints to Contributors

Religious articles for the Christian Science periodicals are highly appreciated. Weather for the Journal, Sentinel, or Monitor, they should be addressed to The Christian Science Publishing Society, Journal and Sentinel Editorial Department, One, Norway Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Articles are accepted only from members of The Mother Church. They should contain about 500 to 1000 words; those for the Monitor from 750 to 900 words. Freshness, originality, naturalness, variety are prized. Have at least one quotation from Bible and also one from our Leader's writings.

Convincing testimonies are welcome. They should be to the point, making it clear that the writer has been healed in Christian Science. Vivid pictures of injuries or of suffering are to be avoided. Each testimony should be verified by three members of The Mother Church who know of the healing or can vouch for the testifier. In lieu thereof his affidavit will suffice, though he should, if possible, also submit verification from one or two members. Complete addresses of the testifier and his vouchers should accompany the testimony.

Request for Names of Service Men

The names and complete mail addresses of men in the defense forces who are Christian Scientists, or who show an interest in Christian Science, are desired by workers engaged in the Camp Welfare Activities of The Mother Church in operation at stations of the United States Army and Navy.

These addresses should be sent to the Manager by the men themselves, by members of their families, or by friends. Men in the forces are subject to frequent transfer from one station to another, and it is often impossible for the Christian Science Wartime Workers to learn the new addresses. Therefore, it is requested that relatives and friends of service men interested in Christian Science co-operate with the Manager of Camp Welfare Activities by keeping him informed of such changes of address, and thus aid in maintaining the effectiveness of the welfare work.

When reporting a change of address, the informant should send the old address, as well as the new one, to

Manager, Christian Science Camp Welfare Activities
107 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts

The address of one serving in the Canadian forces in Canada should be sent to the branch church or society nearest the camp. It will then be forwarded by the church or society to the committee carrying on welfare activities at that camp.

Membership Notice

The closing date for the receipt of applications for membership in The Mother Church is now approximately one month in advance of the date of the admission instead of two weeks as heretofore.

Applications are acted upon by The Christian Science Board of Directors, twice each year, as provided for by the Manual of The Mother Church, Article XIII, Section 2.

The next date for the admission of applicants into membership in The Mother Church is November 6, 1942. Applications must reach the Clerk on or before Monday, October 5, 1942.

A letter of acknowledgment is sent to each applicant whose application is received by the Clerk, but this letter does not signify that he has been admitted to membership. When his application has been duly acted upon by the Board of Directors, he is notified promptly by the Clerk of the action taken. If an application has been forwarded and, within a reasonable length of time, the applicant has not received acknowledgment, he is invited to make inquiry of the Clerk before forwarding a second application. This procedure avoids possible duplication of applications. However, applications received during the month immediately preceding the date of the current admission to membership will not be acknowledged until after that admission. Application blanks for membership in The Mother Church are obtainable at Christian Science Reading Rooms and from clerks of branch churches and societies. Applications may always be obtained from Miss Mary G. Ewing, Clerk, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Testimony Meetings

Meetings at which testimonies of Christian Science healing are given, are held in Christian Science churches on Wednesdays. A cordial invitation to attend these meetings, as well as the Sunday services, is extended to all. Information telling where and when these are held is given in the Directory in each issue of The Christian Science Journal.