To those who have experienced the blessings of Christian Science, and who are so grateful therefor that they desire to share these blessings with others, the question comes, What can we do to promote the Cause of Christian Science that others may be benefited and that God's kingdom may be established here and now? Surely that is a righteous desire, which should be cherished.

Christ Jesus, our Exemplar, declared that the fields were ripe for harvest, and he not only sent forth his disciples to preach the gospel and heal the sick, but urged his followers to pray for more laborers to carry forward the practical Christian work of salvation. The Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, indicates her divinely appointed office as Founder in these words in the Preface to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p xi): "When God called the author to proclaim His Gospel to this age, there came also the charge to plant and water His vineyard."

Throughout her writings our God-directed Leader stresses the paramount importance of the practical application of Christian Science whereby the sick are healed, the sorrowing are comforted and the sin-bound are released by means of spiritual regeneration. Indeed she tells us throughout her writings that the most convincing sermon we can preach is to practice and demonstrate Christian Science by healing sin and sickness. Many people have been attracted to Christian Science by observing its healing, harmonizing, and Christianizing effect upon their acquaintances.

Although the sermons of Christianly scientific living speak with conviction, there are frequent occasions when a vocal recommendation of Christian Science to one in need is desirable. When medically-minded men go out of their way to advise the use of certain material means in which they have faith, should those who have felt the healing touch of the great Physician, divine Love, keep silent for fear of being criticized or misunderstood? Surely in this respect we need more of the true missionary spirit, which prompts us to reach out to share with others the good which has come to us through the study and application of Christian Science.

Not only did God charge Mrs. Eddy "to plant and water His vineyard," but He also directed her so perfectly, and she obeyed so implicitly, that we have in our Church Manual adequate provisions to meet the needs of our movement, to guide its activities, and to protect those who understand and obey these directives.

Study of the Bible and of Mrs. Eddy's writings, together with careful consideration of conditions in Christian Science churches and societies, points to the convincing conclusion that promotion of the Cause of Christian Science must begin and continue with each individual beneficiary and student of the Science of Christianity. Any other and further needed steps, plans, and activities will unfold normally as natural results of the flowering of spiritual growth and development with individual church members. Teachers in our Sunday schools have no lack of pupils and no dearth of inspiration and fruitage when they put a full measure of unselfish devotion and deep consecration into their preparatory study, and then teach their classes in strict accord with the wise and adequate provisions of Article XX in the Manual of The Mother Church.

It is a significant fact that those who have realized healing through the study of Science and Health are seldom tempted by the alluring argument of error that they should be broad-minded and read books and pamphlets which purport to explain and simplify Science and Health. Alert students recognize that Mrs. Eddy's provisions in the Manual are for their guidance and protection, and so they gladly comply with Article IV, Section 1, which states that members of The Mother Church shall employ only the bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings as textbooks for their own instruction, for the teaching of others, and for the practice of metaphysical healing.

In the chapter in Science and Health from which teachers of Christian Science shall instruct their pupils, Mrs. Eddy tells us how we can progress most rapidly in the understanding and demonstration of Christian Science. She says (p. 495): "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit. Adhere to the divine Principle of Christian Science and follow the behests of God, abiding steadfastly in wisdom, Truth, and Love." Because this Christian system of metaphysics is Science, being based upon the divine law-creating and law-governing Principle, it must needs be studied systematically, and also applied according to divine rules.

One essential means and method of study prepared and presented by Mrs. Eddy, other than class instruction, is the Lesson-Sermon, "on which," she said, "the prosperity of Christian Science largely depends" (Manual, Art. III, Sect. 1). The understanding and proof of Christian Science progressively prosper with those who are faithful, thorough, and consistent in their study and application of these Lesson-Sermons.

As a confirmatory illustration we may cite the experience of a woman from whose body a large tumor had disappeared as a result of her study of Science and Health. Immediately she began attending Christian Science church services and studying the Lesson-Sermons, which are read at the Sunday services. Soon one who was blind appealed for Christian Science treatment to this woman, who, however, endeavored to have her go to a practitioner. The suppliant persisted in her request for treatment by this one, and finally, to show her gratitude to God for her own healing, this student agreed to act as practitioner.

She had not at that time received class instruction, nor had she discussed the subject of Christian Science with a practitioner. However, as she turned to God for guidance the thought came to her that each week's Lesson-Sermon was developed logically to the Christianly scientific conclusion of the omnipotence and perfection of God, good, and the consequent impotence of evil, imperfection, and disease. Thus she was led to employ the thoughts developed in the Lesson-Sermons as treatments, and as she identified these thoughts with divine Mind, the source of all that is true, she had full faith in the treatments.

Of course, the darkening belief called blindness disappeared as had the objectified mental condition called a tumor; for the might of Mind, the light of Love, is irresistible now, even as it was when Christ Jesus spoke with such divine authority and assurance that the blind, the deaf, the dumb were healed, the maimed were made whole, and the claims of death were annulled.

In all too many instances with those who have felt the healing touch of the Christ, the deadening influence of materialism is shown later in a dimming of their gratitude and a numbing of their enthusiastic joyous support of the Cause of Christian Science. Obedience to the laws of God naturally brings improved human conditions; limitation and lack give way to an abundance of needed things. But this in turn may beget a mesmerizing sense of case, pleasure, and satisfaction in matter.

If this erroneous tendency is not recognized and rejected as a satanic, snaring suggestion, an erstwhile grateful beneficiary of Christian Science may find himself neglecting his daily study, accepting and even making excuses for absenting himself from church services, and in time he may become merely a lukewarm believer in God's law and power. This laying aside of one's spiritual armor leaves him unprepared to meet aright the tempting and confusing arguments of material sense.

Early in his ministry Christ Jesus called Peter, John, and James from their fishing nets, and said to them that he would make them fishers of men. They gladly followed him, and during the ensuing period of Jesus' experience these three with other disciples learned of God's goodness, and demonstrated somewhat the law of Love in the healing work which the Master had enjoined upon them. But even after the disciples had seen Jesus twice after his resurrection Peter announced to six of his companions his intention to "go a fishing" (John 21:3). It is recorded that ' they went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing." At the dawn Jesus, standing on the shore, directed them to cast the net on the right side of the ship, and as they obeyed him their net was filled.

After they had come ashore, "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three" (John 21:11). After they had dined, Jesus said to Peter (John 21:15): "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs." The Scriptural record of Peter's fidelity and firmness for Principle shows that he consistently continued as a fisher of men.

Students of Christian Science need not experience the trials and troubles which inevitably result from inconsistency and irregularity in the study and application of the Science of Christianity, for error is always unnecessary. The Bible and Science and Health plainly point the path wherein we may walk and learn needed lessons through Science instead of through suffering. As this sensible method is followed we shall have better Scientists, and this in turn will make more Christian Scientists. Surely this is the best way to promote our beloved Cause.

Copyright, 1945, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, One, Norway Street, Boston 15, 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. Published every Saturday. Cost of remailing within the United States: I cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof. Foreign, including Canada, Newfoundland, and Pan-American countries: 1½ cents for each two ounces or fraction thereof.