There have doubtless been times when Christian Scientists have asked themselves why their beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, specified in the Church Manual that the prayers in their churches should be for the congregations. This question is answered when it is discerned that the Churches of Christ, Scientist, are established to reach and bless all mankind.

This being the case, all grateful Christian Scientists are eager and ready to have a part in the work to be done in this wide field. They are willing to pray for their brothers because they are eager to make Christian Science more widely known and available; they are alert to manifest the compassionate qualities that draw all men to the feast of Love prepared for them at the church services.

Our Leader, in her writings, leaves no doubt as to the meaning of Church and the reason for erecting material structures. In a message to a branch church, to be found on page 208 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," she says, "I congratulate you on the prospect of erecting a church building, wherein to gather in praise and prayer for the whole human family."

From this statement of Mrs. Eddy's we deduce that since work in church is for the benefit of all mankind, every part of church activity is of vital importance. When one becomes a member of a church, he begins to be aware of this fact and sets out to take each step and fulfill each task assigned him with alertness, love, and expectation of a continuous unfoldmend of good. He has enlisted to put aside a false sense of self and to work for mankind, and he knows that even the smallest part of that work is important and productive.

It is the responsibility of the members of a Christian Science church to support, maintain, and keep the church building in constant orderly readiness for guests by bringing out the highest possible sense of beauty and harmony in it and in its surroundings. It is their privilege always to be present to receive the guests when they arrive, to usher them in with love and joy, as though saying to them in the words of Isaiah (55:1), "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Consideration and tender care of those who seem to be lonely, hesitant, troubled, are needed at all times to help them to find the truth that will meet their needs, until they in turn are ready to help others.

Some denominational churches keep an open door so that those in need of a period of prayer and spiritual refreshment may go in. The Reading Room is the open door of the Churches of Christ, Scientist, and there the thought hungering for the truth may find satisfying nutriment in an atmosphere of peace and love. The church member, as a host to mankind, therefore eagerly supports his Reading Room and acquaints himself with the great good it has to offer, that he may recommend its blessings to those with whom he comes in contact.

For the same reason he subscribes for the Christian Science periodicals and reads them, is willing when led of God to write for them, and he distributes them, encouraging others to do the same. The periodicals were established for mankind, for the dissemination of the truth, and the alert church member knows that any activity or committee work in connection with them is also blessed because of their holy purpose of reaching out in helpfulness, love, and tenderness to all men.

The church member needs to support his fellow members and to work with them harmoniously, for in church activities he demonstrates what he knows about the application of Christian Science. He should be consistent in this demonstration, approaching each problem from the standpoint of the applicability of absolute Christian Science to all human problems. For example, the members of the house committee in a branch church found it necessary to secure a new caretaker for the church property. The members decided that instead of going out to search for a person to fill this position they would first decide on what qualities they wanted to see manifested, such as order, co-operation, friendliness, competence, and dependability, and then recognize that these qualities belong to man. They knew that as their thought realized the presence of these qualities in man the one expressing them would be available when and where needed. This proved to be the case, for without their taking any other steps the right man appeared, made application, and was hired.

If one were ever tempted to underrate church organization, he need only think what would happen to the Cause of Christian Science without the protection of The Mother Church. Our beloved Leader could perhaps have kept Christian Science to herself. It was her nature, however, to share with others, and so her course was set to give this truth to all mankind. She was also led by infinite wisdom to establish the organization that would promote and protect every phase of that healing and redemptive mission. In humble and grateful obedience let us then unite in silent prayer for the congregation in our church, and strive to uphold and further the purpose of our church to reach out to and help all mankind.

Our Leader writes (Miscellany, p. 189), "The silent prayers of our churches, resounding through the dim corridors of time, go forth in waves of sound, a diapason of heart-beats, vibrating from one pulpit to another and from one heart to another, till truth and love, commingling in one righteous prayer, shall encircle and cement the human race."