Church
by Bicknell Young
In working for the church you should know that it is established by divine Principle and all of its activities are carried on by the law of Principle and controlled by it. Our church, humanly speaking, is established to enable mankind to find the Science of Life, and if it is to fulfill its mission we must protect it from all attacks from within and without. To do this we must see that there is no evil to oppose it or interfere with the unfoldment, that the belief of opposition on the part of mortal mind, specifically expressed as false theology, Roman Catholicism, or materia medica has no avenue or channels, means or modes, or methods by which or through which it can claim to act. That it cannot through subtle aggressive mental suggestions manifest itself as a member or members of a Christian Science Church to cause disintegration from within. Use definition of “Church” from Glossary. First part defines spiritual church, while the second part defines its human evidence.
In working specifically for the service, know that the service is Mind declaring, explaining, and unfolding itself. Mind being omnipotent, there is nothing opposing it. It also is omnipresent and so it is heard, understood, and enlightens all who hear it, and the whole community is thereby blessed. See S&H 583 — Church.
The Word was with God and the Word was God. You are the Word of God. This is the word of God, repeated after Him, and it is His voice.
The angels of His presence will prepare thought with receptivity and spiritual hunger to receive God’s impartation of Truth. He shall give His Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways, is the promise.
May we realize that the spiritual ideas from God have charge of the service and that they will draw to it those who yearn to be calmed, cleansed, comforted, those ready to be awakened, illumined, and healed.
“They shall bear thee up in their hands,” shall bear thee up from earth to see and take the things of God. “And I if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32
Of the errors that would strive to interrupt the sacredness of the hour shall we not say as did the men of old, “Let them be as chaff before the wind” and let the angel of the Lord chastise them.
God’s message, Christian Science, will proclaim itself and we shall hear and rejoice together.
Permanent in consciousness is that which the angels bring.
Not your voice and mine but God’s voice. There is no place where His voice is not heard.
God alone does everything in His Church. God alone irresistibly attracts everyone to His Church, to the infinite consciousness of good.
God proves continuously that there is no evil, no sin, no death, God is the only Reader in the Church of Christ, Scientist. The message He gives is the most blessed, powerful and effective of anything in the universe. His message instantly frees, heals, and uplifts mankind.
All of God’s children belong to His church, and reflect all of His qualities.
There is no contention or strife in the Church of Christ, Scientist, no hatred, no malice, no resentment, no slander, nor any ill will, because God’s children reflect only peace, love, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, and are all happy with each other.
God is the one and only power; there is no power, no belief, or anything apart from God.
Error cannot silence or disarm God’s voice. It sends forth currents of Truth, God’s methods and means of healing and spreading the gospel.
Today we need to hear His voice, listen to His word, and serve no other gods. My. 152:20
Miscellaneous Writings 150:31 — God is our shepherd.
Christian Science is God’s own revelation to this age. The church service is one of God’s activities in our church. It has the sanction and authority of omnipresence, omnipotence. Its activity is ordered by omniscience. The all attractiveness of the only Truth draws as the polar magnet attracts the compass, every eligible one in the community ready to receive its education and enlightenment. No opposition really exists to Love and its redemptive purposes. No apathy, prejudices, pride or self will divert from the Father-Mother and His activity, (His children) or hinder the giving and receiving of Love’s provisioning of His own. Evil cannot threaten the accomplishing of God’s purpose, expressed in Church service. God is always at hand. Christian Science is His revelation; the church and all its activities are raised by His hand to do His work, and for that He is strong in power; not one faileth. His purpose never fails.
Be spiritually thought-conscious rather than humanly word-conscious.
Your duty is to serve for the honor and glory of God. You can take your place without fear, fully confident that you are able to perform your tasks when the time comes. Spiritual poise cannot be shaken. Infinite Mind supplies all the intelligence and wisdom needed for the moment. When we learn to place ourselves wholly in God’s care, we lose all tenseness, sense of pressure, fear of failure, and know instead the serenity and joy of spiritual freedom. Put into operation God’s law of protection. Be instant in utilizing the power and availability of Truth and Love. Who is so great a God as our God? Ps. 77: 13
God does not fail us. Seek Him with courage, faith and whole-hearted devotion. “The divine Principle which governs the universe, including man, if demonstrated, is sufficient for all emergencies.” Miscellaneous Writings 41:26.
There is but one Mind and one law for all of God’s creation — the law of Spirit; therefore there can be no interference with the God-inspired, God-directed, God-protected, activity of Church service and reading of His word. The true and only selfhood of each welcomes and cooperates with His holy purpose and is abundantly blessed in doing so.
God’s law is the only law present and operative, and all His ideas are responsive to it. Since there is but one ever present Mind, none other can be expressed. Sentinel, Dec. 6, ’47.
“The so-called pleasures and pains of matter perish, and they must go out under the blaze of Truth, spiritual sense ….” S&H 296
Matt. 10: 19-20 — “When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”
Prov. 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.”
S&H 244:23 “Man in Science is neither young nor old.”
The responsibility is God’s. All I can do is to reflect God’s ability. I can of mine own self do nothing; God is in charge of the service. He is guiding and unfolding His message. He alone is cause and effect. Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing.”
Science and Health, p.454:19; Pulpit and Press, p.10:7
Be ye holy, for I am holy, embodying spiritual perfection, free from possible defilement, spiritually whole, sound, pure in heart — godly — acceptable to God. Ps. 19:14
Self Interpreting Bible, page 900, Vol. 2 under “Reflection.”
God richly endows men with proper gifts and grace when he intends them for distinguished works in His church. If God calls us to a difficult service He can make all things concur to our encouragement.
“The Lord will perfect that which concemeth me: Thy mercy, 0 Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands.” Ps. 138:8
You are the word of God. This is the word of God, repeated after Him, and It is His voice.
At the end of the silent prayer, “Father-Mother God, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard our prayers and we are blest.”
Isa. 55:11
Isa. 41: 10
John 15: 1-7
Hymn 175
I Chron. 16:23, 27, 29
Behold not me — but behold my message. The spiritual meaning will appear through the reading as light through the pane. Mind manifests itself. Mind is manifested to everyone in every place. No place where Mind and voice of God is not heard.
God is everywhere. “There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard and this voice is Truth that destroys error and love casts out fear.”
The voice of Truth is never silenced, and the ear of man is never stopped (Journal, Nov. ’49, p.49)
The individuality of the real man is immune to every false claim of aggressive evil. (June 3, ’50, p.928)
The steps that reach the attainment of answered prayer are these:
- 1st A spiritual perception of our divine resources.
- 2nd A mental laying hold of these resources by affirming their reality and our right to them.
- 3rd The continuance of this affirmation until our consciousness reaches the state of clear spiritual realization; this, clearly held will — in the words of Science and Health — bring the things of Life, Truth and Love into a demonstration. To repeat: Keeping clearly before us the Truth — that in the limitless treasuries of God there is a present supply for every need. True prayer is a spiritual perception, an affirmation, a realization, and a demonstration of these resources of Life and Love.
Be a joyous reader. Read with confidence. Much, much time in prayer — seeking God’s help each service, reflect courage, joy, and healing love. John 17 — Unity prayer.
“The Healing Atmosphere of Christian Science Church Service.” Herschel P. Nunn-Journal, Feb. 1933
Here I am Father — use me. I am absent from the body, mortality-and at one with Soul-spiritual consciousness.
Let me be a channel through which divine Mind, Love is expressed-use me according to Thy plan and purpose.
“Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.” Psalms
The stranger within thy gates may find in these meetings a vital, practical sense of religion and worship which will bring him healing and regeneration.
Entertain this consciousness; an atmosphere of peace and quietness; a sense of the presence of God, a recognition that there is a place of refuge. “Under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Lift thought above the miasma of mortal mind and breathe the atmosphere of divine Mind. “Pure Mind gives out an atmosphere that heals and saves.”
Pray for the congregation collectively, exclusively for the congregation as a whole.
Recognize the presence and power of Mind, the all-inclusiveness of God. See the nothingness of evil suggestions and erroneous thinking. The seeming spell of materiality needs to be broken. Realize the oneness of man with infinite Mind: the omnipresence of God, His healing power, His beneficence. This displaces the atmosphere of mortal sense with the atmosphere which heals and saves.
SEE the church service as a tabernacle where God is revealed to each waiting thought. Everyone present may entertain a consciousness, alert, receptive, eager, hungry for the bread of life. Affirm these truths in the silent prayer.
Divine Mind is a law of peace, quietness, joy, and serenity to this occasion, hallowing, blessing, beautifying the hour of service. Those present will receive good in abundance. They will touch the hem of Christ’s garment and be healed. No false belief can seem real or operate to clog or obstruct the receptivity of those present or quench their inspiration. Error is powerless, substanceless, ineffective to befog the atmosphere of intelligence, of illumined spiritual thinking, perception, comprehension.
The holy purpose of the Church service cannot be abrogated, annulled nor be de-consecrated, for it is born of immutable Truth. God has sent these messages of hope and joy which are given forth in the atmosphere of Love. He has blessed them and hallowed them. None can be deprived of His gift.
Readers should devote time and prayer to the preparation of this work. Truth alone does the work. The metaphysical preparation for filling your post is an un selfing process. Divine Love stands back of each student in all his activity. Claim this protection. Man. 8, Sec. 1.
Mind comprehends within Himself all being and is forever effortlessly and joyously expressing Himself within the compass of His own infinitude.
God is the Ego, or I AM. Within Himself lies all ability, genius, talent, perfection, completeness, beauty, performance. All power of self-expression belongs to Him and is unrestricted and unlabored in Mind. Man has no limited capacity. He has no inherent ability within himself — consequently he has no disability. He exists in God’s reflection, God does the expressing. Man is the term which denotes the expression.
The belief of being an independent worker, a human person who is trying to express God, must give place to the realization that Mind alone is expressing itself and that both the opportunity to serve and the performance of the service are embraced in divine Mind. True service expresses the reliability of Principle, the beauty of Love, the vitality of Life, the strength of Spirit, the flawlessness of Truth, the tranquility of Soul, and the intelligence of Mind.
In Mind is no timid performer, no critical audience, in forever Mind there are no untried first times nor is there any inadequacy, self mistrust, or hesitance, to the thought radiant with inspiration. There is no sensitiveness to materiality or deification or malpractice or fear of other people’s thoughts.
SERVE the Lord with gladness, exemplify the spiritual dignity, peace and poise of Soul. Ivimy Gwalter “Serving with Gladness” 410-48.
The voice of Truth is strong, clear, free, and full of meaning. Mind does all without any effort on our part, and Mind knows no mistakes, of omissions or commissions. What Mind does is perfect.
Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from “God to man speaking to the human consciousness.”
Error is an aggressive suggestion of mortal mind based on the mistaken and material concept of men and the universe which humanity has been educated to accept. There is no fear in divine Mind and the only true consciousness is the reflection of divine Mind. Fear is not in the consciousness but is the result of accepting the suggestion of error as to the existence of an intelligence apart from the one and only Mind. Do not agree with error when it says to you that fear is in your consciousness, but remember that one can only be truly conscious of that which God knows and governs.
PROTECT the work. After all, that is your most important duty at this time.
Time is, after all, a mortal belief. We live in eternity now and are always in our heavenly Father’s care. You will be able to do the work easily and naturally with humility and understanding.
Do not be anxious about the fulfillment of your work but recognize the support which comes to you from divine Mind and let Truth speak for itself.
Keep in mind that the word of God carries its own message to every receptive heart and our service is really God’s message to His children.
Jesus read with divine inspiration because of His close communion with God. The same divine inspiration is available to all Readers in Christian Science churches. Not Words but Word of God heals. Eliminate every vestige of self that the tender healing message of His word may reach every receptive heart and thought. Express love in reading.
The living Truth in our Church service is spoken with conviction, certainty, authority, power, enlightenment, quality, quantity, form, animation, buoyancy, joy and happiness, inspiration; joyous spiritual knowing, praise, clearness (clear as crystal) attractiveness, color, joyous accomplishment, vitality, perfect diction, beauty and clarity of speech, irradiated with light of Truth, flexibility and freedom of voice, variation in tone, the unction of Love, graciousness and dignity, harmonious tones, with proper inflection, proper balance, spoken in living spiritual ideas, compassion and.healing radiancy, the buoyancy of divine grace, the assurance of meekness, the poise of infinite intelligence and healing effect, penetrating reach, the life giving power of Truth acting on human belief, sufficient strength and volume to be heard by all.
Science and Health, Page 496, Line 15 — “Hold perpetually this thought — that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being…”
ANY SEEMING LACK OF VOICE IS BUT ANOTHER lie of mortal mind.
December 1947 Journal — “Man is the full and perfect expression of God. A Reader in Church, instead of regarding himself as a person reading to other persons, perhaps feeling a sense of personal responsibility in his desire to benefit or please, can lift thought above this belief of a congregation or collection of persons to generic man, the son of God. This would include the understanding that man, being the “Full and perfect expression of Mind, is always at the standpoint of perfect spiritual comprehension, which is expressed in understanding, wisdom, intelligence, health, abundance, sinlessness, and satisfaction. Such uplifted awareness on the part of one or more in a church congregation of the involubility of man’s oneness with God, Mind, bears fruitage in healing and correct instruction of all present who are hungering and thirsting forthe Truth.”
I Cor. 12: 4, 6-8 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit, there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh All-in-All. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
Eph. 4: 7-13 “But unto everyone of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Zeph. 3:9 “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.”
Science and Health p. 89: 18-20 — “Mind is not necessarily dependent upon educational processes. It possesses of itself all beauty and poetry, and the power of expressing them.”
Science and Health p. 117: 6-7 — “God is Spirit, therefore, the language of Spirit must be, and is, spiritual. (the new tongue)
The fact is when you are repeating the Word of God, after Him, you not only make your audience hear you, but you definitely reach every receptive heart in the entire world. Do not agree with discouraging reports about your voice, etc., refuse to be mesmerized; rise in the strength of God, realize that you are speaking for Him! of HIM! as HIM! and that God is using you to express His blessed Truth. Then you will be heard all right irrespective of the size of the room or hall and the Truth you think and the Truth that you speak will penetrate individual consciousness everywhere.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1: 1. The Word — The Power of Mind manifest. Divine Mind knows all, is all that knows, and includes all that is known.
A Second Reader was taken with a claim, and this claim made her believe she could not speak, loud or clear. While waiting to go on the platform, she declared the Truth, and finally said, God, you will have to do the reading through me, I can only stand up there by holding on to the desk. I will just be the channel.” Then a voice said, “Well, that is all you are ever supposed to do.” After the service, theFirst Reader put out his hand and said; “You never read better in your life.”
“Church. The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The church is that institution — which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.” S&H
Church Work — Herald — March 1936 Sinclair
God, Truth, being infinite, Truth alone has reality and power; also that since God is infinite good and evil consequently unreal, no obstructive thought in reality exists to interfere with the service, cannot keep the sincere seeker for Truth from them, cannot prevent the truth from being apprehended and understandingly declared, hold back the testimonies of healing at testimony meetings, or stifle the harmony and gladness which should animate every student of Christian Science.
Invitation
Isaiah 55:1 — Ho, everyone 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. Matt. 11: 28-30 — Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Acceptance
Luke 13:29 — And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south (and from near and from far) and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Prayer by Mrs. Hoag: “Dear Father-Mother God: Oh mighty Mind! Oh tender Love! Keep each member of this Thy sacred church true to its every tenet and Rule and By-Law that Thy name may be so glorified that all the world will quickly and gladly yield to Thy all-holy, all-powerful, all-intelligent, all-beneficent control.” — Dear Father-Mother God, help us to improve the many opportunities for sharing the bread from heaven which Thou in Thy tender Love art daily giving us.”