Our Society

Society - where the proof is in the pudding

In her work, "Retrospection and Introspection,
Mary Baker Eddy recommends the following, on
page 62:3,

"Test Christian Science by its effect on society, and
you will find that the views here set forth -- as to
the illusion of sin, sickness, and death - bring forth
better fruits of health, righteousness, and Life,
than a belief in their reality has ever done. A
demonstrating of the unreality of evil destroys evil."

I find this recommendation indicating that the
uplifting of all of society, in church out of
church, is desirable.

In "Science and Health With Key To The Scriptures",
Mary Baker Eddy has this to say about what
Jesus established - and it was not "his church".
She said, this on page 138:2,

"Jesus purposed founding *his society*, not
on the personal Peter as a mortal, but on the
God-power which lay behind Peter's confession
of the true Messiah."

After several readings of the Church Manual
I find it gives one direction that working out
the idea of a physical sense of church leaves
one with what is known as a Christian Science
Society, which in turn leads to the idea of
a society in general that is infused and
leavened with the bread of Truth, through
of the practice of individual Christian
Scientists. So that although it seems that a
Society is desired as becoming a Christian
Science Church, the putting off of the institution
itself inevitably leads right back directly to
society, that once again hopefully is uplifted
by the application of Christian Science truths
applied thereto.

As regards improvement in Society,
ultimately it all goes back to the individual.
The individual must learn to do the proper
metaphysical work.

In the most pure sense a society of any sort is
only as good and strong, or as bad and weak as
its supposedly weakest component, since the
society is comprised of individuals.
I find it illuminating to note that this
sense of individual spiritual responsibility
that is demanded and required for an uplifted
society is indicated and virtually built into
the title of every single Christian Science
Church, inasmuch as each one carries the
title " . . . . . Church of Christ, *Scientist*,
note, singular, *not* Scientists - as not in the
plural!

Paula