Strength in numbers?

The last chapter of II Samuel speaks of the census which David called to number the people, and for which a “pestilence” was sent.  There are two articles on JSH-Online (see http://jsh.christianscience.com/) which mention this census. They are by Floyd C Shank
(Christian Science Journal Sept. 1 1958 - http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1958/9/76-9/increasing-church-membership) and William E Moody (Christian Science Journal April 1 1978 - http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1978/4/96-4/numbering-the-members). Both articles also refer to Mrs. Eddy’s By-Law provision that there shall be no numbering of the people in Christian Science (Church Manual p. 48:16).  

I Chron. 21:1 reads: “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.”  II Samuel 24:1 has:  “And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, ad he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.”

Joyce Voysey

PS Thank you Colleen Moore for your comment on my recent post titled "Writing for Posterity".