THE order of services in The Mother Church and in all branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, is given in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy, and is generally adhered to by all recognized Christian Science churches and societies throughout the world. The usually large attendance and the earnest attitude of the worshipers in Christian Science church edifices are facts which markedly impress the public. The reason is obvious to those who have, even in a small measure, come under the benign influence of the ministrations of Christian Science. The young student, having learned something of the higher meaning of service, which Christian Science teaches, is usually a regular attendant; and if he is earnest, he will prepare himself for membership, first in a branch church, then in The Mother Church. The more advanced student, as well as the beginner, regards the church services as an essential help in furthering his understanding of the spiritual structure, the Church which Mrs. Eddy, standing on the mount, spiritually discerned, and thus defines in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583): "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." This inspiring definition takes away from the thought of Church all encumbrances of creed, dogma, mysticism, and even of denominationalism. It clothes it in the shining garment of purest metaphysics, and places it on the broad platform of practical usefulness and goodness.
Although the sincere student studies carefully each day the Lesson-Sermon for the week, as given in the Christian Science Quarterly, and may feel that he is quite conversant with it by the time Sunday comes round, still he listens with eager expectancy when it is being read in the Sunday service, hoping for further unfoldment of its meaning, in order that he may add to his understanding of the beauty, grandeur, and durability of the "structure of Truth and Love" which is appearing in his consciousness. Besides listening attentively to the reading of the Lesson-Sermon, he also strives to keep his thought receptive to Truth's unfoldment in every other part of the service. For each part of a Christian Science service is sacred; each part holds a message of deep spiritual import for the receptive consciousness; and in each part the healing Christ should therefore be lifted up.
Because the church services play a very definite part in leading thought to an understanding of true Church building, prayerful consideration should be given the stranger whose footsteps have been guided within our church doors in search of spiritual food. He should never go away unfed. We read in Hebrews, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." The thought which seeks help through the holy ministrations of a Christian Science service, whether it be from sin, sickness, sorrow, or poverty, ought never to be hampered by a sense of coldness or formalism. On the contrary, the mental atmosphere should be so filled with spiritual love, consecration, and peace, through mental preparation before and a prayerfully alert attitude during the service, on the part of each individual member, as to convey to the hungering heart the sweet benediction of that healing balm which inevitably comes from a holy and enlightened sense of worship. Whittier beautifully expresses this thought in a much loved hymn:
