MANY centuries ago a group of Hebrews gathered to hear the Word of God read. In the eighth chapter of Nehemiah we learn how that reading was done under divine guidance: "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."
The privilege of reading in a Church of Christ, Scientist, is at once a joy and a responsibility so great that it can be contemplated only with the deepest humility. The only preachers in Christian Science churches are the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. They were ordained as Pastor by our Leader in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. XIV, Sect. 1). Therefore, the Readers who read the Lesson as it is given in the Christian Science Quarterly are but mouthpieces' through which the Lesson-Sermon is preached.
The preparation which should be made by each one who is called to the important office of Reader is greater than is perhaps at first apparent. To be adequately prepared in all ways to stand before a congregation week after week and read clearly the message of Truth calls for regular hours of devotion to prayer and study. We read in the Church Manual (Art. Ill, Sect. 1) that upon the Lesson-Sermon "the prosperity of Christian Science largely depends." Careful research in the Scriptures and in all of Mrs. Eddy's writings is highly desirable in order to gain a fuller understanding of the Lesson. The Readers' apprehension of the spiritual message of the Lesson helps the receptive listener to hear the message and be blessed by it. Since "the prosperity of Christian Science largely depends" upon the Lesson Sermon, it must contain the spiritual food which is vital not only to the growth and progress of the Cause of Christian Science but also to the progress of the individual student. As needed nourishment, then, the Lesson should be partaken of daily, consistently and systematically.
