The office of Reader in a Christian Science church is essentially ministerial. Whether he reads from the sacred Scriptures or from the divinely inspired Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the Reader is ministering spiritual food to the congregation. As Paul wrote to Timothy (II Tim. 3:16,17), "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
Reading which comprehensively communicates ideas from the printed page to a congregation requires more than the mere utterance of words. Reading, like singing, is an art comprising recognized technics which should be intelligently understood, and not blindly imitated. Correct platform deportment, pronunciation, inflection, phrasing, and the indicating of the ideas, all are essential. Competent instruction in such technics is permissible.
In Dr. Powell's "Mary Baker Eddy: A Life Size Portrait" (p. 304), Mrs. Choate describes our Leader's meticulous training, in every detail of delivery and platform etiquette, of young Warren Choate, whom she appointed to represent, before the public, the Christian Science Sunday School. Mrs. Eddy's thorough drilling of the lad illustrates her advocacy of proper preparation for public performance. Both in Science and Health (p. 235) and in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. Ill, Sects. 1 and 6), our Leader indicates the importance of the Reader's ability to read intelligently and of his moral and spiritual qualification to minister the message of the Christ, Truth.
