"ALL are cordially invited to attend our services, and to use the Reading Room." Such is the friendly invitation extended to those attending the services of a church of the Christian Science denomination. A dictionary gives these definitions of the verb "use": "to make use of;" "to avail oneself of;" also, "to accustom; habituate."
Recently the writer was prompted to ask herself searchingly, Am I using the Reading Room? Am I availing myself to the fullest extent of the good to be gained by making use of this quiet place? She was compelled to answer in the negative. True, she availed herself of the facilities provided there for subscribing to the Christian Science periodicals and for purchasing the Bible, and other authorized literature, including "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and other works by Mary Baker Eddy. Of course, she occasionally went to the Reading Room for study and metaphysical work, but she did not go frequently. An honest examination of her thought brought to light the fact that she was using the Reading Room as a salesroom rather than seeing it as a broad channel through which the spiritual, healing power of Christian Science freely flows for the benefit of the whole community.
When the apostles questioned him as to where they should prepare for him to eat the Passover, Jesus told them to go into the city and they would be led to a certain house. The "goodman of the house," he said, "will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us." (See Mark 14:12-17.) The room was there; it was available to them, it was large, it was furnished and prepared for them. One might assume that all was in readiness and that no further preparation remained to be made; but Jesus, through the wisdom of the Christ, instructed them to "make ready for us"—to make ready for the Christ and those who loved the Christ.
