The weary traveler in the desert welcomes the sight of green foliage and blossoms. It is a sign that he is approaching an oasis. Here he can pause and find refreshment and strength for the onward journey. Well may our Christian Science Reading Rooms signify an oasis to the weary traveler in the desert of materiality.
Through divine inspiration Mary Baker Eddy established the Christian Science Reading Room as an essential part of the Christian Science movement. Article XXI of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy reads (Sect. 1), "Each church of the Christian Science denomination shall have a Reading Room, though two or more churches may unite in having Reading Rooms, provided these rooms are well located." As we witness the globe-encircling establishment of Christian Science and know that wherever a church is established, there too will be found a Reading Room, we realize what an integral factor of the movement the Reading Room is. It is one of the means of giving Christian Science to the world.
The Reading Room provides the living water of Truth that can quench the thirst of the seeking thought. In explaining the Christ to the woman of Samaria, Jesus said (John 4:14), "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." This living water, the Christ, or Truth, has been made available to mankind through the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. When we earnestly study and ponder the Bible and this textbook, we shall receive grace sufficient for the day, whatever our human need.
