THE office of Reader in a Church of Christ, Scientist, is a sacred trust and requires consecration, unselfed love, wisdom, and, above all, an understanding of the words of Christ Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of John (8:28): "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." As a servant of God and under His orders, the Reader should aim first of all to please Him; then to bring out the words of Truth so clearly and joyfully that the message rather than the one giving the message stands out to the thought of the listener.
The appointment or election of a member to the position of Reader will not be the result of personal popularity when the church members are loyal to the Cause of Christian Science and to its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy.
Early in the unfoldment of this religion the custom, as in regular orthodox churches, was to have a sermon preached on the subject in hand. It was found, however, that many of the sermons which were being preached on Christian Science by its followers were often indoctrinated with other popular beliefs. Praying for further guidance to protect her discovery in its purity, Mrs. Eddy was led to establish the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," of which she is the author, as our only preachers (see the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, Art. XIV, Sect. 1).
The section called "Eligibility" in the Manual (Art. II, Sect. 2) pertains to Readers in The Mother Church, and the directions are brief and simple. They read in part: "The Directors shall select intelligible Readers who are exemplary Christians and good English scholars." These directions regarding Readers should be followed as closely as possible by branch churches.
It is related in "We Knew Mary Baker Eddy," First Series, that when Mrs. Eddy was talking with members of her household one morning, as was her custom, some discussion as to Readers arose. One of the small group asked Mrs. Eddy if she would not read for them the words of her hymn, "Feed My Sheep." She consented, and one who was privileged to be present wrote (pp. 15, 16): "When she reverently finished with 'Shepherd, wash them clean,' we felt we had had a baptism in Spirit, and were cleansed of much personal sense, self-consciousness, and fear."
These words of our Leader may prove a help to every Reader, a guide to the prayer that he also be "cleansed of much personal sense, self-consciousness, and fear." If one is God-conscious, then the error of becoming self-conscious when placed on a platform before an audience in a room or in an auditorium cannot trick the Reader into faults of speech or delivery which sometimes come through zeal without knowledge. Being God-conscious, the Reader is able to prove that nothing can interfere with the simplicity and purity of the message to which he is so desirous of doing justice.
Although the technique of reading aloud is not of first importance, some knowledge of this is often helpful. For instance, it is well to understand thoroughly the difference between correct speech and affected speech, for on that difference to a great extent hangs the uncertainty or the freedom of a Reader. When the Reader is studying the Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly in preparation for Sunday, a dictionary close by is, of course, a necessity, not only for looking up the meaning and pronunciation of unfamiliar words brought to light by our Leader's wonderful vocabulary, but also for correct pronunciation of short, ordinary words. The latter are sometimes incorrectly spoken because of habits of speech or perhaps because of speech mannerisms which are due to geographical location.
Distinctness and clear enunciation are essential, since among the listeners there undoubtedly are many who are not familiar with the Lesson-Sermon being read, and others who know practically nothing of Christian Science and have come to the service to be enlightened. If there are strangers within our gates, those we especially hope to reach, the loss or changing of a single word, whether at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence, may result in confusion or complete misunderstanding on the part of the newcomer.
The responsibility for the spiritual impetus which is to be gained through a Christian Science church service does not rest solely with the Readers. In branch churches the Readers have usually been placed at the desk by the majority vote of the members, who naturally give loving support to those elected. Such support is needed in every line of right endeavor, and in a Church of Christ, Scientist, where love replaces censoriousness, where approbation replaces criticism, and where God alone governs the thought of each member, a healing and uplifting experience will be the natural result.
As an illustration of the congregation's part in the art of listening, the following simple example is enlightening. One who was a member of a musical organization, broadcasting nightly over the radio, met with this comment: "Sometimes the orchestra sounds much better than at other times." In reply the musician quietly rejoined, "Remember, it depends a great deal on the way you listen." Perhaps we as listeners can apply the import of this brief conversation to our inmost thoughts as we attend a church service. That practitioner who sees faults in his patient and endeavors to correct them humanly, instead of seeing the patient as God's perfect child, is not the best healer. That church member who feels annoyed by actions in the conduct of his church, instead of realizing that he is in the sanctuary of Spirit, is not helping to fill empty seats. Seeing through eyes of love and hearing through ears of love have a healing effect. Seeing the perfect children of God as Christian Science teaches us to do and hearing the Word of God regardless of who reads that Word, lift us above personal likes and dislikes.
The loyal church member, who has taken the name of Christian Scientist, is ready to serve in whatever capacity he is placed through the operation of Truth, whether as Reader, Sunday School teacher, checkroom attendant, or usher, and he serves in his appointed place with joy. This joy cannot be lost sight of through any tendency toward overseriousness, self-importance, or a burdened sense of false responsibility. Christian Science is not a religion of sackcloth and ashes. It is not depressingly solemn in its presentation, but is joyful because it brings to the world an understanding of God and His saving power. This power heals sickness, reveals the deceptive quality of sin, silences discord, and destroys fear. As the Readers and all concerned in the details of the church service remember to reflect the joy which the Master said "no man taketh from you" (John 16:22), an inspiring and healing service will prove the rule.
When all who have accepted Christian Science as their guide and goal express divine Love, our churches will be filled with sincere seekers for Truth. The honest efforts of those called upon to read in our churches will be sustained, and those groping for light within the doors of our churches will be drawn to that place where they may gain fresh hope, health, and happiness.
