Mary Baker Eddy has stated that the prosperity of Christian Science depends largely upon the Lesson-Sermons, provided for in the Christian Science Quarterly (see Manual of The Mother Church, Art. III, Sect. 1). It is scarcely possible, then, to overemphasize the importance of the study of the weekly Lesson-Sermon. And since Readers in Churches of Christ, Scientist, have the privilege of reading the lesson to the Sunday congregations, they occupy a most important office.
Readers in branch churches are usually elected by the balloting of their fellow members. At such elections there should be a sincere desire to let God's choice prevail. Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 455), "God selects for the highest service one who has grown into such a fitness for it as renders any abuse of the mission an impossibility." She says in the same paragraph, "When He commissions a messenger, it is one who is spiritually near Himself." The church members who keep this thought uppermost when balloting can be confident that it is God who controls the final choice.
The apostles of Christ Jesus set us a good example when they filled the vacancy caused by the defection of Judas. After nominating two disciples, they prayed (Acts 1:24), "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen." Then by lot they elected Matthias.
