The Christian Science Reading Room is an institution for modern times. Perhaps no other feature of the Christian Science movement illustrates more clearly the fact that this religion is one that emphasizes not only Sunday observances but constant, daily devotions wherever we may find ourselves. A Christian Science Reading Room is available in many cities and towns and in many countries, within easy reach of most people.
No action of Mrs. Eddy's illustrates more clearly her keen grasp of the needs of our times, and her prophetic vision of the needs of times to come, than her provision for the establishment of these Reading Rooms. A church edifice alone could not meet the needs of the church membership and of the general public for daily worship. A church edifice might remain open at all hours, and members might repair to it for prayer and meditation. But the general public, the nonmembers, would not as a rule be attracted into it as they passed by. If a stranger did enter the building, he would be likely to find it unfamiliar, often cold and uninviting. And facilities for study would probably be nonexistent.
What was required was a place, centrally located, where any individual, church member or not, who was in need of spiritual refreshment as he went about his daily affairs could find it. The Reading Room was the answer to this crying need.
