Today, good diction is in demand. A poorly delivered news broadcast is rare. Drama, without good enunciation, on the air or in the theater is generally unacceptable. In oral recording, good diction is called "presence"; without it, the session is scrapped.
As a general rule, good diction characterizes the solos sung in the Churches of Christ, Scientist. In fact, when clear enunciation marks the performance, the solo contributes much to the harmony and inspiration of the service. It helps to provide an atmosphere of receptivity for the reading of the Lesson-Sermon, which immediately follows the solo. This order was established by Mrs. Eddy, who wrote, "Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love—be it song, sermon, or Science— blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty." Science and Health, p. 234; The marginal heading here is "Crumbs of comfort."
One of these crumbs may be thought of as the solo's text, the purpose of which is to bless the human family—and the blessings will flow in proportion to the soloist's ability to make the message and its spiritual significance plain. To supply that need, it is important for every word of the solo to be clearly articulated with strength, tenderness, and conviction. The soloist is enabled to do this by enthroning God's Word in consciousness. Then Christian Science, instead of human will, is allowed to govern the work. This spiritual reliance subdues the anxieties intimately associated with public solo singing. The Christly comfort in the text is thus shared by both soloist and congregation. Mrs. Eddy writes, "The intercommunication is always from God to His idea, man." ibid., p. 284;
