The office of Reader in our churches must be approached from a metaphysical basis. The work needs to be lifted above the human sense of the task to its divine essence. Not that it isn't right to read correctly according to the best technical standards; this should make for clarity and undiverted attention to what's being said. But over all else, the good Reader is the one who understands deeply what he or she is reading.
Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health: "The 'still, small voice' of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe's remotest bound. The inaudible voice of Truth is, to the human mind, 'as when a lion roareth.' It is heard in the desert and in dark places of fear. It arouses the 'seven thunders' of evil, and stirs their latent forces to utter the full diapason of secret tones. Then is the power of Truth demonstrated,— made manifest in the destruction of error."Science and Health, p. 559.
To the degree that we understand the divine truths read in our services, such power begins to be exercised.
