Do we think of the Christian Science Reading Rooms as open doors of our churches? Most of us have seen churches of other denominations with their doors, or at least half of their main entrance, open daily, as an evident sign of welcome. While Christian Science churches do not generally maintain such a practice, it is a Rule in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy that each branch Church of Christ, Scientist, maintain a Reading RoomSee Man., Art. XXI, Sect. 1.—a place designed to accommodate anyone wishing to investigate this Science or to pursue its study and application. And The Mother Church in Boston maintains several of these rooms in conspicuous places.
In the book of Revelation, John was told to write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, "These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."Rev. 3:7, 8.
A Christian Science Reading Room fulfills its potential as "an open door" when those who maintain it have the love that truly welcomes the stranger or the neighbor. Mrs. Eddy's definition of Church in Science and Health is basic to Reading Room work: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.
