Mrs. Eddy was not only an inspired writer of prose but also a fine poet. Seven of her poems have been set to music. As part of the Christian Science Hymnal, they are regularly sung as hymns in Christian Science churches and societies. Each poem has several alternative melodies, which bring out in different ways the tender, Christly message of the inspired words.
The question of how often our Leader's hymns should be sung is answered by Mrs. Eddy herself in the following statement: "It would be a good thing to have one of my hymns read and sung about every Sunday. It would spiritualize the thought of your audience, and this is more needed in the church than aught else can be."
"Handbook for Readers" (Boston: The Christian Science Publishing Society, 1981), p. 29 . With these words of Mrs. Eddy's in mind, many Readers in branch churches include one of her hymns in each Sunday service. And because of the infinite nature of the spiritual messages or ideas contained in her hymns, one or more of them specifically fits in with the subject and theme of the Lesson-Sermon outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly for each Sunday of the year.
Alternatively, one of the several beautiful solo settings for these poems (available through The Christian Science Publishing Society) can be chosen for the Sunday solo. Such solos often reveal an added dimension to the meaning of Mrs. Eddy's words. Also, at the Wednesday evening testimony meeting it is frequently the practice to sing one of Mrs. Eddy's hymns. Here again the variety of spiritual ideas and healing messages in one of these hymns can bring inspiration to a Reader and provide the foundation for a Wednesday reading.
