In 1907 Mrs. Eddy foresaw the importance of identifying who we are in the community when she specified, "My Beloved Christian Scientists:—Because I suggested the name for one central Reading Room, and this name continues to be multiplied . . . please adopt generally for your name, Christian Science Reading Room. . . .
"Merely this appellative seals the question of unity, and opens wide on the amplitude of liberty and love a far-reaching motive and success, of which we can say, the more the better" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany) .
As Reading Rooms increase in their healing influence, they come closer to epitomizing Mrs. Eddy's ideal: "A Christian Scientist occupies the place at this period of which Jesus spoke to his disciples, when he said: 'Ye are the salt of the earth.' 'Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.' Let us watch, work, and pray that this salt lose not its saltness, and that this light be not hid, but radiate and glow into noontide glory" (Science and Health).
