After many years as soloist for the branch Church of Christ, Scientist, of which I am a member, I retired from this position and did not expect to act in this capacity again. I stopped practicing and eventually found it difficult even to sing hymns.
One Sunday morning recently, it became apparent shortly before the service that the soloist could not sing, even though he made every effort to do so. As part of the Music Committee, I first reacted by asking the First Reader to read the words of the solo. But after discussing the matter with the organist, I decided to take the soloist's place. As soon as this decision was made, I asked both Readers to pray specifically about this aspect of the service, and they readily agreed to do this.
Although I had sung this solo before, it had been eight years since I had done so. Before the service, I referred to Science and Health, where Mrs. Eddy says: "The understanding that the Ego is Mind, and that there is but one Mind or intelligence, begins at once to destroy the errors of mortal sense and to supply the truth of immortal sense. This understanding makes the body harmonious; it makes the nerves, bones, brain, etc., servants, instead of masters. If man is governed by the law of divine Mind, his body is in submission to everlasting Life and Truth and Love" (p. 216). During my three decades of singing, this reference had been a constant help to me. My turning to it again, along with the supportive prayers of the Readers, resulted in a satisfactory rendition of the solo.
