Article October 16, 1909 Issue

THE CONGREGATION'S OPPORTUNITY

EMMA R. LEWIS.

The heading of these lines, but not the subject-matter, was suggested by a very helpful article, entitled "The Church Usher's Opportunity," which appeared in the Sentinel not long ago. Very few, if any, of the members of a congregation can understand, unless they have had a like experience, just what the first appearance before a church body means to the Readers. Though theirs is, or should always be, a "labor of love," it is none the less labor, and calls forth its portion of self-giving, of effort, of care.

To one who is not a trained public speaker, the adaptation of the voice to the unusual and often large space, takes time and practice. The effort to make each word distinct across the unaccustomed distance is apt to absorb the Reader's attention to the exclusion of the proper expression, and as a result one sometimes hears from recently installed Readers the same mechanical intonation a child gives when he first begins to read aloud. The variety of tone is sacrificed to the volume of sound. The very intenseness of the Reader's desire to be about the Father's business, and that to the utmost of his or her ability, may cause an appearance of too deep concentration on the books and consequent lack of attention to the audience.

And how soul-satisfying it is to know that we, the congregation, can by the love-illumined understanding which Christian Science brings to each and all of us, understand all this, and so think as we would be thought of; that by our right thinking we may furnish our Readers with such a "sure foundation" that every sentence shall bring hope to the helpless, peace to the troubled, and healing to the sick. The Readers are but speaking the truth in love, and we should consider it one of our best opportunities to assist them in every way possible, ever giving them that word of commendation which honest effort always merits, but most of all, whether we be only attendants or full-fledged members, showing by our regular presence at the services that their effort is appreciated.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

GLEANINGS FROM CHRISTIAN SCIENCE