Article June 7, 1913 Issue

WEDNESDAY EVENING MEETINGS

WILLIAM D. MC CRACKAN, M.A.

Many helpful points of view concerning the testimony or Wednesday evening meetings have been given Christian Scientists from time to time in our periodicals, and the writer feels greatly indebted to the editors and contributors who have thus offered the field the benefit of their experience in this most important branch of the work; but he would like to call attention to one aspect of this occasion which has impressed itself upon him with special force.

Turning to the Manual of The Mother Church, we find that the Wednesday evening meeting is specifically denoted a meeting, whereas the Sunday gatherings are denoted services. We may therefore justly conclude that in making this distinction, Mrs. Eddy had some special purpose in view. Although the writer will not venture to interpret the Manual, nevertheless he feels justified in pointing out that a meeting is not so formal or set in its character as a service. A service is necessarily prearranged and carried through exclusively by persons appointed for the purpose; in the case of a Christian Science service, by two persons denominated the readers. A meeting, on the other hand, while it generally follows a regular order of procedure, also makes provision for that which is not intended to be prearranged, but is left to the inspiration of the moment. In other words, a meeting always opens the way for the element of spontaneity. In Christian Science the Wednesday evening meeting makes room for this element during the time set apart for testimonies.

The advantage of recognizing the informal and spontaneous character of the Wednesday evening meeting is manifold. It relieves the reader who has the immediate charge of any false sense of responsibility. Others are going to take part, are going to bring their share of encouragement and inspiration, are going to give the proofs they have experienced of the truth of Christian Science, and so will cooperate with him in carrying forward the meeting to a successful issue. Again, the members of the congregation, recognizing that they are attending a gathering which is less formal and more spontaneous in its character than that of the Sabbath service, feel more at ease, more ready to take their share in the proceedings, and to express that spontaneity which is the vital spark of spiritual joy, which blesses and heals.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"AS ONE WHOM HIS MOTHER COMFORTETH."