Article March 6, 1915 Issue

Church Ushers

ARCHIE E. VAN OSTRAND

The duties of the church usher are to dispense hospitality, to maintain the order and dignity of the service, and to insure protection for all. His true mental attitude is well expressed in the call of Isaiah, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters," and at all times the golden rule is his basis of action.

There are three classes to be served by the usher. First, the stranger, who is likely to be deeply influenced for or against Christian Science by the way he is met and cared for on entering a church. This may determine for him the question not only of satisfaction and comfort, but of open-mindedness during the entire service. He is an invited guest and should be treated with corresponding courtesy, being consulted whenever possible as to his choice of seat. The second class is made up of the regular members or attendants who have a distinct preference as to the location of their seats. The effective usher will soon become familiar with their wishes and always gratify them when it is possible. The third class includes those Christian Scientists who are willing to be seated wherever seats are available, or quite as willing to stand if there are strangers or visitors who cannot be accommodated otherwise.

In caring for all these classes, the one effort of the usher should be to avoid precipitating any inharmony or irritation of thought which would mar the receptivity of the individual to the Lesson-Sermon. Any show of objection (unless a necessary rule is likely to be dishonored) or indifference to an expressed preference as to the location of seat is entirely out of keeping, and is likely to lessen seriously the benefit that otherwise might be gained. An usher has the opportunity to express his gratitude for the benefits he has received through Christian Science in loving service, and it is well for him always to remember Jesus' words, "Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."

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