Article September 30, 1916 Issue

Our Reading-rooms

NELLE B. BEARDSLEE

TODAY , in every busy city, clubs and stores have recognized the need of places for rest and quiet, and have supplied that need according to their sense, making generous provision for the physical comfort of their fellow men. Mrs. Eddy long ago saw the need of humanity for places of spiritual refreshment, and guided by her truer understanding of that which gives rest and sustenance, instituted what are now known throughout the world as Christian Science reading-rooms.

He who rightly comes to these rooms comes to find God. He comes seeking good, and God is good. God is the only host in every true reading-room, the only real presence, the only Mind. He it is who meets the needs which there present themselves,—it may be through the unseen "angel of his presence" ever hovering near, in quiet communion, or through Truth's ideas found in the inspired books and in the periodicals, or it may be through the channel known as the librarian. No one comes asking for bread and is given a stone, if the divine presence be truly honored.

Spiritually, hence rightly known, a Christian Science reading-room is an idea in divine Mind, and reflects the perfect activity of this Mind. This activity is unlimited, infinite in its resources and in its channels for giving and receiving, harmonious, intelligent, and loving in every expression. Moreover, since it is in truth spiritual, and is in and of Spirit, it is wholly protected by Principle, spiritual law, and cannot be hampered or contaminated by material so-called laws or human will. For God's steward, the librarian, to know this truth about reading-rooms, is to free his thought from fear, lest the claims constantly being presented by a material sense of things should seem to have dominion. Thereby must the outward manifestation be blessed.

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