Reading Rooms

EDITH L. PERKINS

Among the many blessings for which we are indebted to our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, are the reading rooms maintained by the Christian Science churches and societies. At each church service a cordial invitation is given to the public to visit and make use of the reading rooms, where are provided all the published writings of our Leader, as well as the authorized literature of Christian Science issued by The Christian Science Publishing Society, all of which may be purchased, if desired, as well as read. Many of the reading rooms also maintain a loan library, from which this same literature may be borrowed for a period of two weeks, and may be renewed for the same length of time.

At the Christian Science reading rooms many are daily drinking of the life-giving waters through the study of the Bible together with its spiritual interpretation as given by Mrs. Eddy in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." A visit to a Christian Science reading room cannot fail to reveal the importance of this branch of the Christian Science movement and give one a realization of its far-reaching effects. Here may be seen those in widely varied walks of life, yet all feeling the same need and drawn by the same desire. In the perfect quiet for which the rules of the reading rooms provide, thought is refreshed and strengthened by communion with the one God, Spirit, and the realization of man's oneness with Him.

At the Wednesday evening testimony meetings the writer has often expressed gratitude to our Leader for providing these resting places and for the many blessings received from them, and now increased gratitude impels a further acknowledgment through the columns of the Sentinel. The first time that a great sense of gratitude for this branch of the church work came, was when in company with a friend, both of us strangers in a strange city, a visit was made to its reading room upon arrival, and a most loving welcome was received from the one in attendance. Information concerning a place to board was gladly given, and by means of this a place was found where the privileges of a home were enjoyed and a happy friendship was formed.

Again, the reading room has been as an oasis in the desert, a fountain of living water in the desert of discouragement and fear. It may be truly said that a visit to this fountain has never been in vain. Invariably the "cup of cold water" has been given and the needed help received, perhaps from a verse of the Bible illumined by the light of spiritual understanding, a declaration of truth by our Leader as given in her various writings, the reading of a timely article in the Sentinel or Journal, or the metaphysical article in The Christian Science Monitor. At other times the help may come through the reading of the Lesson-Sermon,—that daily food of the student of Christian Science so essential to spiritual growth,—or from a word of encouragement spoken perhaps unconsciously by the one in charge of the room.

At times the reading room has been a veritable refuge from undesirable material conditions,—a room which has seemed too cold for comfort, or in summer one which it has seemed impossible to stay in. Again, it has afforded a refuge from mental atmospheres seemingly difficult to breathe in, and at this refuge the opportunity has been gratefully utilized to realize that the only atmosphere is that of divine Love. With this realization strength and courage have been given to return and reflect the good received, thereby seeing more clearly what Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 150), where after quoting Paul's question, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" she adds: "If He be with us, the wayside is a sanctuary, and the desert a resting-place peopled with living witnesses of the fact that 'God is Love.'"

And so we who have found shelter in this sanctuary rejoice that what the Christian Science reading room is doing for one it is doing and will do for all who are ready to partake of its blessings, giving freely the water that heals, strengthens, and sustains,—even the water of life.

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That Which Is Within

November 3, 1917

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