Article July 21, 1917 Issue

In the Courts of God's House

WILLIAM W. DAVIS

"Ye that stand in the house of the Lord," the psalmist writes, "in the courts of the house of our God, praise the Lord." We find in Science and Health, as a part of the definition of church, the following: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (p. 583). Some one has said that the church is the highest visible manifestation of good in a community. When therefore we accept the appointment of usher in The Mother Church, we should ask ourselves whether we realize often enough, and as earnestly as we might, the great privilege extended to us of assisting in the manifestation of this good, so that we ourselves, as well as the community, may derive the highest benefit.

To receive the many blessings and benefits which we have so wonderful an opportunity to appropriate, to draw nearer to divine Principle and to come closer together in brotherly love, should be our object in accepting service. We should rejoice and praise God for the privilege of taking part in the church service and for the opportunity extended to us of serving good. There are many blessed ways of manifesting good, but that of serving, of being of service to God, to mankind, to the Principle taught us by our beloved Leader, through activity in our church work, is the very highest form of expressing our appreciation and loyalty, our gratitude, our love and devotion.

Service as an usher in a Christian Science church offers so wonderful an opportunity for doing good that it should lift one high above the drudgery of daily life and thought. It should be so appreciated by those chosen thus to serve that it becomes the fulfilment of a cherished hope and ideal. To serve God by standing at the very door of the church to welcome the stranger and the wanderer who is looking for the peace of God, requires consecration of the highest kind. It means that we must be prepared to offer ourselves as standard bearers of Christian Science throughout every hour; that we must so express Truth and Love that we shall be worthy examples to those who are looking for a better and truer sense of life; that we must keep close watch over our thoughts and our actions, so that we may reflect God, infinite good, always.

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