Article March 30, 1918 Issue

The Church Soloist

MILDRED SPRING CASE

Many rare experiences come to those who have the privilege of being soloists in Christian Science churches,—experiences which prove Mrs. Eddy's wisdom in making the solo an important part of the church service. One such experience recently occurred to the writer and unfolded much that filled her heart with gratitude.

All during the week a severe cough had manifested itself, making each attempt at practicing for the Sunday solo a painful physical effort. The subject of the Lesson-Sermon for the following Sunday was "Christ Jesus," and the solo to be sung was a rendering of Mrs. Eddy's beautiful hymn "Christmas Morn" (Poems, p. 29). In studying the words of the solo, in order that the spiritual meaning might appear to her consciousness, a broader, freer conception seemed to dawn upon the soloist's thought.

Early Sunday morning she practiced the solo again, but so distressing was the physical condition and so painful the effort that she stopped and went by herself for a quiet hour's study before going to church. Once again she studied the week's lesson to learn more of the healing Christ which she was to reflect. She realized that the true voice must be spiritual, and that the phrase so often used by singers, "in good voice," has a deeper meaning than is usually realized,—for do we not always dwell in that Mind which is ever good? She knew that the true voice must ever be harmonious, self-expressed, and free from all hindrances. So clear became her understanding of the Christ-idea that all sense of her voice as being a physical thing or dependent upon matter seemed preposterous. One by one each counterfeit belief of vocalists about misplacement, lack of breath control, bad enunciation, forcing the tone, etc., were discarded, and spiritual ideas were put in their place. Could there be any "misplacement" of that which is governed by divine Mind? If God, Spirit, is all-powerful, could we not find in Him perfect "control"? Must not the voice of Truth ever be distinct in its expression to the listening ear? Discord being the result of fear could not dwell in that "perfect love" which the apostle says "casteth out fear." The thunderbolts and whirlwinds of materiality may express force, but could the still, small voice of Love ever express itself by force? Must it not rather lovingly persuade?

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