Article March 22, 1919 Issue

"Let us unite"

ANSON CHARLES BUSHNELL

In the branch church of Christian Science which the writer attends it is customary for the First Reader to announce the silent prayer with the following words: "Let us unite in silent prayer, to be followed by the audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer, with its spiritual interpretation from the Christian Science textbook."

"Let us unite"! How these words seemed to stand out. How were we to unite and what were we to unite with? As this question was pondered, there came the answer from page 340 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," as clearly as if it had been spoken, "One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself.'" Surely this declaration of the unity of God and man, and of the brotherhood of man answered the question. First, we were to unite with God, in that conscious at-one-ment with Him so clearly and helpfully explained in the chapter entitled "Atonement and Eucharist," in Science and Health. Secondly, in the realization of God thus gained and of man in His image and likeness, it was seen that the brotherhood and unity of man is already established, is now an accomplished fact, and that through this realization during the silent prayer the harmony and immortality of man are being made manifest.

Another part of the so-called set form which we may come to regard as a matter of course is the solo. This is especially provided for in the order of services given in the Manual. The place of the solo in the service, coming as it does immediately preceding the reading of the Lesson-Sermon, shows clearly that it should be regarded as a unit in the healing work of the church. Calmly and quietly, or joyously and with strength, it should prepare thought for a better understanding of the Lesson-Sermon to follow. Great care and much thought is usually given to the selection of the solo, so that it may be in harmony with the Lesson-Sermon of the day. That it actually accomplishes its healing work has many times been evident to the writer, who would particularly like to tell of one recent instance for which he is deeply grateful. A sense of discouragement had been claiming attention for several days; in fact, repeated declarations of the truth as taught in Christian Science had seemingly availed nothing. Sunday morning arrived, and the solo brought the healing. The refrain that met the need was, "Let us in silence remember our blessings, giving the glory ever to God." Silently and gratefully the wonderful blessings that had come to him and his in Christian Science were brought to mind, and with remembrance of them all sense of discouragement vanished into its native nothingness.

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