Article November 4, 1933 Issue

"Song, sermon, or Science"

ADELAIDE ROGERS CALKINS

Who has not felt his thought uplifted by some beautiful song or melody? Music is primarily mental, and its harmony, like that of mathematics, is governed by Principle. On page 234 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," our beloved Leader writes, "Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love—be it song, sermon, or Science—blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty."

Of old, David, the sweet singer of Israel, with his harp was able to refresh Saul when an evil spirit was upon the king. Likewise the wonderful appeal of an oratorio or the tender song of a mother to her babe brings inspiration or peace, in so far as it is founded on Love. All that really exists is harmonious and expresses God's nature. There is no discord, no mistake, nothing unfinished in the realm of reality. Not realizing the importance of music, some may relegate it to a place of mere amusement; but our Leader understood its value, and so music is an important part in each Christian Science church service. Thinking of this, one may find the organ voluntary preparing the way for quiet worship; the solo giving out some idea in line with the week's Lesson which will help to uplift thought; the offertory eloquently pointing to the truth that "all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee;" and the postlude emphasizing the completed glory of the service, carrying us on our way rejoicing. That song brings a blessing is especially true in Christian Science, where the hymns are of a healing character. Spiritual encouragement is expressed throughout our Hymnal, leading us away from materiality to the "living waters" of the Christ.

A student of Christian Science who was emerging from frequent attacks of depression found that the singing of hymns always lifted her to a more wholesome state of thought. So she determined to sing all the hymns in the hymn book, a few each morning. It was a voyage of discovery; the favorite hymns were familiar, but guided by omniscient Mind she found that an unfamiliar song would sometimes yield just the needed inspiration for the day. Merely singing the songs would not have banished the gloom and foreboding of ill, but the mental effort to arise and claim her rightful happiness and joy, accompanied by an understanding of the forever truth that these qualities could not be taken away from her or turned into sadness or discouragement, brought healing, and the spells of melancholy vanished.

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