Article July 14, 1934 Issue

The Christian Science Pastor

MYRTLE BEATRICE STRODE-JACKSON

One summer, during the holiday period, a young church member was asked to fill the post of Second Reader while the regular Reader was absent. As she sat in the little room behind the platform waiting for the service hour, and feeling somewhat diffident of her coming task, there suddenly flashed into her thought a passage from Mrs. Eddy's "Miscellaneous Writings" (pp. 382, 383): "In 1895 I ordained that the Bible, and 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,' the Christian Science textbook, be the pastor, on this planet, of all the churches of the Christian Science denomination." Simultaneously with this recollection came relief from all feeling of responsibility. The Bible and Science and Health were the Pastor: the Reader had but to recognize that the Pastor gives the sermon.

Later this same church member was elected to fill the post of First Reader, and during her three years in the desk, years in which the service progressed from being held in a wooden hut to being established in a beautiful little church edifice, the realization of the Bible and Science and Health as the pastor was a constant source of inspiration and strength. A great sense of protection accompanied this knowledge, and her heart flowed out in gratitude to our Leader, who has so lifted the seeming burden of spiritual office from the shoulders of humanity that none who are called to minister to others need be weary or heavy-laden.

A human pastor might be overwhelmed or overworked; but what unjust criticism could possibly overwhelm or injure the Bible and Science and Health? The Bible has withstood the assaults of centuries. It has risen triumphantly against the attacks of infidel and materialist. Its very phraseology had become embedded in the thought of the English-speaking world. Its "knowledge of salvation" has gone out to the uttermost parts of the globe, giving freely to the human race of love and light. Why, therefore, should any Reader be anxious about the presentation of its glorious message? The Bible, an exquisitely beautiful, tenderly loving, eternally living voice, speaks itself. A Reader, therefore, can repeat with an understanding and joyous heart and grateful lips the message to mankind which he has accepted and is glad to share.

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