Article July 21, 1934 Issue

The Challenge of the Christian Science Hymnal

JESSIE DODD

A great revolution in the manner of public worship was wrought when Mary Baker Eddy ordained the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as the only preachers in the Christian Science church. These Christian Science preachers, however, demand prayerful study and thought throughout the week from every member of the congregation. Every Christian Scientist knows that his progress Spiritward is measured largely by his daily study and application of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly. Our preachers, the Bible and Science and Health, give us the highest possible sermons.

Mrs. Eddy likewise provided that the Christian Science church should have an organist and a soloist, the congregation to join in the singing of hymns. In the Preface to the 1910 edition of the Christian Science Hymnal, which was in use in our churches until 1932, the publishers stated that they did not claim that all the hymns therein were "strictly scientific, as the selection had to be made very largely from the writings of authors who were unacquainted with the teachings of Christian Science." Suffice it to say that the Christian Science church now has a revised Hymnal highly worthy of commendation.

With such inspiring songs available, Christian Scientists will surely hasten to eliminate one reason for the comparatively slow progress of congregational singing in our churches, namely, the fact that many of us have devoted very little thought and study to this phase of our activities.

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