Our Attitude before Services

ELIZABETH YATES MC GREAL

The book of Ecclesiastes is rich in counsel for the ordering of our daily lives. The first seven verses of the fifth chapter may be applied to our attitude in attendance at church. In these verses, the respect and reverence that should characterize the actions and motives of those who approach the house of God are indicated: "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give. ... Let thy words be few. ... For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God." The reverent attitude is that of quiet and earnest thought. Irreverence, a state deplored by the writer of Ecclesiastes, points to a lack of such thought.

When attending the Sunday services, Wednesday evening testimony meetings, or lectures, in The Mother Church or one of its branches, we may well follow the above advice and keep watch over our thoughts. No sense of crowding human activities or cares should be allowed to enter the church with us to rob us, and perhaps others, of rightful attention and its fruitage. Creation belongs to God, and divine Principle is to be relied upon for the harmony of our homes, children, friends, business. Confidence in God enables us to empty our thought of all that is unlike God. Then, freed through reverence, we draw near to hear the spoken word of Truth. Those who approach church prepared to listen attentively are active partakers in the service, benefiting and being benefited by it.

We go to church primarily to hear the Word of God. We do not go to see our friends, for conversation, or to make social or business engagements. The exchange of fellowship is sweet and helpful, but it should be kept in its right place and not be made the governing impulse in our church attendance. We go to hear, and thoughtful attention should enable us to hear well. We go to give, and gratitude will furnish us with spiritual gifts. Daydreaming and idle words, classed by the Preacher as "divers vanities," have no place in church. Shunning such squandering of his mental powers, the alert worker finds his thinking active and effectual, because such would-be mental intrusions have been definitely handled. Reasoning on the basis that God is the only Mind and that man, God's idea, reflects Mind, we know that man is forever actively receiving from God constructive thoughts. Therefore, at all times, including before a church service or lecture, we should let our thoughts be directed aright through orderly prayer, declarations of the truth, thanksgiving.

In earnest expectation of hearing the Word that heals and frees; in reverent recognition of the ever-presence of Truth, Life, and Love; in respectful consideration for our neighbor who may be quietly seeking a clearer realization of the divine ever-presence, we take our places in church. Only as we silence the tumult of the human mind can the "still small voice" be heard speaking into the ear of our consciousness. In such silence we feel enthusiasm, the inspiration of Soul. The word "enthusiasm" is taken directly from the Greek, and means, in part, "to be inspired." A dictionary gives its meaning as "divine possession or inspiration." It follows that as sacred silence is observed before the services, the effect of true enthusiasm will be felt throughout the services.

Many people purposely arrive at church some time before the commencement of a service or a lecture. Among the early arrivals are some who sit quietly reading from our Leader's writings or from the periodicals. Others may be praying in accordance with the Manual provision dealing with prayers in the churches. On the other hand, there are those who are eager for sociability and who exchange whispered comments. Such conversation, begun circumspectly and under the cloak of harmless intercourse, is liable to lapse into the vain babblings against which Timothy was cautioned, unless a watch be set. True watching includes consideration for others.

Pleasant it is to bring a new-found friend to church, but the church will speak for itself. Pleasant it is to greet old friends and slip into the seat alongside of them, but felicitous words can well be kept until after the service. In the Manual of The Mother Church Mrs. Eddy has written (Art. VIII, Sect. 1), "In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness." Has unnecessary, even if subdued whispering any legitimate place while one's neighbors are sitting in silent, prayerful thought, or when the strains of music from organ or piano resound throughout the church? In a silent spiritual fellowship we are sure of compliance with the law of Love. On page 339 of "Miscellaneous Writings" our Leader says succinctly, "If people would confine their talk to subjects that are profitable, that which St. John informs us took place once in heaven, would happen very frequently on earth,—silence for the space of half an hour."

We can all be at one with true consecration, preparing our thought for the influence of Truth so that—like the seed on the good ground—the Word of God may find us receptive. In consideration and quiet reverence the touch of Love is evident. No mental intrusion can take from us those precious moments of quiet before a service. "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."

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