Article January 13, 1940 Issue

Usher Hospitality

A. LINCOLN ROTHBLUM

A DICTIONARY defines the word "hospitable" as "receiving and entertaining strangers or guests generously and kindly." In Bible times the hospitable reception of a traveler was recognized as sacred obligation. It was required of a host to furnish food and protection for the guest, even though a stranger. Hospitality was viewed as one of the first and most exacting of human requirements, and its exercise was zealously observed. In the New Testament, hospitality was considered a Christian virtue. For example, in I Peter the advice is advanced to "use hospitality one to another without grudging." Benevolent care of a stranger, as illustrated in the account of the good Samaritan, exemplifies Christly hospitality.

The usher in a Christian Science church occupies a special position in the opportunity to convey a spiritual sense of scientific hospitality. The welcome to strangers and members in the congregation may not necessarily be identified by audible word or physical gesture. When hospitality, posited in love for God and His Christ, prevails in the consciousness of the usher, it anoints the burdened, the sorrowing, and the sick with the unction of divine healing.

In Christian Science, God is understood to be divine Principle. The spiritual, real man is His image and likeness. Some of the attributes of Principle are wisdom, intelligence, intuition, joy, and purity. Man, through spiritual reflection, possesses these attributes. In the desire and effort to express true hospitality, Christian Science ushers, who may be counted among those aptly described in I Chronicles as "very able men for the work of the service of the house of God," become increasingly qualified to demonstrate these eternal qualities of Principle. As the desire to extend loving hospitality is realized in individual consciousness, it will be found that the grace and beauty of spiritual ideas will shine through true humanhood as light filters through glass after thorough cleansing.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
A Proved Recipe
January 13, 1940
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit