Items of Interest December 7, 1940 Issue

Item of Interest

Christian Science Sentinel,

[Reprinted from the Christian Science Sentinel, December 21, 1935]

In the historical files of The Mother Church are a few letters written by or for Mrs. Eddy which indicate her desire that Readers in Christian Science churches should present Christian Science from the platform in a scholarly manner, that the reading should be clear and distinct, intelligent, and scientific in interpretation. In one instance she said regarding the reading of one of her addresses: "Do not have him read my address. He puts so much of himself in his reading it clouds the subject. I can trust you to give me a good reader, one that feels his subject and expresses it so that his hearers can understand." In 1903 she said regarding her letter to The Mother Church: "It is multum in parvo so I take the liberty to say it is at the mercy of the reader. The style of reading it needs to be conversational." A few years later, in a letter to an official of The Mother Church, she wrote, "I ask you to select the best reader you can find to read my short Message; one whose voice is ample, articulation distinct, and whose emphasis, pause, tone, is according to conversation,—to the laws of understanding his subject and making it clear to the hearer."

Asked on several occasions by newly appointed Readers in Christian Science churches whether it is right for them to have help to better their reading, that they may present it more understandingly, The Christian Science Board of Directors has replied, "We see no reason why any Reader should not have help from a teacher of expression, or another competent to aid him to read correctly as to pronunciation, enunciation, and so forth, and to give out in an interesting and understanding way the meaning of the words being read."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Item of Interest

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access