Article December 11, 1943 Issue

The Readership

JEANNE ROE PRICE

There are no personal pastors in the Christian Science church. The Bible and the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," are its pastor, ordained as such by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and the author of its textbook. The Sunday Lesson-Sermons consist of Scriptural texts with their correlative passages from Science and Health, read by First and Second Readers. There is no ritual about these Lesson-Sermons, no display in the reading of them. To read understandingly should be the humble, earnest prayer of every Reader in every Christian Science church throughout the world. In speaking of Readers (Church Manual, Art. III, Sect. 6), Mrs. Eddy says. "They shall read understandingly and be well educated."

To be a Reader, to read God's Word—the Bible and Science and Health—to the congregation, is a great and sacred privilege. But much more than the actual reading of the Word is demanded. A humble desire is necessary on the Reader's part to know and to do God's will. This signifies daily consecration and prayer; it means to "hunger and thirst after righteousness," daily to seek the kingdom of God and dwell therein. It is to be alert and watchful, to express love and gratitude and joy.

In the Scriptures we read of Isaiah's vision of God's glory, presence, and power. Humbled and awed by the radiance of this vision, the prophet cried out. "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." Whereupon an angel touched his lips with a live coal which he had taken from the altar, thus purifying him and dedicating him to God's service. And when God's voice was heard asking whom He would send to do His work, Isaiah, his lips unsealed, joyfully and confidently responded, "Here am I; send me." Just such a reverent spirit of service is what Readers in Christian Science churches are seeking daily to demonstrate, and these are the words constantly in their hearts and on their lips: "Here am I; send me."

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