Article August 18, 1945 Issue

Ushering

JANE W. MC KEE

One attending a Christian Science church service or lecture for the first time usually becomes acquainted first with the usher, who week after week greets the guest at the door with a friendly smile. The usher shows him to a seat, offers him literature as he leaves the lecture hall, or perhaps directs him to the Reading Room. An usher's welcoming nod of recognition, his warm acknowledgment of greeting, wins for him the name "friend." This dignified sentinel of order and graciousness may be designated as a genial host of the church.

An usher's office is to welcome to the service those who come to pray, to listen, to learn, to serve, and to be healed. He will, however, refuse to welcome the uninvited intruders, sleep, vacillation, and faultfinding, whether they come for admittance to him or to those whom he thinks of as the congregation. The unlovely traits of restlessness, indifference, and thoughtlessness he will banish from his concept of church.

Everything that the Christian Scientist does should be for the glory of God. The office of usher, then, may be looked upon by the Scientist as an opportunity to glorify God, and an usher glorifies God by the thoughts he entertains and the appearance he makes while performing his humble service. His appearance, posture, bearing, and expression should betoken poise, friendliness, and grace.

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