Article March 25, 1950 Issue

USHERING—A BLESSED PRIVILEGE

RALPH C. LEE

In 1908 a letter was written to Mary Baker Eddy by the ushers of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. As quoted in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" by Mrs. Eddy (p. 352), its message reads: "Informally assembled, we, the ushers of your church, desire to express our recognition of the blessings that have come to us through the peculiar privileges we enjoy in this church work. We are prompted to acknowledge our debt of gratitude to you for your life of spirituality, with its years of tender ministry, yet we know that the real gratitude is what is proved in better lives. It is our earnest prayer that we may so reflect in our thoughts and acts the teachings of Christian Science that our daily living may be a fitting testimony of the efficacy of our Cause in the regeneration of mankind."

In retrospect, students of Christian Science happily recall their already traveled pathway. They gratefully acknowledge their progress and reverently contemplate their growth Godward. They joyously remember the overcoming of limitations, liberation from fear, restoration of health, or redemption from sinful habits. That first demonstration of Christian Science, with its unforgettable proof that God heals, never ceases to inspire and bless. With David the new student sings (Ps. 34:1,3): "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. ... O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together."

And when he has experienced the inward quietude, serenity, and peace of a Christian Science church service, the student echoes (Ps. 84:1, 2, 10): "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. ... For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand." This gladness heralds the fuller joy which awaits him on that particular occasion when he unites with the Christian Science movement. That occasion sacredly lives in memory. It is the starting point of his church activity, for a priceless opportunity for spiritual growth and joyous work for the Cause of Christian Science. Frequently the new member is assigned to the ushering staff.

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