Developing Membership Support

[Note: These are extracts from letters and reports prepared for the Reading Room Division by branch church librarians.]

The church membership as a whole has during the past year shown a steadily increasing active support of the Reading Room by using it more frequently. This is more encouraging to the librarians than the individual member may know. It increases our feeling of security and solidarity, and we are grateful for membership support.

Our activity has shown a small but steady increase, in addition to the attendance of members, throughout the year. The number of visitors using the study room on holidays has been sufficient to prove the opening of the Reading Room on holidays well worth while.

Letters have been received from those who have been benefited through study in this Reading Room, indicating appreciation for the purpose and essential functions of the Reading Room, as well as for individual experiences. Telephone calls and return visits have been made by those wishing to tell of special reasons for gratitude for Reading Room study.

The prayerful thought given by church members to Reading Room activity contributes much to the response of their community to their Reading Room. Not every member can use the Reading Room every day, but his metaphysical support of its activities contributes to the fulfilling of its purpose. On a day in which there had been little Reading Room activity one of our members came in. As she went into the study room she said to the librarian, "I have only a few minutes, but I'm going to spend them in the Reading Room." There was a sense of joyous gratitude for the good to be obtained there regardless of the short time allowed. The Reading Room attendants realized later that the sense of inactivity had been entirely banished by that of joyous gratitude and recognition.

With the permission of our executive board a special membership meeting was called in the interests of the Reading Room activity. Prior to that the Reading Room staff had been holding monthly inspirational meetings. At one of these the thought was expressed that the entire membership would be interested in and benefited by hearing the report on the annual Librarians' Workshop Meeting.

At the meeting the staff members read aloud the letters and talks which comprised this report. The hymns and references which had been used at the Boston meeting were also a part of our program. Our own appreciation for the inspiring material with which we had been working added much to the joy of the occasion. The fact that our church is now working toward the building of a new edifice contributed to the excellent attendance at the meeting and the very genuine response to and gratitude for the papers which were read. The chairman of the building committee was especially grateful for points which were quite as helpful in the work toward building as in that of the Reading Room, which so measurably contributes to the building and dedicating of any Church of Christ, Scientist.

As an evening librarian in a large downtown, ground-floor Reading Room, I am especially grateful for the supporting work of church members who use the study room during the evening hours. Their comments often indicate not only that they are supporting this activity through their attendance and study, but that they are diligently giving it their metaphysical support. Inquirers who visit the Reading Room at that time are usually employed during the day. Sometimes they are men who have read at the window during the day but have hesitated about coming in until, passing again in the evening, they have seen a man on duty. These men often ask very specific, very direct questions.

The expectancy with which the opportunity to present Christian Science accurately, simply, and convincingly is greeted is always present. It helps, however, to have a study room occupied by witnesses to the spiritual facts which are being stated. It gives a sense of support to the work at the counter which is undeniable.

At our July membership meeting the thought was expressed that students of Christian Science who have the Bible, all the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, reference books, and the periodicals sometimes express reluctance toward making regular visits to Christian Science Reading Rooms for study and refreshment. The members were reminded that this far-reaching missionary activity does need the loving support of each member. It was recommended that each member make at least one visit a month to his own Reading Room with an expectancy of resulting fruitage.

Since the July meeting the staff members have had the opportunity of greeting church members who had never been in the Reading Room during the librarians' term of service. There has been a general increase both in attendance and in sales.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

I did not take up the study of...

December 1, 1951

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit