Article January 15, 1955 Issue

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE READING ROOM

JEANNE STEELY LAITNER

The deep purpose and great effectiveness of Christian Science Reading Rooms are indicated in a letter written by our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, dated July 8, 1907. In this letter, recommending that the name be Christian Science Reading Room, she concludes with these words (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 236): "Merely this appellative seals the question of unity, and opens wide on the amplitude of liberty and love a far-reaching motive and success, of which we can say, the more the better." Christian Scientists may well ponder the "far-reaching motive and success" envisioned by our Leader for our Reading Rooms.

What is the motive for establishing a Reading Room? The fundamental motive is unquestionably loyal and loving obedience to the God-ordained Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, which provides that each Church of Christ, Scientist, shall have a Reading Room.

The importance of Christian Science Reading Rooms is unmistakably apparent in the By-Law relating to this subject. For Mrs. Eddy says of the Manual By-Laws in her book "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 148): "They were not arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands, such as one person might impose on another. They were impelled by a power not one's own, were written at different dates, and as the occasion required." Thus, the idea of providing Reading Rooms as an essential element of church activity came through divine inspiration. We are participating in a divine process of enlightenment when we establish and support them.

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