Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Our ground-floor Christian Science Reading Room, which is jointly maintained by First and Second Churches of Christ, Scientist, this city, is located at a busy downtown intersection. Two large display windows, one facing a thoroughfare for automobiles and pedestrians, the other overlooking a beautiful civic park and buildings, give us wonderful opportunities for displaying the writings of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, and other Christian Science literature.

The afternoon librarian, whose privilege it is to arrange the exhibits in these windows, finds this activity an inspiring experience. Each display is the result of specific prayerful metaphysical work. The wish to give the window reader a sense of peace and a desire to know more about Christian Science, thus inviting him into the Reading Room to inquire about our movement or to purchase our literature, is always kept uppermost in thought.

A theme or subject for each display is chosen from current events and other timely topics. In developing the theme some of the books are displayed open, with sentences or paragraphs marked. Others are shown closed so that the titles and the emblem of the cross and the crown may be seen. The theme is also developed by the use of records, pictures, pamphlets, leaflets, and copies of our periodicals.

At the beginning of the school year many young people are venturing on their own for the first time, and questions of making right decisions with regard to their activities and chosen professions are paramount in their thoughts. The librarian pondered the question, "What has Christian Science to offer the school boy or girl?"

Two pamphlets and several articles in The Christian Science Monitor came to thought. The pamphlets entitled "Christian Science on the College Campus" and "Youth Chooses," together with a current issue of the Christian Science Sentinel opened to a pertinent article, were featured in one window.

One mother remarked, "These are just what I have been wishing I could find to give to my son when he leaves for school."

The subject "Spring," which was used as the theme in planning one display, was enjoyed by many passers-by on the first day of spring. Passages from the article "Voices of Spring" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 329) were marked, as was the poem "Spring Greetings" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 341). A man who returned to the city some weeks after he had seen this display came into the Reading Room to say that he would always remember the beautiful thoughts he had gained from reading and contemplating these statements by Mrs. Eddy about spring.

Another display of special interest was built around our lectures and lecturers. It was placed in the window a week before a lecture was to be given in the city. A lecture card was included in this display. A copy of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy was shown opened to page 93. A copy of "Mary Baker Eddy: A Life Size Portrait" by Lyman P. Powell was opened to page 46. The paragraph in which he tells of the selection, characteristics, and work of our lecturers was marked. In addition, a paragraph from Mrs. Eddy's Communion Address for June 4, 1899 (Miscellany, p. 125) was marked. Here she states: "I have only to dip my pen in my heart to say, All honor to the members of our Board of Lectureship connected with The Mother Church. Loyal to the divine Principle they so ably vindicate, they earn their laurels. History will record their words, and their works will follow them. When reading their lectures, I have felt the touch of the spirit of the Mars' Hill orator, which always thrills the soul."

The day after the lecture the librarian removed the marked books from the window. They were still open on the counter when the lecturer came into the Reading Room. He was asked if he would care to read from them, since the passages had been marked in preparation for the lecture and had been in the window. After reading them he remarked: "How wonderful! I have never seen or heard of this being done before."

What our Leader says about contagion, physical laws, vaccination, and intoxicating drinks prompts the writing of many wonderful articles appearing in The Christian Science Monitor and our other periodicals. From time to time these are carefully marked and placed in our windows.

The sale of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy increases every month. This book, of course, is featured regularly with the Bible and the Christian Science Quarterly in the display which introduces the Bible Lessons to window readers.

Our church directory is always on display in a corner of one of the windows.

Our windows continually sparkle with gems beyond price.