"Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love—be it song, sermon, or Science—blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty." In these words on page 234 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy points out the blessing to be had from song. Among the many Bible songs of thanksgiving to God is this one from the twenty-eighth Psalm: "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusteth in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."

Under the heading "Soloist and Organist," Mrs. Eddy writes in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. XIX, Sect. 1): "The music in The Mother Church shall not be operatic, but of an appropriate religious character and of a recognized standard of musical excellence; it shall be played in a dignified and suitable manner." Although this standard was set for The Mother Church, it serves as an example to all of its branches.

Since the voluntary, the solo, offertory, postlude, and the hymns constitute important parts of the Sunday service, great consideration should be given to the compositions used and to their actual performance. Music of the masters Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, and of such a recognized contemporary composer as Vaughan Williams is found in the Christian Science Hymnal. Since this high standard has been set for the hymns, the rest of the music for the service should be of a similar quality.

Prayerful work should be done by music committee members to bring inspired music to our services. As this work is done with the aid of references in the Concordances to our Leader's writings on such topics as inspiration, music, and service, spiritual unfoldment will lead to effective and harmonious means for providing through the soloist and organist music which is uplifting and which will be a fitting preliminary to the Lesson-Sermon, given in the Christian Science Quarterly.

In the Message to The Mother Church for 1900, Mrs. Eddy says (p. 11): "Music is more than sound in unison. The deaf Beethoven besieges you with tones intricate, profound, commanding. Mozart rests you. To me his composition is the triumph of art, for he measures himself against deeper grief. I want not only quality, quantity, and variation in tone, but the unction of Love."

Many of the great composers were truly reaching out to a higher source for inspiration. Beethoven always identified himself with his creator when he composed. Music was an act of worship with Bach. He inscribed some of his works with the insignia SDG, "Soli Deo Gloria" (To God alone be praise). Brahms prayed to be able to write something that would uplift and benefit humanity. He said that the same power that inspired his works and those of Bach, Schubert, and Beethoven enabled Jesus to perform his miracles. When we listen to music of the masters, it should be a spiritualizing experience.

The writer had the privilege of playing the piano for a number of Christian Science Societies, and he worked earnestly to plan the music for each service, keeping in thought the subject of the Bible Lesson. In many cases, one word from one of the subjects of the lesson would unfold or suggest a composition which would carry out the theme of the lesson itself and help to bring unity to the service. Such unity not only is felt but inspires the congregation.

With the thought of giving and with a sense of humility in striving to be directed to music which uplifts the thought of the congregation, we as musicians or as chairmen of music committees can contribute to the healing message of our church services. The words of the solo, taken either from the Scriptures, from Mrs. Eddy's poems, or other spiritually enlightened texts, should carry a healing message in themselves. The music, either traditional or modern in idiom, should fully support the text.

Worshipful music performed with reverence and devotion carries a healing message, and it is this we want to bring to our services so that the healing message of Christian Science comes through —even in the music itself. The use of better, more inspired, music can bless the congregation only as it elevates, uplifts, and heals.