Serving as a hostess is a joyous activity, whether it is in one's home, at a social function, or in a Christian Science church. "Host" is defined in Webster as "one who receives or entertains another." Christ Jesus said (John 13:20), "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."

We should open our thought to receiving Christ, Truth, by turning to God, infinite Mind, for inspiration. We must realize man's divine heritage as the child of the loving Father-Mother, who is ever-present Soul, all-powerful Principle, and omniactive Life, Truth, and Love. We must turn from false material sense, opening thought to spiritual illumination, and dedicating ourselves to the things of Spirit. This includes the study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook by Mrs. Eddy, as well as the other authorized Christian Science literature.

We must pray with spiritual understanding. This is preparation of the heart, or purification of thought, motives, and affections. And a heart filled with love for God and man is ready to receive the healing Christ.

This spiritual preparation of thought is most important in fulfilling the duties of a hostess in a Church of Christ, Scientist. As one gains spiritual illumination, it is natural to share it, for wisely sharing the best one has is Christlike hospitality. One shares these qualities of Spirit by expressing, or living, them.

Our Leader writes of this in Science and Health (p. 25), "The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus." The inspired hostess expresses joy, friendliness, alertness, and graciousness. These qualities shine through her thought as she extends a sincere, cordial, and loving welcome to strangers and visitors at church services.

Devotion and consecration are manifested in willingness to serve and in being faithful in attendance at church services and committee meetings. As the hostess constantly looks to ever-present divine Mind, she expects the perfection of Principle to be manifested in every detail of activity. Harmony, order, and beauty of thought will be expressed in the appropriate apparel. This will be neither too dressy nor too casual, but in accord with the dignity, grace, and high standard of perfection demanded by Christian Science.

Humbly she recognizes that it is the impelling Christ that divinely attracts to our church services all those receptive of the Word of God. As she keeps the light of spiritual inspiration aglow with Christlike compassion, healing and blessing overflow to the community and mankind. How joyously Paul speaks of this Christly presence (I Thess. 2:19):"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"

Among the many joys of hostessing is that of spiritual growth of the individual. And Christian Scientists who consecratedly serve in church work find that an overflow of good pervades their homes, their businesses, and their social activities.

One who served on the hostess committee of a branch church accepted this as an opportunity to express the qualities of Spirit and Christlike compassion, as well as to grow Spiritward. Healings and blessings appeared during her time of service, including the transformation of her daily experience into one of more gracious living. There were times, however, when suggestions of apathy, pain, or counterattractions tried to keep her from serving; but each time she refused to listen to error's efforts to use her to resist the spiritual feast prepared for the church service.

On one occasion she was disappointed, and error tried to mesmerize her thought, as well as cause her pain physically. She refused to accept sense testimony and served at her hostess station. She resolved to behold and maintain only the true concept of man as God made him, spiritual and immortal. She dwelt on the definition of man as given in the textbook (p. 591), "The compound idea of infinite Spirit; the spiritual image and likeness of God; the full representation of Mind."

While watching the members of the congregation enter the church that evening, she endeavored to behold them not as material persons but as spiritual ideas of divine Mind, reflecting God, as representatives of infinite Spirit, forever present at the spiritual feast of Truth. As she became absorbed in this spiritual activity of helping to serve the feast with gratitude and Christlike compassion, she found herself completely free from the mesmerism of disappointed personal sense and physical pain.

Our Leader was ever the alert and joyous hostess. Let us consider some of the qualities of thought she expressed, and expected others in her home to express, which brought joy. One of her students wrote in the book, "We Knew Mary Baker Eddy," Third Series (p. 40), "I knew that the qualities of thought required by our Leader in her helpers included love, orderliness, promptness, alertness, accuracy, truthfulness, fidelity, consecration, and humility."

By following Mrs. Eddy's example and obeying her instructions, we shall experience more gracious and harmonious activity in church and at home, and we shall help to leaven the thought and actions of mankind with the healing qualities of Spirit, Truth, and Love.