Our Reading Rooms

MURIEL ASHCROFT BILLINGS

It is always a joyous experience to visit a Christian Science Reading Room, wherein we may find spiritual refreshment. As a lighthouse serves as a guide to seamen at night, so the Reading Rooms aid those travelers who are searching for a haven from the sea of material sense. On page 566 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy speaks of the Red Sea, through which the children of Israel were divinely guided, as "the dark ebbing and flowing tides of human fear." The problem of one searching for relief from the bondage of material sense may sometimes seem like the battle with the elements experienced by the mariner seeking port in time of storm. The waves may threaten, and darkness fall, but the lighthouse still casts its friendly beam.

Many seekers after Truth are led into Christian Science through visiting a Christian Science Reading Room. Many may come to the Reading Rooms when for various reasons they might not at first attend the church services. Recently the librarian of a Reading Room rejoiced with a visitor who expressed his gratitude for the privilege of spending some time in the Reading Room while working out a problem. He had received healing not only of unemployment, but also of the smoking habit and the need for wearing glasses. His uplifted thought and deep appreciation of our Leader's struggles in establishing the Christian Science movement, and of her love for mankind which strengthened her in times of persecution, enabled him to rise above a sense of resentment which had kept him in bondage to material belief.

No one can know how far-reaching will be the result of a healing such as this. Just as no one knows how many vessels are aided through the illumination of each and all of the many lighthouses in the world, so it is impossible to estimate the good resulting from the service provided through the Reading Rooms throughout the Field. Every loving thought, every kindly action, which is awakened through the service of the Reading Rooms, reflects divine Love, and is indicative of "the light of the world," the light which Jesus declared his followers to be when he said, "Ye are the light of the world." It is the great joy as well as the great privilege of all Christian Science churches to keep this light shining through in the Reading Room, thus helping many who are seeking Truth to be guided into the harbor of spiritual understanding.

In the Bible we read, "Many waters cannot quench love." Through our daily affirmation of Love's ever-presence and all-power we are helping to comfort and heal many who are seeking relief from some form of error. Thus the light will shine on those who believe they are passing through troubled waters, and they will be brought safely and joyously into the heaven of spiritual peace. This constructive work is much needed; and such profitable activity is felt and bears fruit in helping to heal prevalent beliefs of depression, loss, and lack.

While the librarians must devote themselves to the study of the truth, and keep their own thought open to Love, it is no less the duty and the joyous opportunity of every church member to join in this active mental support of the Reading Rooms. The librarians can and do tend the lamps, and fill them with oil, in their joyful rendering of such service as may be needed; but as the stores of material supplies must be furnished regularly to the lighthouse keepers, so the members of the Christian Science churches by their loving thought must help replenish the stores of oil, knowing that Love with its overflowing streams can "fill them every one." Our Leader defines "oil" as "consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration" (Science and Health, p. 592). Through prayerful study of this definition each member will find reasons for his gratitude to Christian Science, and through his own individual demonstration of Science, share in loving recognition and support of the Reading Rooms. Thus all may help to carry out our Leader's purpose in establishing them for the benefit of all mankind.

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