Enlarged Opportunities

After seeing an advertisement for the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, which included the address of our local Christian Science Reading Room, a worried-looking woman came to the Reading Room. When the librarian first saw her, she was standing before the window, not even reading from the open books placed there. Since she appeared uncertain as to whether she should enter the Reading Room, the librarian began to do prayerful work in Christian Science. Soon the woman entered, saying she just wanted to read awhile.

The librarian saw that she looked at several books in the study room and read a little in each one. Then she approached the librarian at the desk to ask questions about Christian Science.

She said that she had been dissatisfied for some time with the religion in which she had been reared and was looking for something she could really understand and use. The librarian then explained how Christian Scientists study the Lesson-Sermon with the Bible and Science and Health and then apply what they learn. The visitor was satisfied enough to buy a copy of the Christian Science Quarterly, containing the Lessons, and borrow a copy of the textbook.

In two weeks the woman returned with a smile. She said that although her daughter was at home, ill and in bed, she knew her daughter could be healed if she could consult a Christian Science practitioner and request treatment for her. The librarian helped her to find the listing of practitioners available in our town in The Christian Science Journal. Later the woman returned with the daughter, who had been quickly healed, and they purchased a copy of Science and Health.

Since then this woman has bought two additional copies of the textbook, one for each of her other daughters, and all three girls now attend our Sunday School while the mother goes to our Sunday church services. She also attends the Wednesday testimony meetings and is continuing her study of Science.

Many times each month the librarians in our Reading Room are privileged to answer questions about Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science. Newcomers often ask to be shown how to study the Lesson-Sermon. After being shown how to read the Lesson, they are given a copy of the reprint entitled "Divinely Inspired Sermons," which is also given to every new purchaser of the textbook.

We feel that our telephone greatly enlarges our opportunity for service. It enables us to answer many questions regarding the stock we have on hand, the time of church services, Sunday School, and lectures. We also find that a typed schedule of current lectures to be delivered in this area is a help to Reading Room visitors, as well as a help to librarians in answering inquirers who telephone for information.

A young man started coming to this Reading Room because of his appreciation of the music reviews in The Christian Science Monitor. After a few talks with the librarian, he began to read the religious articles in the Monitor, and in a short while attended a Christian Science lecture and a church service.

His wife was much opposed to what she considered Christian Science to be, but the young man brought her to the Reading Room, where she talked at length with the librarian on duty, and it was evident that some of the adverse opinions were dispelled. Both of these young people are now attending church services regularly, and the young man has on occasion spoken of demonstrations of Christ, Truth, which he and his wife have made. He expresses much gratitude for Christian Science and for this Reading Room.

A woman was attracted to Christian Science by the display window in our Reading Room. She told the librarian that she was a victim of the alcohol habit and honestly wanted to be free of it. She said she had become interested in Christian Science years ago, but had left it. She then clarified her statement by saying, "I left it—it never left me, and I know that a renewed study of Science is the only thing that will save me." The librarian assured her that every right desire is rewarded by the Father of all, divine Love.

The woman then borrowed a copy of Science and Health, purchased a copy of the Quarterly, and promised to do her part faithfully. Within two weeks she returned the textbook, because a friend had given her one, and purchased a Concordance to the textbook so that she could further her study. Much gratitude was expressed by the woman for her progress, as well as for the compassion and encouragement shown her on her first visit to the Reading Room.

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