Some
thoughts on benedictions:
Benediction
—
"an
expression or utterance of blessing or good wishes" Webster Unabridged.
"the short blessing pronounced by a clergyman with
which public worship is concluded." Webster Unabridged
The benediction
is not an admonition, nor a rehearsal of good, nor a reminder.
It is — plain and simple — a blessing. "And
God Almighty bless thee."
The benediction
is the "sailing away" message. The boat is leaving
the dock. The message of the Lesson and the admonition of both
the Scientific Statement of Being and I John 3: 1-3 have been
properly made. As the ship leaves it is a very short message
that will be remembered. So the benediction should usually be
short like, "Sail safely".
While it
is traditional and quite to the point of God speaking, Christian
Science benedictions do not have to come from the Bible. There
is no such requirement in the Church Manual. Mrs. Eddy
gave her own benedictions. One is found on in Miscellany [My
295: 21]. It is fitting, however, to conclude the service with
God's word.
