Christian Science Wartime Activities (1914-1918)
To start out, I misread the book we were to
read, and began reporting on the 1939-45
activities. Oops! That's another book. Then I couldn't find a copy of the correct
book, except on the Internet, which Julie advised us
about. Anyway, Julie and I have been to Perth for
our Christian Science Association meeting, and she loaned me her copy for the time we were away.
Now, I had read the book many years ago,
and remember being very impressed with what was written about The Christian
Science Monitor. At that time, I
reckoned that the Monitor could be classified as “Elias which truly must come
first and restore all things” (Matthew
xvii:11). Elias is defined in the
Glossary to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (by Mary Baker Eddy) - see page 585 - and the quote from Matthew is included in that definition. It seemed to me, that when the Monitor
appeared with the Wartime Workers in Europe, the war started to come to a
conclusion.
On this present reading, I have particularly
noted all the references to the Monitor. For instance, on page 18 we learn that six million copies of the Monitor were
distributed in 1918.
In the chapter titled Beginnings, I
found that the Christian Scientists in America could faintly see that what was
going on in Europe was that “the world was vainly trying to solve [the world's problems] through a dependence upon human means and methods.”* In the same chapter, the sentiment is expressed that "...it was impossible to maintain an attitude of neutrality towards the world war for the reason that only those nations which had some
understanding of Principle, as revealed in Christian Science, were adequately
armed and equipped to carry a righteous cause to a victorious conclusion” (p. 21).
In 1914, America was not ready to enter the
fray, but The Mother Church was soon mobilising to collect funds to relieve the
plight of Christian Scientists and others in Europe. (I note here that Adam Dickey was Treasurer of The Mother Church during
this period. Readers may be familiar with his article from the January 1916 copy of The Christian Science Journal, God's Lawof Adjustment. It was subsequently reprinted in pamphlet form and is still available in Christian Science Readings Rooms worldwide. It has had wide
circulation and usefulness.) The funds came in, and relief was sent. This also
included relief for the German students of Christian Science.
On page 24, I note that the delegate sent
to Europe by the Christian Science Board of Directors found that the Monitor
was "always to be found" in the American embassies of Europe. It seems that delegate, Mr McCracken, was sent to oversee the distribution of the collected funds in Europe. It is to be remembered that the Unites
States did not enter the war until 1917.
Recipients of the funds appreciated that
the 'right' thought that accompanied the gift had spiritual power. People's thought was raised to a more
spiritual level and often they were able to repay the gift.
Monitors always accompanied the gifts of
handkerchiefs, washing gloves and pamphlets which went to English
prisoners-of-war in Zurich. In Italy, wool was supplied for knitting
into socks, and the knitter paid one lira a pair. The devastation of towns in France found
civilians destitute after the fighting. Julie has mentioned the Halifax
incident. Monitors were gladly received
in that place, especially as no other papers had got through.
In 1917 military training camps were set up
around the states of America, and Christian Science wartime workers followed them, to bring
comfort and comforts to Christian Scientists in the camps. In terms of the Monitor, it is reported that 800 copies were
distributed daily in Michigan in 1917. It was interesting to read that a camp in
Virginia was named Camp Lee “in hono[u]r of that beloved leader of the
South.” This is a phrase which may find some objections to-day.
I have a note amongst my jottings here that
asks, “How would we as church members react to an extreme emergency in our city today?”
Loggers in Oregon accepted the Monitor with
eagerness and appreciated the “Song Book.” This song book was in the form of a vest pocket-size printing of some of the Christian Science (CS) hymns. We discover, later in the book, that the servicemen had asked for a version of Science and Health which they could carry easily in the vest pocket, just like the song book. This
was duly supplied. Then there was a demand for the Bible in the same size, and it
was also provided.
Rest rooms were set up around the
country. This provided a quiet place for
the men to retire to. Here they could read the Monitor and other CS literature. Of course, it was a case of “all welcome”
in these rooms.
Julie has advised me how I can enlarge the
print of the online edition of the book, but I find it hard to get to the pages
I have commented on in my notes. I have
a note that I would like to photocopy pages 87-90. This gives a commentary on a Welfare Worker's day –
it is amazing!
How the CS periodicals were valued in those
days! A Colonel, at a port of embarkation for
soldiers going to the battle fields of Europe, commented, “Your rooms have
served a purpose that cannot be fulfilled by any other Welfare
organisation...”
The boys, including non-Scientists, found
that the Monitor gave them only reliable news. And, it is reported here that, of all the CS periodicals, the Monitor had the widest circulation. It was a reliable source of war news, and each
copy was a veritable mine of information on all the important topics of the
day.
Now I have a note that I would like a
photocopy of page 138. And we learn,
on page 142, that the hymns in the song book were specially "arranged for male
voices". In fact, “Large numbers of YMCA
workers, Song Directors, and others encouraging the men to sing” were grateful
for the little book (p. 148).
That brings me to the end of my notes,
mostly taken on the plane going to Perth.
Joyce Voysey
* This
comment could well be applied to world problems to-day, for instance, climate change, terrorism,
sensualism, etc.
