Demand for The Christian Science Monitor

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.

Motivated by helpfulness

The term "Welfare Worker" appears regularly in our book this month. The term does not really describe the actual work carried out, so it is helpful to hear how one of these workers described his position: "A Welfare Worker is a man who hunts for soldiers for whom he can do favors" (p. 87). The book explains that "helpfulness" was the name of the game, and this might include something as simple but greatly appreciated as offering rides to others while en-route to deliver copies of The Christian Science Monitor.

Readers will be interested to read about the experience of "a student officer" who was in acute difficulty following inoculation during the First World War (p. 83-85, Christian Science Wartime Activities 1914-18). He was in an insane asylum and all was in readiness for his imminent passing.

At this point, a Christian Science Welfare Worker was called. He shared some "simple truths [the student officer] could easily understand", including some Christian Science-based metaphysical inspiration from a well-loved poem, The Ancient Mariner. 

When some difficulty arose within the hospital where the officer was located, the worker was led to "higher demonstration" (p. 84). As part of his prayers, the book tells us, he "came to the conclusion that 'hospital' might represent that which aids men to be well and whole, and 'doctor' that consciousness which knows and ministers to every man as a brother" (p. 85). Soon, the previously difficult attitude of some hospital staff changed for the better, and patients in this ward were being moved "to the convalescent wards or returned...to their organizations" (ibid) and the student officer recovered.


J. Swannell

A quick response for Halifax

Figure 1: Map showing Halifax in Nova Scotia. Reproduced from World Maps. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=map+of+halifax+nova+scotia&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBAU810AU810&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=LolveyJ3xLSmMM%253A%252CcwMRmSFKXf8fLM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kR08XJES67V1MOJgMMNqUTmZTPvsA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQ6-br-6jeAhVbfCsKHc2pALAQ9QEwBnoECAUQCg#imgrc=LolveyJ3xLSmMM:

Halifax, in Nova Scotia (Canada), was an important port for Atlantic shipping during World War One. In December 1917, tragedy struck when the French steamer Mont Blanc, laden with explosives, collided with the Norwegian Imo. Wikipedia suggests that approximately 2000 people were killed. The ensuing devastation - including fire and tsunamis - resulted in an urgent call for international aid. Christian Science Wartime Activities (1914-1918)* reports that The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, was one of several first responders. A team of five was appointed to immediately "proceed to Halifax with relief" (p. 61).

A newspaper in Minnesota later reported that -

"Catastrophe...makes strange bedfellows... As soon as the wreck of Halifax was flashed to Boston, The Mother Church of Christian Science raised $10,000 in cash, secured a special train, loaded it with supplies and with the cash and supplies was ready to speed relief to the stricken city.

"The officials of Boston, trying to get a special train, found the Scientists were a lap ahead of them, and special trains are not easy to get these days. The Red Cross made a like discovery. Both city and Red Cross hurried to The Mother Church officials.

"On Schedule time that train pulled away from Boston loaded with the workers, supplies and money of the Church of Christ, Scientist, with doctors and medicines from the city of Boston and with nurses and supplies from the Red Cross.

"Where has there been a more splendid sinking of human belief and opinion, of religious and personal prejudice, the forgetting of all revilings and enmities, in the bigger, nobler, holier faith in a common humanity? It recalls the tenth and eleventh Beatitudes."

An article titled "Remembering Halifax at Christmas", recalls the experience of a granddaughter of a Halifax man who was killed in the 1917 explosion. The article can be found in the December 1998 issue of The Christian Science Journal.

J. Swannell

*Copyright 1922 The Christian Science Publishing Society

"Hands Across the Sea"

World War One created huge and far-reaching hardship. The scope of the benevolence offered by the Christian Science War Relief Fund, set up in 1914, was wide, but it was carefully and meticulously conferred on the needy. Chapter II, aptly titled "Hands Across the Sea", chronicles specific instances of blessings that accrued from the distribution of generously donated funds.

One woman, a Christian Scientist, had been a sculptress before the outbreak of war. Finding herself without customers, she conceived the idea to make dolls. With "some slight assistance from the fund" (page 49), she was soon on her way with this new business, which proved to be so successful, that after a while, she was not only providing dolls for large shops in Paris and overseas, but she also needed to employ eleven more women in order to keep up with the demand!

Due to the remoteness of some regional areas of France, The Mother Church - through its local Fund committees - sent letters to dignitaries in 159 regions, explaining the fund and its purpose. These letters specifically invited applications to the fund and they "called forth a very general and enthusiastic response" (p. 51). It is sobering to read that some of the villages had been completely obliterated.

Some of the interesting cases assisted included:
- an artificial leg
- warm clothing for refugee children
- furniture for those who had been sleeping on straw
- packages for prisoners of war
- funds to evacuate children to safety
- funds for sewing machines which were shared among inhabitants
- bedding, blankets, warm clothing and boots
- funds to trustworthy channels in particularly devastated regions.

The sentiment from Mary Baker Eddy's Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures p. 13: "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals" was put into action as aid was extended to a Protestant clergyman (p. 47), an American nurse (ibid), a young Jewish woman from Algiers (p. 48), some Russian ladies (ibid), an Austrian, Poles, Swedes, Italians, and Armenians.

A newspaper report dated November 10, 1918, is of special interest:

"It is not by almsgiving in the name of their religion so widely spread in America, that they seek to aid the victims of the war. It is rather by placing in each man's hand an instrument by which he can overcome evil and so eventually efface all trace of calamity, including war.

Is there any more beautiful religion than the overcoming of evil? Science, allied with this noble idea of Christianity, which for centuries has taken root in the world, becomes a means of uplifting the individual and his family both materially and morally. 

The wounds to be healed are innumerable. Universal brotherhood which is the basis of the doctrine of Christian Science finds its work here. The motive of the Christian Science War Relief Fund is to put into the hands of persons in distress the means of re-creating by their own efforts an independent position."

The stories in this book tell of comfort and relief felt through love's touch, generously and judiciously shared in ways that made a difference to many individuals. It is very inspiring.

Julie Swannell

Selfless teamwork

Among the front-matter in our October book, Christian Science Wartime Activities* (WWI), is a passage from Mary Baker Eddy's Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 120:

Beloved Students, loyal laborers are ye that have wrought valiantly, and achieved great guerdons in the vineyard of our Lord; but a mighty victory is yet to be won, a great freedom for the race; and Christian success is under arms, - with armor on, not laid down.

This book, copyright by The Christian Science Publishing Society in 1922,  comprises an introduction and ten lively chapters which report on the work of Christian Scientists worldwide as they strove to meet the pressing needs of their fellow Christian Scientists and others during the awful conflict called the Great War of 1914-1918 (World War One). In particular, it chronicles the inspiration, generosity, and superb teamwork brought to bear by the "War Relief Committee" - appointed by the Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church in 1914, and the "Camp Welfare Committee" - appointed by the same board in 1917 (see page 14). 

We are informed that "more than two thousand persons served voluntarily and without compensation" on these committees, whilst the "more than two hundred" who devoted their full-time, "often lived in the camps and were subject to transfer without notice" (p. 16) were paid a "generous" salary.

Thus, the Christian Science Sentinel of October 24, 1914 carried the notice, which can now be found at jsh-online.com but is re-printed here for readers' convenience and interest:

A Relief Fund

By John V. Dittemore

From the October 24, 1914 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel

---

The many Christian Scientists who have desired to contribute to the relief of those of our people who are enduring the hardships which war entails, will welcome the opportunity afforded by the following letter, a copy of which has been mailed to all the branch churches and societies in the United States:—

To the Christian Science Churches and Societies in the United States.

DEAR FRIENDS:—This Board has been informed that, as a consequence of the war in Europe, Christian Scientists in the countries affected are in great distress. As a means of relieving this distress, The Mother Church will take a collection at both of its services on Sunday, Oct. 25. If your organization should desire to take similar action, this Board will be glad to forward to reliable committees of Christian Scientists whatever amounts you may send for this purpose.

Remittances may be sent to Adam H. Dickey, Treasurer, 103 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Very sincerely,

The Christian Science Board of Directors.
By John V. Dittemore, Secretary.

Subsequently, a "member of the Board of Lectureship" (p. 22) [William D. McCrackan] undertook a trip to Europe (by ship, of course) "in order to organize relief committees in the different countries" (ibid). It is interesting that this person was interviewed by the US "Secretary of State and some of the ambassadors accredited to the United States from the warring nations" all of whom approved the plan, which was originally designed to "assist Christian Scientists who had been placed in financial difficulty by the outbreak of the war" (p. 23).

In Europe, selected members from local churches were mobilised into working committees and it seems that US Embassies were advised of the work in each case and responded with hearty approval. Countries involved included Great Britain, France, Switzerland and thence even to Germany, where local Christian Scientists in Stuttgart and Berlin stepped up to help. Subsequently, committees sprouted in Italy and Holland.

Some emergency funding was distributed immediately, with the effect that "the fear of those in want was so quickly overcome" (p. 25) that they subsequently needed no further assistance.

Two months later, Sentinel readers were advised that more that US$80,000.00 had been received and was being distributed to Christian Scientists, but that "hundreds of thousands of others besides our own people...are in poverty and distress by reason of the war" (p. 25-6). By April 1915, the War Relief Fund was made permanent and thereafter "a continuous and steady flow of voluntary offerings poured in to the office of the Treasurer of The Mother Church" (p. 27). Apparently, some individuals offered a monthly amount, and it was made known that if their pledges amounted to just one dollar per month, all needs would be met. And so it was done.

The Mary Baker Eddy Library has a beautiful short video tribute to the world's first Christian Science Chaplain, CS teacher and practitioner Martin Jackson. As part of his ministering to the troops, he played baseball, provided entertainment, wrote letters, and walked many many miles! There's even a picture of him reading the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings to a large group of soldiers in France towards the very end of the war.

Julie Swannell

*As this book is now out of print and copies are rare, readers will be pleased to know that an online copy is available!