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!