CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 196, 20 July 1937, Page 7

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST. ANNUAL MEETING. The report of the annual meeting of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Boston, Mass., on June 7, records that the progress of Christian Science was expressed in the organisation and recognition of fifty-nine new churches and. societies; in sales increases of 66 per cent, for the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, discoverer and founder of Christian Science; and in an increasingly friendly public thought as reflected by legislative bodies when handling measures involving medical and religious freedom; also in much good healing work.

The election of Judge Clifford P. Smith of Newton, Maes., as church president for the conung year, Mr Edward L. Ripley, of Brookline, as treasurer. and. Mr Ezra W. Palmer, of Marshfield, as clerk, was announced. The president is elected by the Board of Directors to serve for one year. His duty is to be presiding officer at the annual meeting. Judge Smith, C. 5.8., LL.B., became interested in Christian Science at Mason City, lowa, in 1896, where he practised law before becoming Judge of the District Court of lowa, the Superior Court of that State. He has been a member of the Mother Church since 1902, and was one of its executive members. He had class instruction from an authorised teacher in 1901, primary instruction from the Christian Science Board of Education in 1903, and normal instruction from this board in 1910. Since 1932 ho has been editor of the Mother Church’s burea.u of history and records. He also had the privilege of rendering particular services under the direction of Mar.y Baker Eddy. Judge Smith declared in his address that “To ensure its strength and success, an organised movement requires: (1) A good purpose clearly stated; (2) an intelligent plan for achieving this purpose; (3) active co-operation in accordance with the plan by the persons who compose the movement. The Christian Science movement hag the first of these essentials in our leader’s writings on the nature and purpose of our church. The second of these essentials (a practical plan conceived in wisdom) we have in our church manual. The third essential can be restated for our movement as a-ctive and united efforts to communicate, demonstrate and propagate the science of mind-healing. For this essential the responsibility rests on all Christian Scientists collectively and individually.’

RECORD OF PROGRESS. The fact that the Christian Science denomination has 278.1 branches was cited and Miss M. Rosamond Wright, manager of the department of branches and practitioners, reported further for the year, “Good growth in our movement is shown through the organisation and recognition of fifty-nine new churches and societies as branches of the Mother Church, and six new' university organisations. Twenty-five of these branches are in Europe, thirty in North America, two in Australia and New Zealand, one in Africa, and one in South America.” The board of directors, in its message read by the retiring chairman, Mrs Nelvia E. Ritchie, stated: “The inspiring reports and testimonies of healing that have come to this board during the past year give abundant proof of work well done, of progress throughout the movement, give evidence of obedience to principle, and bear witness that the truth Jesus demonstrated is again understood and made manifest on earth to-day. While these splendid evidences of progress give cause for rejoicing and we humbly bow our heads in gratitude to God for these proofs of His power and presence, yet as students of Christian Science we all realise that greater works are before us.” In the report of the manager ot committees on publication, Hon. G. Augustus Norwood declared : “During the year, secular newspapers published approximately one .hundred thousand excerpts from our lesson-sermons, each of which showed that Christian Science is based on the Bible. They reprinted about twelve thousand religious articles from the Christian Science Monitor.' Judge Frederick C. Hill, chairman of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, reported that 3216 lectures had been delivered during the year ended April 30. Of these lectures 53 were given in Africa, 54 in Australia .and New Zealand, seven in Hawaii, China, Japan and Manila, one in the City of Mexico, eight in Bermuda, the Canal Zone and the West Indies, 242 in Great Britain and Ireland, 129 in Continental Europe and Scandinavia and 2722 in Canada, the United States and Alaska. “The Press has been very generous in contributing space for the publication of lecture reports,” Judge Hill declared. Mr Edward L. Ripley, church treasurer, expressed gratitude for the increased individual activity, accomplished by members of the Mother Church. _ In the report of the clerk, Air Ezra W. Palmer, attention was drawn to the international appeal of Christian Science as indicated l»jf the fact that the instructions for filling out tions for membership in the Mother Church are now available in 11 13 Church, built on the Rock, Christ, is a mighty power for righteousness,” he declared. ft m leavening, transforming and spiritualising thought throughout the world, both within and without the Christian Science movement.”