FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST

Southland Times, Issue 23557, 11 July 1938, Page 3

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST

ANNUAL MEETING AT BOSTON MR R. H. KNAPP ELECTED PRESIDENT A warning to nations “whose governments have been conceived largely in selfish ambition and brought forth by human force” was issued at the annual meeting at Boston of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, the Mother Church, by the Christian Science Board of Directors who declared the lessons of history show such governing bodies to be “of few days and full of trouble.” Reports disclosed continued growth of the Christian Science movement, increasingly higher standards for authorized periodicals, and a larger number of requests from groups of nonscientists for representative Christian Scientists to address them. The election of Mr Ralph Hastings Knapp, as president of the Mother Church was announced He succeeds Judge Clifford P. Smith. Mr Edward L. Ripley, and Mr Ezra W. Palmer were re-elected treasurer and clerk of the church respectively. The president is elected by the Christian Science Board of Directors to serve for one year. His duty is to be presiding officer at the annual meeting. DIRECTORS’ REPORT Mr Palmer, reading the statement from the directors, reported that the Mother Church had grown substantially in numbers during the past year, was united, harmonious and without debt. Then continuing on the theme of world relations he read, in part: “More important than all, however, is the marked success with which the healing ministry of Christian Science is being practised throughout the world. It also indicates that the day is approaching when responsible heads of governments will see that undue reliance upon material means and methods to accomplish their ends inevitably results in failure and defeat. They will then realize that no nation is stronger than the moral fibre of its people, and that a nation can become truly great and permanently endure only to the extent that spiritual qualities are cultivated in the thoughts of its citizens and permitted freely to operate in the government of their lives.” The directors further called the attention of Christian Scientists to the responsibility they have in respect to upholding such fundamental issues of life as cultivation of good will and preservaton of a system of government protecting the civil rights of its people and ensuring to them freedom of speech, of the press, and of religious worship. “While we should not magnify error or become unduly alarmed by the present-day suggestions of war and disaster aggressively presented through many channels,” it was declared, “we must be keenly alert not to allow a false sense of security to lull us to sleep and make us indifferent to situations of national and international character which, unless corected, are destined to affect our interests as directly as if the scene of their action were within the bounds of our own community.” Mr Knapp, as incoming president, expressed the need for spiritualizing consciousness. “The way of accomplishment,” he said, “is through renewed consecration; a greater purification of sense and self; more love for God and humanity.” MEDICAL REGIMENTATION The Hon. C. Augustus Norwood, manager of committees on publication, expressed the stand Christian Scientists should take on the question of medical regimentation. “Medical regimentation," he declared, “appears well entrenched, from the League of Nations down through national, state, county and local health departments; and the public in general was never more apathetic with regard to it.

“This does not mean that the dominant school of medicine and Christian Science are lined up against each other, for many medical men are more ready than ever before to recognize the religion of Christian Science and its healing ministry. “Our position is a strong one. We never interfere with the rights of others to enjoy whatever method of healing they may prefer; we ask simply that our right to rely on spiritual means for healing be not interfered with.” The report of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, read by Mr Richard J. Davis, chairman, told of 3211 lectures delivered during the past year. The lecture held at Baguio, in the Philippine Islands, was unique, he said, for in the audience there were about 60 native Igorots, one of whom introduced the lecturer. In Tasmania a lecture was broadcast for the first time.