Article February 17, 1906 Issue

At the National Military Home, Ohio

Lloyd B. Coate

A few years ago a lady interested in Christian Science donated to the library of The National Military Home, Ohio, near Dayton, four copies of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. Later the Journal and Sentinelwere accepted, two copies of the former and three or four copies of the latter. There are about five thousand veterans of the Civil War at this Home.

A few days ago the writer visited the library. From the appearance of our periodicals it is quite evident that they are read. On inquiring of the librarian in regard to the copies of our text-book, they were found to be properly indexed under the name of the author. I was shown the books, the librarian informing me that one book had been read so much and become so badly worn that it had been destroyed. (It is a rule in the library when books show so much usage as to present an untidy appearance they are destroyed.) A second copy of Science and Health was read so much as to necessitate its being rebound, and the other two copies showed that they had been read. How much good this literature has done we may perhaps never know, but there have been a number of calls for healing, and some beautiful demonstrations of the power of Truth to bring relief and to heal when material remedies had failed. A half dozen or more members have identified themselves with the Christian Science churches in our city, and attend quite regularly.

I quote the following from a letter received a few weeks ago from an inmate of the Home: "Since I have been an inmate of this Home I have spent much of my time in the library. It was there that I first saw the Christian Science Sentineland Journal,and I confess I have found them the most interesting literature which I ever had the good pleasure to peruse. I am orthodox, but cannot see why there should be any variance between Christian Science and any other Christian belief, as the former seems to embrace all and the very best that can be found in any other creed. The truth as found in Christian Science seems to be the whole truth and nothing short of it." He then asks for some information, and adds, "I have just received the glorious information that a friend of mine in Chicago who was a confirmed inebriate and tobacco user, has been cured and is a member of the Christian Science church, all of which seems to be beyond belief, on account of the low state to which he had dropped, but, thanks to Almighty God and Christian Science, it is true." Since writing this letter his health has been wonderfully improved. About Christmas time he purchased a copy of the pocket edition of Science and Health. In another letter he writes, "The Journaland Sentinel,in my estimation, are the best matter that comes in here. In my home city (Pittsburg) there are a good many of the faith and they all seem proseperous and happy."

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