Article November 2, 1907 Issue

It must have been about the year 1895 that we first...

The Hon. Mrs. William Rowley—London, Eng.

Onlooker

It must have been about the year 1895 that we first heard the name of Christian Science. What we were told on the subject excited my ridicule, and I remember being much delighted at a story of its reported failure in a case of healing. We were also shown a book which purported to teach Christian Science healing, in which we found a kind of formula for the use of the practitioner. I saw that book again two years ago, after I had been studying true Christian Science for some years, and I realized that my ridicule was well deserved, for it was a travesty on the subject. Early in the year 1897 our attention was again drawn to Christian Science, and this tune it was presented in its true light. We listened to the wonderful tales of healing, and we marveled. I had often wondered whether, had I lived in the first century, I should have had the courage to listen to the teachings of Jesus and his disciples, and whether I could have faced the ridicule of the world, let alone the possibility of martyrdom. And now that the same old story was being retold, and "signs and wonders" were again being wrought in our midst, what should I do? Was it safe to turn away and refuse even to investigate these phenomena? Surely it would be wiser to look into these strange theories: if they were not true, it could do no harm, and if they were true, how could I turn my back upon them? So it happened that after a while, when I was attacked by a very severe cold, which generally meant sending for the doctor and spending some days in bed, that we decided to make a trial of this system of healing, and so put it to the proof. Accordingly I went to see a lady and asked for help. The lady was very kind and assured me that I should soon be well, and that I should be able to fulfil some rather important engagements without fear. It all seemed very strange, but I was determined to give it a fair trial, and to do as I was asked. The result of two or three visits to the lady was that my cold vanished and, what was much more remarkable to me, I felt absolutely strong and well. After that I bought a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy.

During the autumn our interest in the subject increased, and when we received an invitation to attend the opening service of the Christian Science church in their newly acquired premises in Bryanston Street, we at once decided to go. I remember the hall was quite full of people, and the service was conducted by an American lady; also that the late Sir Francis Calton read an address. I do not think we understood much of the service, but we decided to pursue our investigations of the subject, and we attended a course of lectures, which strengthened our growing conviction that Mrs. Eddy had brought to light a long-hidden truth, and that she had again made it possible to proclaim, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." From that date to this, for the last nine years, it has been our privilege to take part in the work of establishing Christian Science in London, and to watch its wonderful growth in the United Kingdom. I suppose that in 1897 there were not more than fifty people in the British Isles who really followed Mrs. Eddy's teachings. Now, in 1907, that is, in less than ten years, there are three large churches in London alone; there are churches in Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, and Belfast, and services are held in seventy other places, some being small "churches" or "societies," and others simply services held in halls or private houses. All the churches, and many of the societies, maintain free Reading Rooms, where all the Christian Science literature can be read.

The work proceeds quietly and unostentatiously. What is the secret of its marvelous growth? Is it not that Mrs. Eddy has enabled each one of us to prove for himself the truth of the teaching of Jesus; that she has shown us the rules by which we can work out every problem of life as it is presented to us? These rules are in the Bible; Mrs. Eddy found them there herself; but they were hidden from us, buried under a mass of superstition, dogma, and ecclesiasticism. People say, "It is nothing new." Nor is it; it is as old as the Ancient of Days! The laws of gravitation were not new, but it required a Newton to discover them. All honor to Newton; all honor to Mrs. Eddy. Christian Science—the truth of Christ—is available every minute of the day ; nothing is too small to which to apply the light of Truth, nothing is too great—it is all or nothing.

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