[We copy the following article from the May issue of the Broadway Magazine. We regret that in a history of the New York Christian Science organizations the fact was not named that the Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, gave the first lecture on Christian Science ever delivered in that city. —Editor Sentinel.]

Christian Science had acquired a very considerable following in Boston before it gained a foothold in New York City. Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and author of its text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," had established the Massachusetts Metaphysical college in Boston in 1881, and by the beginning of the year 1885 had instructed a great many students in Christian Science Mind-healing. Prior to the establishment of her College, for many years she had taught classes in Mind-healing. These students had scattered to different parts of the country, and wherever they went they began to teach and practise Christian Science. Under authority of Mrs. Eddy, each of her students was permitted to organize what was known as and institute for the teaching of Christian Science, and in these institutes classes were taught in Christian Science Mind-healing. By this method Mrs. Eddy's students gradually drew to themselves bodies of their own students, who in time formed the nucleus of a church. In some instances the students of several institutes united in forming one church.

The first students of Mrs. Eddy to come to New York City to teach and practise Christian Science Mind-healing were Mr. J. Allan Campbell and his wife, Mrs. Lysbeth L. Campbell, who came in March, 1885, at Mrs. Eddy's request. They organized the New York Metaphysical Institute, which was the first institute organized in this city. In the fall of 1885 Mr. Campbell taught a class, consisting of twelve students, which was the first Christian Science class ever taught in New York City, To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell also belong the honor of entertaining the first National Christian Scientists' Association. which was founded by direction of Mrs. Eddy in the year 1886. On Feb. 11 of that year its first meeting was held in New York City at their home, No. 672 Lexington Avenue. Christian Scientists from Chicago, Boston, and other parts of the United States, to the number of thirty-two, were present. Mr. Campbell was elected president of the association for the first year. Mrs. Campbell is still practising Christian Science in New York City.

The next of Mrs. Eddy's students to come to New York City was Mrs. Laura Lathrop, who came in the fall of 1885 at Mrs. Eddy's request. Mrs. Lathrop, immediately after her arrival, began to practise and teach Christian Science, and in the fall of 1886 organized the New York Christian Science Institute, at No. 144 West Thirty-fourth Street, the first advertisement of which appeared in The Christian Science Journal of September, 1886. Mrs. Lathrop is still engaged in the teaching and practice of Christian Science in New York City.

Mrs. Lawrence Brown, A.M., M.D., was the next student to come to New York City from the Massachusetts Metaphysical College to practise Christian Science. She arrived in the early part of the summer of 1886 and established the New York Academy of Christian Science in January of 1887, at 108 West Forty-second Street, where she taught and practised Christian Science.

During the summer of 1886, Mr. F. D. Snider, with his wife, Mrs. Carrie H. Snider, came to New York from Kansas City and began the teaching and practice of Christian Science. They organized the Metropolitan Christian Science Institute, at 27 West Twenty-sixth Street, in 1888.

In November of 1886, Mrs. Eddy sent Mrs. Augusta E. Stetson to New York City. Mrs. Stetson had been teaching and practising Christian Science Mind-healing for two years in Boston, Mass., occasionally supplying the pulpit of the Christian Science Church, now known as The First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, Mass. Upon arriving in New York City. Mrs. Stetson began at once to practise and teach Christian Science, but did not organize an institute until she had taught a large body of students. In 1891 she organized the New York City Christian Science Institute, at 96 Fifth Avenue.

Mrs. Eddy afterwards taught other students who were residents of New York City, most of whom still continue to practise and teach Christian Science.

The first meeting of the body now known as First Church of Christ, Scientist, of New York City, was held informally on the 27th of November, 1887, at Columbia Institute, No. 729 Sixth Avenue, at which Dr. S. J. Sawyer made an address. Prior to this date meetings had been held in the homes of Christian Scientists, but no organization as a church had been attempted.

On Dec. 4. 1887, the first regular Sunday sermon was preached by Mrs. Augusta E. Stetson at Columbia Institute, and three weeks later. Dec. 29. the first of three meetings required by law to effect incorporation was held at the residence of Mrs. F. A. Kingsley, No. 25 West Thirty-first Street, which was also the residence of Mrs. Stetson. Following are the names of the persons who organized the church: Dr. S. J. Sawyer, C.S.D. ; Mr. F. D. Snider, C.S.B.; Mrs. Carrie H. Snider, C.S.B.; Mrs. Laura Lathrop, C.S.B.; Mrs. Augusta E. Stetson, C.S.B.; Mrs. Caroline W. Frame, Mr. R. Skinner, Mrs. Elizabeth Skinner, Mr. J. M. Gano. C.S.B.; Mrs. Vienna D. Gano. C.S.B.; Mrs. F. A. Kingsley, Mrs. Lawrence Brown, A.M., M.D., C.S.B.; Mr. J. H. Richards, Mrs. J. H. Richards, Mr. O. C. Frost, Mrs. Margaret S. Ellis, Mrs. H. G. Hastings.

The certificate of incorporation of the church was filed on Feb. 3. 1888. A few days before this a hall was secured over Caswell & Massey's drug store, No. 578 Fifth Avenue, where services were held. On Feb. 20, 1888, Mrs. Augusta E. Stetson was formally elected first pastor of the church, and was re-elected its pastor each year until 1895, when personal preaching was discontinued and the Bible, together with "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the text-book of Christian Science, were ordained by Mrs. Eddy as the only preachers in all Christian Science churches. Mrs. Stetson was then unanimously elected First Reader of the church, to which position she was re-elected each year until 1902, when a new by-law of The Mother Church, providing for rotation in office of Readers, was instituted, limiting the term of office to three years. Upon the adoption of this by-law Mrs. Stetson immediately resigned her position as First Reader. Since then she has devoted her time exclusively to the teaching and practice of Christian Science. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the church.

Before the end of 1888 the congregation removed from over Caswell & Massey's drug store to Crescent Hall, No. 138 Fifth Avenue, where, on Oct. 15, the first Christian Science Sunday School ever held in New York City was instituted.

By January, 1889, the congregation had grown to such proportions that Crescent Hall was too small, and a move was made to Hardman Hall, Nineteenth Street and Fifth Avenue, where it remained until April, 1894, when, because of lack of room, it removed to Rutgers Presbyterian Church, later known as Scottish Rite Hall, at Madison Avenue and Twenty-ninth Street. Services were held here until September, 1896.

On Feb. 6. 1896, the church purchased the church propery formerly occupied by the congregation of Rev. R. Herber Newton, at No. 143 West Forty-eighth Street, at a cost, together with the land and improvements, of upwards of one hundred thousand dollars. This is the first church property ever owned by Christian Scientists in New York City.

In April, 1899. the Forty-eighth Street church having been outgrown, a new building site was purchased on the northwest corner of Central Park West and Ninety-sixth Street. The corner-stone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, 1899. In the corner-stone were placed the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy. and a copy of all her other writings, together with The Christian Science Journal, the Christian Science Sentinel, and Quarterly, and a list of all the members of the church, with a letter from Mrs. Eddy, which reads as follows:—

"Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.
"To Mrs. A. E. Stetson:

"Beneath this corner-stone, in this silent, sacred sanctuary of earth's sweet songs, pæans of praise and records of Omnipotence, I leave my name with thine in unity and love.

"Mary Baker G. Eddy.
"Nov. 30. 1899."

The first regular service was held in the unfinished building on the 14th of June, 1903. On the 29th of November of the same year the church was dedicated. Four services were held to accommodate the large number of visitors, many of whom were unable to enter for lack of room. It is estimated that four thousand persons were present at the afternoon service, and fully a thousand were unable to gain admission. A dedicatory message by Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy was read by Mrs. Stetson, and a dedicatory address was written and delivered by Mrs. Stetson.

Although the seating capacity of the new church is about twenty-one hundred, there are often a hundred or more persons standing during the regular church services. The cost of the church was upwards of twelve hundred thousand dollars. The entire amount was contributed by Mrs. Stetson's students and the members of the church. No funds were solicited or received from the outside. The present membership of the church is 1,883.

The Sunday School membership is two hundred and six. There are twenty-six teachers, besides a superintendent and officers. The church has maintained a free Christian Science Reading Room in connection with the church continuously since May 19, 1891.

On Feb. 15, 1889. a great impulse was given to the Christian Science movement in New York City by a lecture delivered by Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy at Steinway Hall. Referring to this lecture in the issue of the following morning, the New York World said: "Over a thousand ladies and gentlemen assembled last, night at Steinway Hall and listened to a lecture by Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, of Boston, President of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, on the subject of 'Science in Christianity.' The lecturer was introduced by Rev. John A. Ager, of Brooklyn.

"In speaking of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy said that the starting-point was God, and that there was no power beside Him. 'If God is All in all,' she said, 'there is no place for sickness, sin, nor death. Christian Science, continued the lecturer, 'teaches us that Jesus really showed us the way to God, to the true Life of man, which is Spirit, Is materia medica a science? I have not found in it the character of invariability that belongs to science. I have found by actual experiment that as a drug is attenuated its power is increased until the drug is gone, and when nothing is left but mind, its greatest efficacy is reached.' "

On May 27, 28, and 29, 1890. a meeting of the National Christian Scientists' Association was held in the city of New York at Lenox Lyceum Hall, Madison Avenue and Fifty-ninth Street. There was a large gathering of Christian Scientists at this meeting from all parts of the United States and Canada. Gen. Erastus Bates presided, and the address of welcome was delivered by the pastor of the church, Mrs. Augusta E. Stetson. A large number of reports were read from different parts of the country, showing that Christian Science had made very considerable progress at that time.

On Oct. 15, 1891, Mrs. Laura Lathrop organized Second Church of Christ, Scientist, with nine members besides herself. The following are the names of the charter members of Second Church: Mrs. Laura Lathrop, C.S.D.: James M. Gano, Elizabeth P. Skinner, Florence P. Benedict, Mrs. Vienna D. Gano, Minnie S. Osgood, Charles H. Freeman, Caroline W. Frame, Agnes E. Rollen, Dean J. Osgood.

Each of the above named left First Church with Mrs. Lathrop for the purpose of organizing Second Church, believing that it was expedient to organize another church further up-town. For a time Second Church met at a private house. No, 161 West Thirty-fourth Street, Later it moved to 117 West Forty-second Street, and then to 1544 Broadway. From there it moved to Hodgson Hall, 2 East Forty-fifth Street, and then to Scottish Rite Hall, Twenty-ninth Street and Madison Avenue, after it was vacated by First Church. In these various locations the church spent the first ten years of its existence, and at the end of that period it erected its beautiful marble church edifice at the corner of Sixty-eighth Street and Central Park West, at a cost of five hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. During these ten years the church increased its membership from ten to one hundred and seventy-five, and since that period it has added four hundred and twenty-two members, thus making its present membership five hundred and ninety-seven. It also has one hundred and ten pupils in its Sunday School and seventeen teachers.

There are many interesting features connected with the voluntary contributions to the building fund of this church. A noteworthy instance was the donation of the $15,000 Odell organ, which was presented to the church in the name of a little child, and in humble gratitude for the child's restoration to health by Christian Science from a so-called incurable disease. The reading-desk of solid mahogany was contributed by members of the theatrical profession, who desired to express their gratitude in this practical way for the many benefits they had received in Christian Science.

The church edifice seats twelve hundred. Mrs. Laura Lathrop was re-elected pastor of this church each year until 1895, when all personal preaching was discontinued, and thereafter was elected First Reader each year until 1902, when a by-law of The Mother Church was adopted, providing for rotation in office of Readers. Since then Mrs. Lathrop has devoted her time to the teaching and practice of Christian Science.

Third Church of Christ, Scientist, of New York City, was incorporated on the 13th day of December, 1895. and did the pioneer work of Christian Science in the Harlem district. Following are the names of the charter members: Mrs. Carrie Harvey Snider, C.S.D.; Mr. Charles H. Dale, Mr. Henry B. Simmons, Mr. Charles P. Simmons, Mr. Frank P. Lawrence, Mrs. Effie Andrews, Mrs. Jennie L. Dale. Mrs. F. Huberta Foote, Mr. Joseph A. Lemmon, Mrs. Mary J. Ross, Miss Emma Nichols Ross.

Services were first held in the Hamilton Bank Building, 125th Street, then in Ellerslie Hall, at No. 80 West 126th Street. In August, 1905. the church moved to its present church building on 125th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues. The church has now two hundred and sixty-four members, and there are eighty scholars and fifteen teachers and officers in the Sunday School.

Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, New York City, was organized in October, 1896, with nine charter members, who are as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth P. Skinner, C.S.D.; Mrs. Caroline W. Frame, C.S.B.; Mrs. Vienna D. Gano, C.S.B., Mrs. Frances V. Sanford; Mrs. Anna M. Cable; Mrs. Jane G. Roeber; Miss Agnes Rollin; Mr. Edward A. Roeber; Mr. C. J. Howard.

Church services were first held in the basement of 314 West Seventy-sixth Street, then at 2291 Broadway, and later at 251 West Eighty-second Street, its present location. The number of members of the church at the present time is one hundred and twenty. There are four teachers and twenty-five pupils in the Sunday School.

Fifth church of Christ, Scientist, New York City, was organized May 29, 1900, by Mrs. Rosalind Roberts, C.S.B.; John L. Roberts, C.S.B.; Miss Julie Tournier, Mrs. Grace Hoffman White, Horace Dillon, Mrs. Ella J. Dillon, Mrs. Fannie Johnstone, Mrs. Margaret Stockwiss, Mrs. Harriet Inglis, Miss Marie Dumont, Mrs. Florence Baker, Miss Georgiana Stoddard, Clarence E. Burnham, Mrs. Annie Burnham, Mrs. Mary L. Frieze.

Services were held in a hall at the corner of Fifty-ninth Street and Madison Avenue until January, 1904, when the present church edifice at 228-230 West Forty-ninth Street was obtained. The church now has eighty-three members. with seventy-five pupils in the Sunday School.

Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, New York City, was organized May, 1906, with fifteen members. The services are held at 131 East Thirty-fourth Street.

The Central Reading Room in New York City is at 23 West Twenty-third Street. The following is quoted from the Christian Science Sentinel of Feb. 27, 1904:—

"The Central Reading Room at 23 West Twenty-third Street, which was opened in November, 1903, under the auspices of representatives from Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Churches of this city, has greatly progressed in its work, and much Christian Science literature has been distributed."

In March, 1905, the Harlem Branch of the Central Reading Room was opened at 123 West 125th Street. The two Reading Rooms are still maintained, and are doing an important work in Christian Science.