Article July 22, 1916 Issue

Gratitude of the Traveler

MARGARET R. BURLINGAME

I have learned with gratitude what it means while traveling to find a Christian Science church in the different cities and towns. All tourists and travelers should be doubly grateful for the church that bids them welcome when they are away from the home circle, for it manifests the loving spirit of the Master when he said, "I was a stranger, and ye took me in." For a church in a tourist or resort city to care for its guests means much, since these organizations, many of which are very small, some being just societies, are confronted with several problems that are the direct result of the transient congregations. The increased size of the congregations during the resort season make it necessary to secure larger quarters for the entire year than the actual membership or ordinary visiting congregation requires, as well as larger and more elaborate reading-rooms and consequently greater expense for literature, Quarterlies, and Hymnals.

During a recent conversation with the president of the board of a small Christian Science church in one of the southern Florida cities, the remark was made that the many Scientists who are able to travel to the pleasant playgrounds of the South must very materially help in the financial matters of the church; but upon analysis it was found that just the opposite is true. The visiting Scientists seem either to be forgetful of the problems of the little church whose services and love they enjoy, or else they feel that because they are contributing at home they are exempt from any responsibility when away, other than an indifferent contribution of money.

Visitors undoubtedly do not realize what pioneer work means. For the few courageous workers it always means the expenditure not only of money, but of time, labor, and love. It is indeed a universal love which makes these workers in gratitude give so lavishly of their gifts in order that not only the home Scientist, but the stranger within their gates may find a places of rest and peace. These churches remind one of Mrs. Eddy's words to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago, Ill., found in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 182) : "May the wanderer in the wilderness of mortal beliefs and fears turn hither with satisfied hope. May the birds of passage rest their weary wings amid the fair foliage of this vine of His husbanding, find shelter from the storm and a covert from the tempest."

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