Article March 9, 1918 Issue

Among the Churches

Current Notes

Durban, Natal, South Africa .—The sale of literature on the whole has been good, and a steady demand has been met at the reading room. Owing to irregular mails there has been difficulty at times in supplying all the literature required. The following figures may therefore be considered satisfactory: "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," 91 copies; Mrs. Eddy's other works, 75; "The Life of Mary Baker Eddy," 3; Bibles, 20; Hymnals, 32; pamphlets607; Sentinels (a week), 40; Journals (a month), 25; Monitors (a week), 36; Quarterlies (a quarter), 270. The increased interest that members generally are taking in the periodicals is shown by many new subscriptions sent to The Christian Science Publishing Society. This is particularly noticeable with regard to the Monitor, as in addition to the extra subscriptions there is a sale of thirty-six copies a week at the reading room.

The lending library has been freely used throughout the year. The lending copies of the textbook, numbering twenty-two, are frequently all on loan at the same time. It will be necessary to increase this number in the near future. The reading room has been more frequented than previously. Quite a number of soldiers have visited it, and there have been frequent expressions of gratitude from them for the literature. There are in all fifty-one places receiving copies of our literature, an increase of fourteen over last year. There has been a considerable increase in the number of subscriptions for literature placed at the disposal of the committee, which enables parcels to be sent to East Africa, to the "Huts," and also to be placed on board the transports; eight copies of Science and Health, seventeen Quarterlies, and thirty pamphlets have been given to soldiers passing through Durban, and grateful letters have been received. A box containing copies of the periodicals has recently been placed upon the platform of the Central Railway Station, and during the first nine days, 141 pieces of literature were taken away. To provide funds for a sufficient supply of literature for distribution, members are now adding sixpence extra to their monthly subscription. Literature given away during the year totaled 3986 pieces comprised as follows: 1461 Sentinels, 233 Journals, 19 Herolds, 2218 Monitors, 8 copies of Science and Health, 17 Quarterlies, 30 pamphlets.

The newspapers in Natal are not numerous, but those that have published correspondence on the subject of Christian Science have shown a tolerant attitude. The criticisms have been mostly from a theological standpoint, and the letters from this source, like those from other sources, reveal much misunderstanding on the subject. During the past year the letters written by the committee on publication have been courteously received and published, with one exception. On several occasions The Natal Advertiser has published extracts from the Monitor. Copies of the Monitor are sent by the committee on publication to editors of newspapers and to individuals engaged in public work.