Article September 9, 1922 Issue

Among the Churches

Current Notes

Two Harbors, Minn. (Christian Science Society).—The following historical sketch tells in part the story of earnest labors to establish the Cause of Christian Science and its demonstration in Two Harbors.

Interest in Christian Science was awakened here in 1901 through a family migrating from Ames, Iowa, where church and Sunday school services had been held in their home. The lone worker came with faith in God and a copy of the Bible and one of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy and took up pioneer work in this field. The pioneer work met with many hardships, but the deep-rooted and ever spreading branches of the Cause give evidence of the constancy and faithfulness of the small band of workers. On October 4, 1911, Christian Science Society of Two Harbors, Minnesota, was organized, with five charter members, and an executive board was elected. In June, 1919, a free public reading room was opened, and the distribution of literature steadily increased. The first public lecture was given in 1920, and was of great value in establishing a clearer understanding of the purposes of Christian Science in the community. This little society has found it possible to make contributions to the building fund of a neighboring church, also to the flood sufferers in Omaha and the fire sufferers in this district, to The Christian Science Benevolent Association, and to the Christian Science War Relief fund.

In 1921 a fire burned the building occupied by Christian Science Society for church and reading room purposes. So earnestly did they work to realize our beloved Leader's definition of fire as given on page 586 of Science and Health as "affliction purifying and elevating man," that they did not voice discoragement in the face of the fact that there seemed to be no building available. As they worked over and over again audibly they declared, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494). Then, like a bright ray of sunshine coming through what seemed to be a dark storm cloud, came a dear friend who offered her office as a meeting place until suitable location could be secured. The meetings were held without interruption, and this continued to be their haven during the construction of the new church edifice. The fire left the Society with a fund of four hundred and fifty dollars, and the members voted unanimously to purchase a lot and start the erection of a permanent church home. Through reading "The Mother Church," by Joseph Armstrong, courage was gained to forge ahead and realize that "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (Science and Health, p. 583) could not be obscured, even though the task seemed to be insurmountable. Through the generous voluntary contributions which continued to flow in, the work progressed. The faith and courage of this little band of workers brought admiration from those securing contracts, and many donations of work and material were made by them, though not interested in the Cause, thus resulting in a much more complete structure than was at first anticipated. Every need having been met, the first service was held Thanksgiving Day, 1921.

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