Article December 18, 1926 Issue

Extracts from Reports of Christian Science Committees on Publication for the Year Ended September 30, 1926

Oklahoma.

There is every evidence of a better understanding on the part of editors; and in a number of instances articles presented for publication of a character antagonistic to Christian Science have been refused. This applies particularly to the larger dailies in Oklahoma. There have been no editorial attacks aimed at Mrs. Eddy or Christian Science during the year just closed. Such articles as have needed correction or explanation on the part of your Committee have consisted of carefully camouflaged news items or syndicated articles, the purpose of which was not recognized by the editors. In each instance, however, your Committee has been granted every consideration and liberal space for refuting misstatements. Copies of papers containing these corrections or explanantions have been purchased and widely distributed, in addition to their regular circulation. The magnitude and effectiveness of this sort of publicity will be more fully appreciated when it is known that the circulation of these papers is approximately one hundred and fifty thousand, or more, daily, and that it carries the message of Christian Science into new and hitherto unexplored channels. In one instance, one of the largest dailies in the state delayed the publication of an attack on Christian Science until a correction could be prepared in reply to the attack, which appeared simultaneously in the same issue. In one of the smaller towns there appeared mention of Christian Science in the reporting of a revival. The reply tendered in defense of Christian Science was declined. Later, however, the publisher, learning of the incorrectness of the report, made apologies, and without charge published the greater part of a Christian Science lecture, a concession on the part of the publisher. There are papers in the state which publish many items and editorials from The Christian Science Monitor, while one paper frequently publishes the metaphysical article, in each instance giving full credit to The Christian Science Monitor.

The pioneers of the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), in blazing the trail for civilization, carried with them the banner of Christian Science. On the sixteenth day of September, 1893, when the bugle sounded for the opening of the vast domain known as No-Man's-Land, there were in the multitude of home-seekers three families of Christian Scientists from Nebraska who took up their residence at Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma Territory. In a short time neighbors became interested in reading the Lesson-Sermon every Sunday morning, alternating at each other's homes during 1893 and 1894. Finally the number interested warranted the building of a small church, which was built in 1895. The church was dedicated, June 25, 1896, and received a charter as First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, in August, 1896. Thirty-three years have elapsed since the opening up of this country, during which time Christian Science has grown from a modest group of pioneers until at the present time it is recognized to be a prominent factor in the religious life of the state. In the larger cities of the state Christian Scientists have erected beautiful church edifices, costing from five thousand dollars to two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. One of these larger churches was dedicated free of debt in the earlier part of the year, and another will be dedicated before the close of the year. The smaller cities have creditable and comfortable church buildings, of which all Christian Scientists are justly proud.

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