Article March 9, 1929 Issue

Extracts from Reports of Christian Science Committees on Publication for the Year Ended September 30, 1928

During the past twelve months period two hundred and ninety-seven Christian Science lectures were delivered in the state by members of the Board of Lectureship of The Mother Church. Sixty-six lectures were published in full by the press. There were two hundred and forty-nine lecture excerpts published, and five hundred and twenty-three reprints of religious articles from The Christian Science Monitor, in exchange for space devoted to advertising the Monitor as a newspaper. Quotations from the Monitor appearing in other newspapers continue to be numerous. It is noteworthy also that editoral comment of a complimentary nature is quite common, some of the papers departing from long established custom to express appreciation of the Monitor, and to publish an occasional excerpt of a Christian Science lecture. A favorable article appeared in the Engineering and Mining Journal, and a very fair and kindly article on Christian Science and Mrs. Eddy appeared in a Danish paper, Nordlyset. Several clergymen have made incorrect statements about Christian Science and our Leader, but, for the most part, the remarks indicated lack of information rather than an unkind attitude. Occasionally a little human kindness, expressed in a few words of appreciation of worthy deed or published thought, has warmed into friendliness the heart of a persistent critic. Several times during the year critical addresses on Christian Science have been announced for particular pulpit occasions, but they were not given. It is increasingly evident that public criticism of Christian Science is not so popular as it once was. One clergyman, an Episcopalian rector of a New York city church, has spoken highly of the Christian Science movement. A clergyman in Mount Vernon publicly advised his hearers to read The Christian Science Monitor.

There is discussion in some of the larger cities as to who shall be in charge of the medical inspection of our schools—the Board of Health or the Board of Education. Earnest Christian Scientists are also earnest citizens. We have no right to criticize the school authorities because our schools are rapidly becoming medical clinics, and home and parental duties are ruthlessly overridden, if we fail to take cognizance of these practices and encroachments. This is a representative form of government, under which we will have only that measure of medical liberty we earn by right Christian Science work and the consequent righteous discharge of the obligations of citizenship. Obedience to law does not deprive us of the right of protest against irksome regulations which are an encroachment on home life and on our right to rely solely on God for protection and healing.

No law antagonistic to Christian Science was enacted during the last session of the legislature. Of the thirty-three hundred and ninety-one bills introduced, only twenty-eight bills called for attention, two of them affecting Christian Science adversely. The other twenty-six afforded opportunity for permission to practice Christian Science under stated circumstances to be specifically set forth in the language of the bills. The two adverse bills passed both houses, but one was so amended that it was no longer undesirable, and the other was vetoed by the Governor. The members of the 1928 legislature are public-spirited, fully aware of the importance of their work, easily approached whenever it is necessary to explain our position to them, and have always accorded Christian Science a courteous and serious hearing.

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