Article June 6, 1931 Issue

Extracts from Reports of Christian Science Committees on Publication

Since the beginning of the year, very few notices of the misleading biographies of our Leader have appeared in the ordinary press. One or two reviews of these have, however, been published in church magazines. In one instance, the clergyman responsible, after receipt of my letter of correction, sought an interview, and in consequence many misconceptions of the teachings of Christian Science were removed. In another instance a vicar published my correction in full; while another clergyman, in commenting on the correction he had received from me, advised those who wish to study Christian Science to read our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.

Early in the year, reprints from a book by a critic appeared in serial form in the Sunday Dispatch, which later published my answer to twenty-five questions propounded by the editor. This publicity evoked widespread interest in all sections of the country and aroused a great deal of correspondence in this country, and even in Europe and the colonies. Not only did the editor find the replies to the questions a success from the point of view of the circulation of his paper, but of special interest because of the challenge given to so many vital religious questions by the teachings of Christian Science. The result of this publicity has undoubtedly been to break down to a large extent the fear of many editors to publish anything having to do with Christian Science; and in some instances items concerning the activities of our movement are coming to be regareded as "news."

During the last few months a greater effort has been made to get into closer contact with local editors, to acquaint them with the views held by Christian Scientists and their attitude toward current social problems, and to supply them with facts concerning the progress and achievements of our movement. One way of doing this has been to draw their attention to articles and editorials in our periodicals, with a request that they should be reprinted in their papers with an acknowledgment of their source. It was a great encouragement when one newspaper republished an entire editorial from the Christian Science Sentinel, and another quoted several paragraphs from another editorial. Several papers also made reference to the opening of the Pacific Coast Sanatorium and the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church. This work is largely undertaken by assistants, through whose active and helpful cooperation increasingly satisfactory results are being attained.

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