Each year in certain universities and colleges in the United States and England, groups of Christian Scientists come together with the opening of the college sessions in the fall and arrange for their work of the year. It may be that some of their most dependable members of the preceding year are no longer with them, having gone out from the university as alumni, and, although still retaining connection with the organization, are nevertheless separated from the regular functions. But prospective new members stand at the door, having come into the university in the freshman classes.

These organizations are established under a provision made by Mrs. Eddy and incorporated in the Church Manual as Article XXIII, Section 8, entitled "Privilege of Members." Often the Directors of The Mother Church are called upon to answer questions as to the application of this By-Law in the work of the Christian Science organizations. It is held by the Directors that the organizers of such a group must, according to the By-Law, be "members in good standing with The Mother Church," and that the officers of the organization must likewise be members in good standing. But the organization may have other members, who are Christian Scientists, although not yet united to The Mother Church. these, however, are ineligible for office.

The Directors likewise hold that Christian Scientists who are members of a Christian Science organization may, after leaving college, continue as alumni members, and by their support and encouragement help the undergraduates to carry on their work more effectively. The "active members" referred to in the By-Law are evidently the students, members of the faculty, or instructors of the college. Naturally, "active members" have the vote in respect to the affairs of the organization.

Those who have graduated from a college or university and who later become Christian Scientists may be admitted to membership in a college organization at their Alma Mater in accordance with the terms of the By-Law; that is, "by the unanimous vote of, the active members present, if the rules of the university or college so permit." This applies to alumni who, when undergraduates, were not connected with a Christian Science organization at their respective universities, but who now wish to become associated therewith.

These organizations hold meetings which do not interfere with the church services in their localities; or, if there are no church services available, they sometimes hold services on Sundays and on Wednesday evenings. If church attendance is available to them, however, their meetings, held usually on some evening other than Wednesday, proceed somewhat according to the Order of Service for the Wednesday evening meetings of churches and societies. The president usually presides, and reads suitable selections from the Bible and from Mrs. Eddy's writings, announces hymns, and reads special notices, after which experiences are given.

Some college organizations find it helpful to correspond with other organizations whose cards are in the Card Directory of The Christian Science Journal, and by interchange of experience and information new and helpful methods of carrying on the activities of the organization are sometimes found.

The By-Law referred to gives a Christian Science organization the privilege of having members of the Board of Lectureship lecture on Christian Science. Some organizations also have found it possible to arrange Reading Room privileges; that is, they have made available a quiet place where Christian Science literature may be read and studied by the college students and members of the faculty. In some localities the nearest branch church or branches cooperate with the college organizations in respect to space for opening a Reading Room, and for their lectures. In other localities permission is obtained from the university authorities to carry on these activities on the grounds of the university.

College organizations are a part of The Mother Church and are, as has been pointed out, formed under one of its By-Laws. Therefore, the organizations may look to the Directors of The Mother Church for counsel and information at any time. The college organization has a different status from a branch church, in that the former does not hold public services, although invited guests may at times attend its meetings. It also differs from a branch church in that its members come and go according to the duration of their student days in the colleges, and they are not required to withdraw from their respective branch churches or societies in order to be members of the college organizations.

In many colleges it is found that some students who register their religious preference as Christian Science do not avail themselves of the privilege of connection with the local Christian Science organization. Then the organization can reach out to show these students the strength and comfort to be obtained from availing themselves of the privileges of the organizations where they may become active helpers.

The first Christian Science organization at a college was formed at Harvard University in March, 1904, although the students had held annual gatherings in an informal way since 1898. It has reached out its arms to many hundreds of students at the university, and has helped them in their college work and equipped them for future experience. Its members hold annually a semiofficial meeting and reception at the opening of each college year for the purpose of becoming better acquainted with one another and of gaining further inspiration for carrying on in unity their work according to the provision made by Mrs. Eddy for the college students who are Christian Scientists.