Items of Interest February 3, 1934 Issue

Items of Interest

In this column in the Sentinel of November 25, 1933, the reader was promised a series of items telling of the functions of the several departments of The Mother Church Offices. The series then began by giving an account of the work of the Clerk of The Mother Church. This item will discuss the scope and duties of the last-created office, the Bureau of History and Statistics, the title of which is now changed to Bureau of History and Records.

It is well known that in the earliest days of any movement which is barely beginning to extend its influence, little or no notice is paid to the preservation of historical data for history's sake. Pioneers may even be unconscious of the fact that they are making history, and as a result many transactions that later will be inquired into are, perhaps, unrecorded. While it is true that in the early days of the Christian Science movement little was done for the definite purpose of recording history, the movement today, still young—for it has had less than seventy years of existence—has made a definite move looking to the future.

In May, 1932, The Christian Science Board of Directors established the Bureau aforesaid with a competent editor at its head. The new department was announced in the Sentinel of May 7, 1932. One should not infer from the announcement that the collection and the use of historical data had just then been begun, for such was not the case; rather, at this time the historical work of the Christian Science movement was given identity and impetus. One result has been the appearance of articles monthly in The Christian Science Journal that throw new light on the early history of the movement and the life of its Founder, Mrs. Eddy. These articles, begun nearly a year ago, and to appear indefinitely, will, because of the widespread interest they have aroused among Christian Scientists and others, reappear in pamphlet form, as already announced by The Christian Science Publishing Society.

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