Extracts from Reports of Christian Science Committees on Publication

Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma editors and publishers have shown the greatest consideration in handling objectionable reports and comments dealing with Christian Science, Christian Scientists, and our Leader. The principal attack through the press was that of an editor who delivered an address before the guests attending the annual clinic dinner of the Oklahoma City Clinical Society. The statements made were reported in one of the leading papers after considerable deletion.

The editor of the paper gave your Committee a column and a half in which to reply defending Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science in general, affording us an opportunity to cover in a very comprehensive manner the misstatements made. An interesting experience in connection with this attack developed a few nights later. One of the guests at the clinic dinner decided to ascertain firsthand if any part of the statements made were true. Seeing a Christian Science lecture announced, he attended the lecture. He expressed his appreciation for the good received, thoroughly convinced that the attack was unjust and unwarranted—again proving the words of the immortal Lincoln, "Truth is generally the best vindication against slander."

The friendly attitude of the press is maintained through contacts of our Assistant Committees and through a growing understanding that Christian Science is a tangible religion with a real message for humanity. We have, in The Christian Science Monitor, a wonderful missionary, with its universally fair and impartial treatment of world events. The wide distribution of our literature; our lectures; our services and Wednesday evening meetings; and our radio programs, including the new feature, "The Monitor Views the News," coupled with constructive information, have broken down many barriers. The result is that men of affairs seek the message our periodicals carry. The Christian Science Monitor is held in high esteem by editors throughout the world; and some classes in journalism hold it up as a model of constructive journalism. The director of a high school says: "The journalism department of—High School makes a daily study and report of the way leading newspapers handle the news of the day. We are especially anxious to have The Christian Science Monitor, which we consider outstanding in the field of constructive journalism. Assuring you that the Monitor would be used and appreciated by some sixty journalism students, most of whom do not have other access to it, I am (Signed),—, Director High School Journalism Dept." Arrangements were made immediately to supply the need.

The weekly Lesson-Sermon excerpts, consisting of advance notices and reports of our Sunday services, are sent out regularly each month to assistant committees for newspapers in their respective communities. These are published in full in more than sixty newspapers in the state, and the metropolitan papers give our churches and societies the regular space assigned on the church page. There is no question that the excerpts from the Lesson-Sermons appearing in the secular press have opened channels heretofore closed to our periodicals. In several instances, when these have not been received promptly, the editors have called up Assistants and asked for them—thus showing their interest. A man previously antagonistic to Christian Science was healed of prejudice listening to the radio programs, and later motored sixty miles to hear a Christian Science lecture.

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Editorial

Listening for God's Voice

February 2, 1935

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