Christian Science Committee on Publication for New York Reports

This past year there were brought to my attention sixteen derogatory statements in the press. Answers were submitted to all of them, and about fifty per cent of the answers were published.

Corrections of impositions and injustices are not limited to newspapers or periodicals, but extend to "circulated literature of any sort" (Manual, Art. XXXIII, Sect. 2). Along the latter line, there have been twenty–five new books wherein were either critical statements regarding Christian Science and its Discoverer and Founder, or statements that showed primarily a lack of correct knowledge of Christian Science. (This is a marked improvement over last year, when there were forty–two books which needed correction.) In some of the publications it was considered unnecessary to make any corrections: in some cases the book was of such a nature that a second printing would be out of the question, and in other instances the reference was very inconsequential. However, when a deliberate misstatement was made, or a disparaging remark or malicious attack was evident, a letter was promptly sent to the publishers, and in some cases to the author direct.

Correct material was supplied to an encyclopedia, a new English–Spanish and Spanish–English dictionary, also to a Year Book and the 1943 edition of the World Almanac.

Your Committee was invited to address sixteen groups of non–Christian Scientists. Most of these were the young people's societies of churches. One address was before a group of theological students who each year come into New York City for an address on Christian Science, and their attendance counts on their year's credits—another sign of the desire for authoritative information.

Not only do groups of non–Scientists require and desire up–to–date information about Christian Science and the office of Committee on Publication, but members and attendants of our branch churches are also eager to receive current data. To accomplish this, meetings are arranged throughout the state each year. Last year your Committee addressed twenty–two church meetings. This year, because of the necessitated curtailment in traveling, fewer meetings have been scheduled.

Increasing evidence comes to the attention of the Committee on Publication indicating that the radio programs are fulfilling their healing mission.

Comments sent to radio stations from non–Christian Scientists, such as the following, increase the desire to present to the world in a greater degree the truth of Christian Science: "I was suffering from a bad stomach ulcer—which had caused me much pain. I was sitting by my radio listening, when the healing took place, and I have had no more pain or trouble." And again: "I have been listening to your programs since January, when I was in a hospital. I happened to turn on the radio, when I heard your program, and I made up my mind I was going home, and was not going through with the operation. From then on I was better and better, and all through the many past weeks I have accomplished enough to prove that nothing is impossible."

At one of the upstate colleges three Christian Science students were asked to talk on Christian Science at a religious symposium to be held by the student body. Through the Assistant to the Committee in the neighboring city they were advised to use authorized writings on Mrs. Eddy for material. It was worked out in a most effectual manner. They took the authentic biographies of Mrs. Eddy with them to the meeting, and when questions were asked about Christian Science they answered them from the books. As a result of this efficient handling of the assignment, much interest in Christian Science was manifested among the other girls, and one of them expressed the intention of getting Science and Health from our Reading Rooms or from the school library.

The yearly check–up of all libraries has shown a greater desire on the part of the public to borrow authentic books on Christian Science, and the circulation of our books throughout the state has been most gratifying.

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May 1, 1943

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