Excerpts from Letters Concerning Christian Science Wartime Activities

[From an Authorized Christian Science Worker]

A member of the Women's Royal Naval Service, who was working in a hotel situated on the point of England which is the shortest distance from France, spoke of the protection which she had experienced, and which everyone in the building was aware of, for never had bombardment or bombs touched them at any time.

She related the following instance of protection: During a heavy bombardment she was going down the street to get to her post. As she stood wondering whether or not to proceed to her work, she recalled the statement on page 563 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. "Why should we stand aghast at nothingness?" and she moved on. A moment or so afterwards a shell exploded right where she had been standing, and another shell fell near the spot which she had just passed as she walked into the building unharmed.

[Tribute of Chairman of an Urban Council in Great Britain as reported in the Press]

The Chairman paid tribute to what he termed "a grand organization" which he had been watching for some time, and he felt it to be opportune to express thanks on behalf of the Council, of the town, and of participants in the facilities afforded by the benefactors concerned—the Christian Science people of America.

He wished to express thanks— he hoped on behalf of every thinking man and woman in the area— for the practical Christian kindness of the American people—the Christian Scientists of America, who had sent such vast numbers of extremely good clothes of a varied character—and to the local people who acted as stewards. He had never claimed to be an orthodox religious man, but he had never met a better expression of Christian principles than that exemplified in the work he had been watching and examining for a long time by the Christian Science effort to help people in that district by alleviating want, made by great-hearted people thousands of miles away.

[From a volunteer Christian Science Wartime Worker]

One Saturday evening a naval cadet telephoned for help. It appears that he had done well on straight flying, but when it came to acrobatics he had had trouble with some of the assignments.

When the test covering a particular stage is passed, the men receive what is known as a "check," but if they fail they are given a "down." This cadet had had two "downs," and began to fear that he might not be able to complete his training, and that he would be transferred to some other branch of the service.

It was evident in talking with the young man that the failure had been occasioned by a sense of fear and confusion. He agreed to try to keep thought in close communion with the divine Mind through regular reference to Science and Health. In short, he agreed to do his part in studying Christian Science, even though the demands of naval training seemed so confining.

When the time came to have another test on the assignment on which he had failed twice, it was made with an officer who had never tested him before. When they returned to the ground, the officer asked him whether he had had a great deal of civilian flying. He replied that he had had very little experience before coming into the Navy. The officer then informed him that he had gone through the test better than he had ever seen it done.

When he was leaving to take further training at another base, his first instructor made a significant and interesting remark. It was to the effect that for some time it looked as though this boy would not make the grade, but that there had been a very marked and sudden change in his entire attitude and performance, and from that time on everything had gone remarkably well.

The unusual improvement in the boy's situation was noticed two days after the regular study and application of Christian Science had been started.

[From a Ship's Commanding Officer]

This is to express the sincere thanks of myself and the crew for the cold weather clothing that was given to the ship by your organization. We will think often of the kindness of our unknown friends when the wind begins to bite.

This work is supported by The Mother Church Wartime Fund. Contributions thereto are most welcome and may be handed to the treasurer of any Church of Christ, Scientist, or Christian Science Society for forwarding, or may be sent direct to Roy Garrett Watson, Treasurer of The Mother Church, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

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