Virginia

The Christian Science Monitor is an effective instrument for conveying the light. In order to give some concept of the high esteem in which the general public holds the Monitor, let me repeat a few of the comments which have reached my office regarding it.

From the librarian of a public and school library: "I want to tell you how much we appreciated the Monitor last year. It proved to be not only enjoyable reading but real reference material for the students." From the editor of a newspaper: "We appreciate the Monitor above all other exchanges." From the president of a large women's college: "We should be delighted to have the Monitor because there is really nothing else quite like it in the United States, and many of us are already acquainted with its excellence." From the director of public relations for a large radio station: "We appreciate so much having the opportunity to read this excellent publication, which is in a class by itself. It is always interesting to observe the frequency with which this paper is quoted in the daily press." From a clergyman: "It is one of the finest newspapers in this country."

The past year brought forth much progress in the field of broadcasting. Christian Science programs were given regularly over stations located in seven of our larger cities, with a weekly broadcast over one of the more powerful stations in Richmond, the capital city.

Station WLVA, Lynchburg, devotes ten minutes each weekday morning to broadcasting what are termed "Devotional Programs." Churches are invited by the Ministerial Union to conduct such programs for a week at a time. The Christian Science church was invited to broadcast for a week, and the invitation was accepted. Since all programs originating in studios are under the supervision of the Committee on Publication, these programs were put on by the Committee.

Station WRVA, Richmond, initiated the plan a few years ago of inviting various churches throughout the state to broadcast their religious services each Sunday morning for a month. This past year First Church of Christ, Scientist, Richmond, was extended such an invitation, and a good deal of fruitage was reported as a result of the broadcasts. This is the first time Christian Science services have been radiocast in Virginia. Time for this purpose cannot be purchased, but is available only by invitation from the station.

The Virginia Legislature was in session during a part of the period covered by this report. Several bills were offered which seemed to affect us to some extent, but none were passed which would in any way tend to make it more difficult to live according to the standards our Leader established, in so far as the legal standpoint is concerned. One particular bill, which might have seriously restricted our activities, was defeated, but only after a hard fight.

The one piece of legislation which was of great significance to Christian Scientists was the appointment of a Commission to investigate the healing art as practiced in Virginia and report back to the next Assembly, with recommendations. The Committee on Publication was in communication with one of the legislators who supported this bill and was assured by him that it is in no way intended to affect our practitioners. However, such bills as may be recommended at that time, if passed, may later be construed to include more than was originally intended. The progress of the Commission will be followed by this Committee, and it may be that the full co-operation of Christian Scientists will be needed when the legislature is next in session.

It should be borne in mind that there is a concerted effort being put forth by the medical fraternity to restrict or prohibit the activities of certain individuals in their ministrations to the sick because these individuals are not graduates of medical schools approved by the fraternity.

There were very few occasions during the past twelve months when what could be termed attacks were made upon Christian Science, or upon its revered Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy.

Two ministers preached sermons in which their congregations were cautioned to beware of the teachings of Christian Science. Both were visited by the Committee, and each granted him a satisfactory interview.

Four items appearing in the press and one radio address tended to misinform the public regarding Christian Science and Mrs. Eddy. Only two of these appeared to bear malice aforethought, and corrective replies were granted in every instance. The radio station apologized for the incident and granted your Committee fifteen minutes for his reply, the amount of time consumed by the one speaking against our religion.

A Methodist periodical, edited by ministers of that faith and published in Virginia, carried a quotation from "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mary Baker Eddy.

The librarian of a theological seminary wrote as follows: "Please accept our thanks for copies of the following books.... We are glad to have a virtually complete set of the literature on Christian Science which is approved by your Committee on Publication."

Several requests were received to address groups of non-Scientists. Two addresses were given: one before a group of young people in an Episcopal church and the other before a group of soldiers.

Your Committee had occasion to write a letter to the Co-ordinator of Civilian Defense in Virginia, in which he assured him of the support of Christian Scientists. The following is an excerpt from his letter in reply: "It is heartening to receive a letter of this type. It is conclusive proof that people of this country are uniformly determined to make every effort to carry this terrible war through to the conclusion."

A book written by the editor of an influential newspaper which is very friendly to our own, was given an excellent review in the Monitor, for which the author expressed to the Committee his appreciation.

The Director of Public Health in one of our large cities, when in conversation with your Committee, inquired if we are "strict" Scientists in Virginia, or whether we believe in material remedies (so called), such, for instance, as inoculations and vaccinations, in certain instances. He was informed that we believe in obeying the laws of the land, but that there is no middle ground in so far as the teachings of Christian Science are concerned.

Worcestershire, England

The Malvern Public Library continues to receive two copies weekly of The Christian Science Monitor, and one copy of the Christian Science Sentinel. The Redditch Free Library also gratefully accepts a copy of the Monitor and one of the Sentinel. The editor of The Redditch Indicator also receives copies of our daily newspaper.

During the year letters of correction on the subject of Christian Science were written and accepted by The Bromsgrove Messenger and The Redditch Indicator.

The correspondence appeared in The Bromsgrove Messenger in November, 1941, and arose from the report of a conference of clergymen held at Tardebigge. While the reference was friendly, it disclosed a lack of understanding of Christian Science, and the editor printed my letter practically in full, and then closed the correspondence.

In June, 1942. a brains trust meeting was held in Redditch in connection with Youth Sunday, and reference was made to Christian Science which showed clearly that it was being confused with faith-healing. The Redditch Indicator printed my correction in full.

In the same month a lecture was given at King's Norton. This lecture was printed in full in the Indicator. From this report quite a considerable correspondence ensued. The paper gave my letters very good publicity and printed all of them in full.

In February an invitation was accepted to address the Christian Fellowship at Malvern. This meeting was held at the Girls' College. About twenty-five persons were present, representing many religious denominations. A Church of England clergyman present seemed impressed with our coupling of sin and sickness together. He agreed it could be done, both being disease.

Several people expressed their gratitude privately afterwards, and a very gracious letter of thanks and appreciation was received from the chairman.