Article February 2, 1946 Issue

Christian Science Committee on Publication for Canton and Hong Kong, China, Reports

A small number of Christian Scientists, including a practitioner, were interned in Stanley Civilian Internment Camp, some twelve miles out of Hong Kong, on January 22, 1942. They were all members of The Mother Church, and found it possible to carry on services as usual. At first services were held in a small room occupied by three of the members, but as the congregation grew this was found inadequate. Finally, after many changes, Central Social Hall was used. The presence of a piano made it possible for the congregation to sing our loved hymns, a copy of the Christian Science Hymnal having been brought to the camp. For the first year Wednesday meetings were held out of doors on the hillside, and it was a cause for great gratitude that never, even during the rainy season, did bad weather prevent the holding of these meetings. A Sunday school was opened the following year, and the students learned to apply their understanding of Science to camp problems.

Notices of the services were posted by the Committee on Publication on the different notice boards in the camp, which served to bring them before the internees.

Notwithstanding the fact that everything taken into the camp had to be carried on the backs of the internees, the Christian Scientists were able to provide sufficient literature to meet the needs of the small early congregations. As the number of those interested grew, along with the desire to study Mrs. Eddy's works, the need was met by the arrival of two unexpected parcels of books and periodicals. These had been purchased at street bookstalls by the few members, Chinese and Third Nationals remaining in Hong Kong, who made this their loving task until the Japanese Administration refused to allow the sending in of printed matter to the camp.

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