EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS of Christian Science Committees on Publication

Lectures and Lecture Advertising

Nottinghamshire, England

During the year three lectures have been given in the Albert Hall, Nottingham, one under the auspices of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Nottingham, and two under the auspices of Second Church of Christ, Scientist. Three papers gave a two-column report of the first lecture, two papers a two-thousand-word report of the second lecture, and three gave a two-thousand-word report of the third lecture.

Considering the difficulties and shortage of space, we are indeed grateful to the editors of these papers for their consideration.

France

It has been indeed a joyous occasion for us to have again the visit of a member of the Board of Lectureship.

Two different lectures have been given at one month's interval: one for Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Paris, the other, a joint lecture for the three branch churches in Paris. One of these lectures was also given for First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cannes.

The lectures were widely advertised, not only in the local newspapers but by posters in the streets and in the Metro (subway).

When in Biarritz to deliver a lecture, sponsored by The Mother Church, for the men and women of the United States Military University, the lecturer generously donated a lecture in French for the benefit of the local population. This lecture, having been very extensively advertised by the Christian Science members of the Military University, was attended by many who came from Bayonne, Bordeaux, and other distant localities.

Mexico

During the past year First Church of Christ, Scientist, Mexico City, has held two lectures. Paid advertisements of the lectures were placed in Excelsior, Novedades, La Prensa, Mexico City Post, The Mexico City Herald, This Week in Mexico, The Weekly News Bulletin, and the English page of El Universal.

Cuba

A lecture was delivered in English under the auspices of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Havana. Later a translation was read in Spanish. Notices had been published in three of the most important Spanish-language local newspapers, such as El Mundo, El Pais, and also in the English-language newspaper, The Havana Post. The attendance at each lecture was very satisfactory. The lecture was published in Spanish in its entirety in the newspaper Finanzas.

We know of a young man who got a good job as a result of his attending the lecture. This boy and his mother were facing a bad situation. He said that during the lecture his consciousness was cleared of fear and that shortly after he reached home a telephone call was waiting for him.

Lancashire, England

During the year forty-eight reports of Christian Science lectures were published, and one lecture was reported in full. Now that more newsprint is available we are hoping to see more lectures published in their entirety.

Legislation

Southern California

Approximately four hundred bills were examined carefully by this Committee to see if they would affect the rights of Christian Scientists in any way. Two measures which became law were amended to protect our religious rights. One bill provided for a state survey of all hospitals, rest homes, and the like to determine the need for more medical hospitals. It was amended to exclude from the survey our Benevolent Association Sanatorium in San Francisco, and private institutions that are operated by Christian Scientists for the benefit of those individuals who rely exclusively on prayer for healing.

The other bill passed at the special session provides for unemployment compensation disability benefits. Under the terms of this law, employees who contribute to the state unemployment insurance fund are entitled to receive part of their salary or wages while absent from work on account of illness or injury. As originally worded, it provided for certification by a physician of all claims for benefits. However, when our position was presented to the sponsors, an amendment was inserted which permits Christian Science practitioners to certify for those under treatment by prayer.

Many cities in Southern California have adopted or amended their license tax ordinances during the past year. Some of these ordinances were worded in a way that would have required our practitioners to pay a fee for the privilege of carrying on their work. In each case, however, an amendment of the ordinance or a ruling by the city attorney resulted in an exemption from the license fee.

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