Of Special Interest to College Students

A three-day meeting to consider and further the mission of Christian Science organizations at colleges and universities, formed in accordance with Article XXIII, Section 8, of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy, will be held in Boston on August 31, September 1 and 2, 1961.

Similar meetings have been held biennially since 1955, and the fruitage has been very apparent. Approximately a thousand students, faculty, and advisors from Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Jordan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States attended the 1959 gathering held in the original edifice of The Mother Church.

The following procedures have been found helpful during earlier September Meetings. College and university students are invited to submit questions and topics which they wish to consider during the meeting. The three-day gathering will include a general workshop and seminars devoted to subjects of special interest to college students. There will be student papers and presentations. Informal talks will be given by administrative officials of The Mother Church and The Christian Science Publishing Society, and sight-seeing visits will be planned to points of special interest. The 1961 meeting will consider how the activities of Christian Science organizations promote the moral and spiritual education of the individual student; what Christian Science college organizations contribute to the spiritual enlightenment of the academic community and to the growth of the Church of Christ, Scientist; why organizations are vital to the development of world thinking and international understanding. Students will be invited to give consideration to questions dealing with individual conduct and ethics, academic challenges, social problems, career planning, responsibilities of citizenship and leadership, and many other phases of college life.

Travel expenses are borne by the students themselves, although a good many will gratefully receive help from parents, alumni, friends, and local branch churches.

Students who are members of The Mother Church and who are enrolled in a college or university during the academic year of 1960-1961 or who will be enrolled during the academic year 1961-1962 are invited to attend. Also, members of The Mother Church who have faculty or instructor status in a college or university during either of the aforementioned academic years are eligible to be present. Organization advisors who are members of The Mother Church are welcome as observers.

Complete details regarding the 1961 meeting are being forwarded to the college organizations and to Christian Science college organization information committees in branch churches and societies. Inquiries may be addressed to the College Organization Division, Department of Branches and Practitioners, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston 15, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

"The pinnacle of praise"

[Reprinted from the Christian Science Sentinel, September 28, 1935]

Christian Scientists are aware of the By-Law of The Mother Church which is entitled "Testimonials" (Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 24). They have been inspired by its words: '"Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's' (St. Paul). Testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important. More than a mere rehearsal of blessings, it scales the pinnacle of praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ, 'who healeth all thy diseases' (Psalm 103:3)." These memorable words of Mary Baker Eddy, quoting significantly from the Scriptures, have led many a Christian Scientist to rise to his feet to pour forth his gratitude and illustrate the healing works of Christian Science that he has experienced and knows to be true.

Has every prospective speaker at a Wednesday meeting studied the significance of the word "testimony"? If he has, he realizes his obligation—an obligation that might be termed solemn—to tell only facts to which he personally can testify. The word "testify" is defined as to witness; to affirm, to attest, to make a statement to establish some fact, or prove some truth. It is obvious that the speaker cannot testify to the truth and accuracy of something that is to him hearsay. Would he knowingly take the responsibility of testifying to something told him that he has not investigated and found to be true? There are instances when one can rely on the statement of a well-known friend; but one should know his friend's accuracy, and the testifier should not relate an incident that is vague or remote.

Perhaps these considerations are some of the most important to reflect upon. Of course there are several others. The testifier who remembers that strangers to Christian Science may be present at the meeting will conform his remarks to the simple, understandable truth, which is all that is actually necessary for such occasions. Testifiers in Wednesday meetings do not undertake to teach or instruct; they accomplish both these things by the very simplicity, sincerity, and impersonal delivery of their testimonies. The speaker who rids himself of self-consciousness or fear makes his spontaneous message of fact and praise clearly heard and easily assimilated. The truth operates through him, his voice is raised in praise, and gratitude fills his heart that he is taking part in illustrating "the demonstration of Christ, 'who healeth all thy diseases.'"

Contributions

Contributions are most gratefully accepted by The Mother Church Treasurer from members and friends for the following funds:
Promotion and Extension Fund
Television and Radio Fund
General Fund
Relief Fund (For General Relief Purposes)
Fund for Armed Services Activities
Charitable Institutions Fund
(The Christian Science Pleasant View Home
Christian Science Benevolent Association, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Christian Science Benevolent Association on Pacific Coast)

Please make all checks payable to Roy Garrett Watson, Treasurer, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston 15, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

From the Treasurer of The Mother Church

Payments of per capita tax and contributions, also changes of address, should be sent to Roy Garrett Watson, Treasurer, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston 15, Massachusetts, U.S.A.