Article November 6, 1989 Issue

"If the devil were ... a genius"

The Christian Science Board of Directors

We are glad to report to members and readers of the Sentinel what is proving to be a rather remarkable project for The Mother Church—the completion of a worldwide network of shortwave radio facilities. In place are two stations in the United States—Maine (WCSN) and South Carolina (WSHB)—and one in Saipan (KHBI). What makes the project "remarkable" is not so much the completion of the facilities as the confirmation of how effective shortwave radio is for our missionaries, The Christian Science Monitor and The Herald of Christian Science.

Rumors or assumptions that the fund established in the fall of 1988 to support this activity is no longer open or needed parallel similar rumors eighty-five years ago about an earlier church extension project. The following excerpt from a Sentinel editorial tells the story: "If the devil were really an entity, endowed with genius and inspiration, he could not have invented a more subtle lie with which to ensnare a generous and loyal people.

"As a matter of fact, the building fund is not complete.... The rapidity with which the work will be pushed forward necessitates large payments of money, and it is desirable that the contributions to the building fund keep pace with the disbursements."^{Quoted in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 14.}