On the occasion of the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church, which convened at two o'clock on Monday, June 4, an audience, assembled from many lands, filling the edifice of The Mother Church, united in giving thanks to God for innumerable blessings received through the healing ministry of the Christ as revealed by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. There was manifest throughout the vast gathering a deep realization of the true meaning of the Annual Meeting as an occasion for spiritual exaltation and gratitude for a progressive understanding of our Leader's teachings. The reports of the officers of The Mother Church were of exceptional interest. Among the many important facts related was the information that the number of new members uniting with the church during the past year was the largest in the history of the Christian Science movement.

After singing hymn 196, "Shepherd, show me how to go," by Mary Baker Eddy, the following selections were read by the retiring President, Albert F. Gilmore, C. S. B., of Boston:—

Bible: Psalms 133:1; Acts 4:33; Ephesians 4:1-8, 11-13. Science and Health: Page 469;30; 519;11; 202:3; 269:3; 497:13; 340:15.

After the reading, the congregation joined in silent prayer and the audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer. This was followed by the singing of hymn 191, "Our God is Love, unchanging Love," after which the names of the officers for the ensuing year were read by Mr. Gilmore: President, Charles E. Heitman, C.S.B., of New York, N.Y.; Treasurer, Edward L. Ripley, C.S., of Brookline, Mass.; Clerk, George Wendell Adams, C.S. B., of Brookline, Mass.; First Reader, Bliss Knapp, C.S. B., of Brookline, Mass.; Second Reader, Mrs. Gertrude S. J. Farmer, C. S., of Hampton Falls, N. H.

The retiring President, Mr. Gilmore, then spoke as follows:—

Members of The Mother Church:

We are again assembled in Annual Meeting to hear the reports of the officers of our church, and to learn from them and from the field of the fruits of the seed of spiritual Truth implanted by Christian Science deep in human consciousness. It is a fitting time for us to turn in profound gratitude to God for His wonderful goodness to the children of men, and to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for her incomparable gift to mankind, of which every person here assembled is in some degree the direct beneficiary.

As we look abroad upon the world's activities, we are confronted with the fact that the work Christian Science has to do has only just begun. So prone is mankind to hold to its accustomed ways; so resistant, apparently, is mortal mind to the reception of Truth, that the necessity on the part of Christian Scientists is for constant and continuous seeking for a larger understanding, and for a more competent demonstration of divine Love as evil's only destroyer.

We, as Christian Scientists, are peculiarly awake to the causes of the untoward conditions of the world and to their significance; and we are provided through the Bible and our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," with adequate instruction for healing humanity of its manifold ills. Great is the need and urgent is the call. The demand is upon us to move forward with more consecration, with closer unity among ourselves, with ever deeper devotion to the work of spreading abroad the message of the healing Truth, earnestly striving, individually, for a progressive understanding of the Christ.

Mrs. Eddy, in sending a message of congratulation to a branch church for a demonstration completed, as recorded in Miscellany (p. 197), once said, "Comparing such students with those whose words are but the substitutes for works, we learn that the translucent atmosphere of the former must illumine the midnight of the latter, else Christian Science will disappear from among mortals." Our Leader saw very clearly that only by works, by doing the deeds and living the life of our great Exemplar, Jesus of Nazareth, are we promoting true Christian ministry— the healing of mankind. Words are, indeed, no substitute for works.

Mrs. Eddy has revealed the truth about God and man. How is God to become known except through His revelation in the lives of the spiritually-minded? Not by fair words, not by repetition of this dogma or by the recital of that canticle, but by becoming doers of the works, will our duty and obligation be fulfilled. As the beneficiaries of the spiritual healing wrought by the gentle presence of divine Love, upon us falls the obligation to carry forward the work which our great Leader so successfully founded. Let us not be laggard, but ready and instant, in unity and harmony, to lift up the Christ, that all men may behold, wonder, accept, and be healed. To paraphrase the words of James: Let us be doers of the word and not hearers only.

The new President, Mr. Heitman, then delivered the following address: —

We have been told by our beloved Leader that "home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections" (Science and Health, p. 58). In much the same way we have come to think of The Mother Church, with the result that in a certain sense these annual meetings take on the nature of home-coming events. Like a great and growing family, Christian Scientists from all parts of the world gather on these occasions, not only to share their highest concept of Church in a spirit of love and unity, but likewise to rejoice in a realization that, as a result of another year's earnest labor, the Science of Christianity, as set forth in the writings of our Leader, has been more broadly and firmly established in human consciousness.

While Christian Scientists very properly rejoice in this evidence of progress and prosperity, they are, however, not in the least forgetful of the fact that such manifestations are but the "signs following," the outward proofs, so to speak, of an inward vision, a vision which enables us to perceive and, in some degree, demonstrate that the spiritual idea of Church, like the real identity of man, is established now and forever in that state of harmonious consciousness described as heaven. It was, shall I say, nothing less than this true conception of Church, this clear perception of the Christ, to which Jesus referred when, in commending Peter, he declared, "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

The exact meaning of this declaration is revealed by Mrs. Eddy in her definition of Church on page 583 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Here she gives first its spiritual definition, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle;" and then a second definition, in which she states that the office of the church, as a human institution, is to elevate the race, heal the sick, and overcome sin. It will be seen, therefore, that we become members of this church, — at-one with its purpose and activities, — only in the degree that we gain some perception of divine Principle and its spiritual idea, and are enabled through the overcoming of the flesh to reduce this understanding to human apprehension.

For this reason, it behooves the honest and loyal student of Christian Science to be ever alert, lest his thought become confused by certain subtle and unsound teachings on the subject of Church, — church membership and the proper function of church organization. The difference between the teachings to which I refer and that of Mrs. Eddy is nothing less than the difference between ignorance and understanding; the one differs from the other even as that which is material and human differs from that which is spiritual and divine. The effect, if not the precise purpose, of this erroneous teaching is to foster distrust, discord, and dissension. It counsels segregation and argues for disunity and disintegration. It would, if it were possible, obstruct the orderly unfoldment of spiritual Truth in human consciousness. It would set aside and nullify the established rules of our church government and render inoperative those useful activities of Church so definitely outlined by our Leader. All this, and more, would it do; and, strangely enough, it would do it in the name of freedom! Thus it would interpret a divine heritage as a license to indulge self; and in so doing prevent one from coming into that diviner sense of freedom which consists in humbly doing that which is nearest right, and not that which may be prompted by human ambition and a love of personal power.

It was Ruskin, you will remember, who said the first test of a truly great man is his humility; and then by way of explanation added, "I do not mean by humility, doubt of his power or hesitation in speaking of his opinions but a right understanding of the relation between what he can do and say and the rest of the world's sayings and doings." We come to see, therefore, that humility of action in human affairs consists in a ready willingness to sacrifice selfishness, pride, and personal opinion in the interest of unity and public welfare. It is only through the broad and practical operation of such humility in human consciousness that we can ever hope to establish that simple but lofty concept of the brotherhood of man exemplified in Jesus — a brotherhood which rests upon and is governed by that spiritual sense of love and obedience so well defined in the two commandments on which, according to the Master, "hang all the law and the prophets." That church which most effectively promotes this higher idealism of brotherhood is unquestionably most nearly fulfilling its mission as an organized expression of Christianity.

In this and no other way can the Church successfully aid in displacing with righteous reforms the old modes of government founded on nothing more stable and secure than human will and physical force. It is indeed only by such means that the Church will be able to lessen personal strife, disarm national prejudice, and weave into our international friendships those binding qualities of love, justice, and equity which alone make for lasting peace. Thus do we see that while it is our privilege to know that the spiritual idea of Church, unfolding the fullness of Christ, is an imperishable entity in divine Mind, independent of all finite organization and material structure, yet it is none the less our duty to demonstrate that the human expression of church organization, when governed even by a limited understanding of the Christ, can serve to purify consciousness and bind human society into a system of government that more nearly measures up to the ideals of Jesus, and is more closely patterned after the primitive Christian Church, so aptly described as a democracy in miniature.

It is plain that only as the Word of God is made practical among men, through the understanding and demonstration of scientific Christianity, will the divine Principle of true democracy become operative in human consciousness and God's government be established on earth as in heaven. As Christian Scientists we have our parts to play in this forward movement, and as citizens and voters in our respective lands we should play our parts in such practical fashion that the world may come to realize that it is neither church nor religion, but a false sense of both, which has seemingly failed to establish "on earth peace, good will toward men."

In so doing we shall show by example that Church is but our conscious understanding of God and His Christ, and that the church will cease to be imperfect, limited, and material only as we cease to think of it in terms of imperfection, limitation, and matter. May I ask, then, Why should we discard these human instruments and organizations and regard the experiences, victories, and seeming defeats incident to the working out of our earthly problems, as stumblingblocks in the way of progress? Should we not rather renew and improve our concepts of organization and accept such experiences as stepping-stones over which we may advance to a higher understanding of God and His laws, an understanding which will enable us to share with our Leader her vision of Church and its rules of government, as recorded in the Manual of The Mother Church? We shall thus prove that the real Church, like spiritual creation, is the expression of divine thinking; and we shall further prove that the Christian Science movement is to-day directed not only by the written word of its Founder, but also by that divine inspiration, under the guidance of which she outlined in such practical detail the activities essential to its unity, progress, and protection.

While it is true that, through her clear vision, Mrs. Eddy perceived and prophesied of the time to come when the material organization would be outgrown, let me here say, however, "Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, . . . neither the Son, but the Father." Of one thing, my friends, we may be sure, — that exalted sense of the divine law of freedom will never come through criticism and condemnation of our brother. Love alone fulfills this law. Under its operation, human organization is neither destroyed, but improved and renewed, until the need for it disappears in the unfoldment of a better concept of spiritual unity. When this time comes, healing will be done without argument and spiritual man will be consciously seen where the mortal now seems to stand. During this period of progression, let us encourage hope and confirm expectation by doing more and better healing. Let us be more grateful to God, more obedient to the commands of our Master, and more loyal to the teachings of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Let us actively and lovingly cooperate with those who are charged, under the Manual, to safeguard its interests and carry forward its work; and let us understand that man, as known by divine Mind, is ever in his right place, and when humanly considered that place is where he is expressing the divine purpose. In realizing the truth in support of our fellow-workers, let us know that we are not supporting persons or serving personal interests; but rather let us know that we are putting both ourselves and our brothers in the way of receiving more directly the support of divine Principle. Finally, my friends, let us "rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good," and know that "God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man" (Science and Health, p. 393).

Treasurer's Report for Year Ending May 31, 1923

THE MOTHER CHURCH

The balance in the General Fund on May 31, 1922, was $146,636.26; expenditures during the year were $586,248.29, leaving a balance on hand May 31, 1923, of $45,792.06. Expenditures from the General Fund included the sum of $52,473.29 for legal defense of The Mother Church and for rehabilitation of The Christian Science Publishing Society.

The balance on hand May 31, 1922, in Special Funds of The Mother Church was $246,173.65; expenditures during the year were $179,228.05, leaving a balance on hand May 31, 1923, of $176,231.67. Expenditures included appropriations of $38,900.88 for War Relief in Germany and other European countries, $32,710.80 for relief in the Near East, and $29,829.29 for relief of ex-service men.

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION

The balance in the Current Fund on May 31, 1922, was $175,789.40; expenditures during the year were $472,012.24, leaving a balance on hand May 31, 1923, of $132,089.26. Expenditures included the amount of $162,519.32 for the kitchen and dining room extension and other permanent improvements, and a substantial sum for part-paying and nonpaying guests.

AUDITOR'S REPORT

Boston, Massachusetts, June 2, 1923. The First Church of Christ, Scientist,

in Boston, Massachusetts.

We certify that we have audited the cash and bonds reported by the Treasurer of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and of The Christian Science Benevolent Association as being on hand at the close of business May 31, 1923, and find them to be as stated.

(Signed) Harvey S. Chase & Co., Certified Public Accountants.

As in previous years, and except for current bills paid in usual course, The Mother Church and The Christian Science Benevolent Association have no indebtedness.

Respectfully submitted,
Edward L. Ripley, Treasurer.

Report of the Clerk of The Mother Church

The membership of The Mother Church, which is larger to-day than it has ever been, and the general prosperity of our Cause recall our Leader's words which we all love, "His arm encircles me, and mine, and all" (Poems, p. 4). You will be glad to learn that this year's admission to membership was the largest on record, nearly five hundred more applicants having been admitted than at any time in the history of our movement. As evidence of obedience to the commands of the great Way-shower, Christ Jesus, it is interesting to note that to a greater degree than ever before, and wholly unsolicited, letters telling of the healing and redemptive power of Christian Science have accompanied hundreds of applications for membership, bearing testimony again and again to our Leader's words (Poems, p. 75), —

The healing activities, perhaps more than all else, register the soundness of the heart of our great Cause; for if the qualities which heal, the Christ-qualities, be in consciousness, childlikeness is present; and no opportunity remains for pride and arrogance to confuse and to disrupt. The Manual of The Mother Church states in Section 7 of Article XXX, "Healing the sick and the sinner with Truth demonstrates what we affirm of Christian Science, and nothing can substitute this demonstration."

An interesting and significant indication of awakening thought is noted in the fact that scores of men and women from all parts of the world, who have been interested in Christian Science from twenty to thirty years, but who have not seen the importance of church membership, are now reaching out to the loving, protecting arm of The Mother Church for comfort and spiritual support, and bearing testimony to the need for the orderly, systematic methods which church organization affords.

The Clerk appreciates the greater care shown in filling out applications for membership and forwarding them in good season, in cooperation with the request of a year ago from this platform and with the more recent reminder from the Board of Directors in the Sentinel of March 31, 1923. It seems necessary, however, again to call the attention of the field to the need of even more care in having applications "correctly prepared," as provided in the Manual of The Mother Church, Article VI, Section 3, as the percentage of applications incorrectly made out is still surprisingly large.

It is very gratifying to note that during the past year, there have continued to be abundant evidences of spiritual growth on the part of prospective members, and a consequently increasing fitness for membership. The desire and purpose to be obedient to the rules and By-laws of The Mother Church are indications of clear discernment of the duties and responsibilities which devolve upon all, as members of this church. Let us ponder Mrs. Eddy's words, "May divine Love so permeate the affections of all those who have named the name of Christ in its fullest sense, that no counteracting influence can hinder their growth or taint their examples" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 223).

Department of Branches and Practitioners

During the past year seventy-nine Christian Science societies, one university society, and sixteen new churches have been recognized as branches of The Mother Church. Forty-nine Christian Science societies have changed their titles from society to church. The total number of recognized branches of The Mother Church at the present time is 2051, of which twenty-three are college and university organizations.

We are glad to report that among more distant countries, Latvia now has a recognized branch of The Mother Church at Riga; and Rhodesia, at Bulawayo. There is also a newly recognized organization at Tientsin, China; and a second church has been formed in Sydney, Australia, as the result of overflow from First Church of that city.

Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy

In carrying out the wishes of our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who established a Trust Fund "for the purpose of more effectually promoting and extending the religion of Christian Science as taught by" her, the Trustees under her will have used $167,171.87 of the income during the year ending May 31, 1923, as follows: —

$26,078.78 was contributed to 750 branch churches and societies whose reports for the year ending October 31, 1922, indicated that they were entitled to pro rata assistance in the free distribution of Christian Science literature.

$101,101.78 was expended for the purpose of assisting forty-one branch churches and societies in erecting or purchasing and remodeling church buildings.

$8700.00 was paid to eighty-seven branch organizations as assistance in giving first lectures.

$1900.00 was given to nineteen Christian Science organizations at universities and colleges to aid them in paying for annual lectures.

$21,713.21 was used in assisting branch churches and societies in distant fields to defray the expenses of lectures, thus equalizing these expenses in all parts of the world.

$7678.10 was spent for textbooks and other literature used in the establishment and maintenance of lending libraries in connection with Christian Science churches and societies.

In addition to the foregoing, 322 United States embassies and consulates throughout the world have been receiving The Christian Science Monitor.

Literature Distribution Committee

The Literature Distribution Committee of The Mother Church is grateful to report an increasing respect for our periodicals as authorized Christian Science literature. Courteous and helpful cooperation is frequently extended to our workers; and this cooperation is the more appreciated because entirely unsolicited.

During the past year, aside from literature distributed locally, including that to shipping and through boxes or racks cared for by our workers, over fifty thousand pieces went to churches and societies, in Germany and elsewhere.

We are grateful for the opportunities which have come to us to share our surplus literature with committees and with individuals both at home and abroad, where these periodicals, wisely distributed, are sure to bless and to heal. The earnest desire of the committee is to prove, with "signs following," that its human footsteps are being taken as the result of an intelligent, fearless, and wise application of our Leader's teachings.

Board of Lectureship

During the past year the Board of Lectureship contained its great work of spreading the teachings of Christian Science. The lectures were well attended; and the power of the spoken word was manifested in the healings and spiritual illuminations concerning which grateful testimony is frequently given by the recipients. On page 339 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy says of the Board of Lectureship, "The purpose of its members is to subserve the interest of mankind, and to cement the bonds of Christian brotherhood, whose every link leads upward in the chain of being."

Since our last annual report, 3017 lectures have been delivered, an increase of 91 over last year. The approximate attendance at these lectures was 2,235,231, an increase of 14,067. Lectures were delivered in the United States and Canada; in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Holland, and Sweden; in South Africa; in Australia and New Zealand; in the Philippines, China, Japan, and Hawaii; in Alaska, the Canal Zone, and Mexico; in Barbados and Bermuda; and for the first time in the Isle of Man, in Cuba, in Jamaica, and in Porto Rico.

The plan put into operation in July, 1921, that the Board of Lectureship, as a department of The Mother Church, should receive calls for lectures in North America and arrange details of the lectures, was continued during the past year with a modification calling for a sectioning of this country and Canada. During the second year of this plan, the department arranged 2764 lectures for 1465 churches and societies in North America. The preferences of the churches in the assignment of lectures have been carefully complied with whenever practicable. As a result, ninety-seven per cent of the lectures delivered during this lecture year have been by those lectures originally requested by the churches.

The Board of Lectureship thanks the field most heartily for the spirit of cooperation shown by the churches and societies in their relationship with this Board. A generous spirit of fellowship has been manifested in the working out of the details of lectures; and the fact has been generally recognized that the needs of each church can be supplied in harmony with the requirements of other churches.

Committee on Publication

During the past year, Christian Scientists have made good progress in their relations with the public. Our committees have had occasions to observe this advancement in their contact with the people who are responsible for the contents of public print, and in their touch with those who make or administer laws affecting human freedom. We have also noticed the same betterment in our relations with medical organizations and with the more liberal religious sects.

Christian Science is becoming better known; it is receiving more general recognition. So is Mrs. Eddy, as its Discoverer and Founder. So are her followers, as adherents of a practical and truly spiritual religion. For this advancement we have an exceptional reason to be grateful, in that it has occurred in spite of many seeming difficulties. Happily, instead of undergoing "rapid collective disintegration," to quote words which have been circulated, our church never was so firmly grounded and fortified against dangers from within or without, as it is to-day.

The following are among the more noteworthy signs of the times observed by Committees on Publication. Two denominations, the Episcopal and the Jewish, have taken steps toward instituting the spiritual healing of disease as part of their religious work.

The publisher of the "Cambridge History of Modern Literature" caused part of it to be rewritten by another author after it had been printed, in order to make a volume of this work conform to a proper standard of decency and fairness in its references to Mrs. Eddy as the author of our textbook.

In Illinois and in Ontario, elaborate preparations by medical organizations to restrict the practice of Christian Science met with no response from the lawmakers of those localities. The provision finally enacted in Ontario, as part of an act to regulate the practice of medicine, may be considered a model of its kind. It is worded as follows: "This act shall not apply to persons treating human ailments by prayer or spiritual means as an enjoyment or exercise of religious freedom."

In Florida, where a court had construed a penal law of that state as requiring parents to furnish medical attention for their children, not allowing them to choose other remedial care, the legislature promptly remedied this injustice by striking the word "medical" from the statute.

In connection with the Ontario legislation just mentioned, Premier Drury spoke of the widespread dependence on methods of healing other than that of orthodox physicians, and added: "The sanctity of the home demands that the head of a family be at liberty to summon whatever attendance he regards as necessary for members of his family who may be ill."

Among the appreciations of our Leader published during the past year, the following are quoted as being particularly well written. A columnist in the Los Angeles Express referred to Mrs. Eddy as having "turned the minds of millions from searching for evil to the finding of good."

The editor of the San Diego Herald spoke of her as "the one woman who has given new direction to the thought of mankind." He also described her as "one of the greatest religious teachers the world has ever known."

Speaking of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," a writer in the New York Evening World said, "In many respects Mrs. Eddy's book, when taken in connection with the times in which it was written and the results which followed its publication, is the most remarkable book to be found in the histories of the world. And the influence of this astonishing book seems to be growing."

The Christian Science Benevolent Association

Since the fundamental purpose of our Christian Science Sanatorium is to provide a place where individuals can be properly cared for while under Christian Science treatment, as well as an environment where others may work out their own problems, the first important information that should be recorded is that during the past year excellent healing has been accomplished at the Sanatorium and in not a few instances, healings that would ordinarily be accounted as truly wonderful. The number of guests provided for has been far larger than for any previous similar period; and at all times accommodations at the Sanatorium are in full demand.

It will be of interest to contributors to the Benevolence Fund to learn that for the year 1922 the sum of $54,923.29 was expended, under the supervision of the Trustees, to assist in paying the expenses of worthy persons who could not otherwise have shared in the benefits of the institution.

New construction undertaken during the past year includes a dining room on a level with the main floor and of sufficient size to seat all guests of the Sanatorium at one time. This new construction work, which is nearing completion, has doubled the capacity of the kitchen and increased the storage space. Necessary improvements to the property, such as additional walks, roadways, and grading are also under way. Apart from the expenditures for new construction and equipment, and the amount used for charitable assistance as previously stated, the Sanatorium has been financially self-sustaining. The completion of present and prospective construction work and the ability to render a larger rather than a lesser amount of charitable assistance, make needful the continued financial support of the Benevolence Fund by the field.

It can be truly said that the Christian Science practitioners who have been called upon by guests, as well as the nurses and other workers at the Sanatorium, are cooperatively striving so to follow the teachings of our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, as to fulfill the Master's command to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead."

The Christian Science Publishing Society

Christian Scientists will be glad to hear of the progress made during the past sixteen months in the affairs of the Publishing House. The condition of the business at the time the present management took it over was far from satisfactory. Not only were the finances at a very low ebb, but many obligations previously incurred remained to be met.

One of the obligations assumed by the present Trustees was the fulfillment of all subscriptions to the periodicals for which the subscription price had previously been received. Those who canceled subscriptions were not paid back the balance due them, leaving subscriptions to the amount of $35,131.83 to be made good by the present management without reimbursement. Of these credits nearly $12,000.00, due branch churches and societies for canceled subscriptions, have been donated by them to the reconstruction of the Publishing Society, thereby leaving a balance of $23,523.91 in unfulfilled subscriptions which have been made good from earnings since February 1, 1922.

The same condition also obtained relative to the advertising in the Journal. Unfulfilled contracts for cards of churches and practitioners which were canceled in 1920 amounted to $17,911.66. This advertising had been paid for; but when the cards were withdrawn the balance due was not refunded. The advertisers have been reimbursed to the foregoing amount, with the exception of $434.74 contributed toward the cost of rehabilitation. Beginning with the April, 1923, issue of the Journal, the Publishing Society received for the first time since the restoration of the periodicals the normal income from its advertising pages, as that issue began the new volume with the renewal of cards paid for at the regular rate. In the January, 1922, Journal, 1808 practitioners, 15 nurses, and 375 churches and societies were advertised. The May, 1923, issue of Journal contains the advertisements of 6666 practitioners, 104 nurses, and 2003 churches and societies.

The Publishing House, early in 1922, greatly needed immediate repairs and renovating, which have been completed at a considerable cost. One drawback to rapid production was inadequate and obsolete equipment, which had been deteriorating for several years. In the brief period which has elapsed since February 1, 1922, over $117,000.00 has been required to replace and to supply necessary mechanical equipment. In addition to this contracts have been signed for three new presses to replace the original presses, which have been in service since 1908, and other machinery, the whole to cost an additional $160,000.00, requisite to keep the plant at a proper degree of efficiency. Payment for these presses must be made this fiscal year, and they will all be in full operation early in 1924. They will be capable of twenty per cent increase of delivery of papers an hour compared with the old presses.

In addition to the foregoing, there has been paid to the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy the portion due them of excess profits made on the sale of the works of Mrs. Eddy previous to the appointment of the present management. The privately owned plant which had for many years bound the leather-covered editions of our Leader's writings was purchased on May 21, 1920, by the former Trustees. The work was conducted in poorly lighted and cramped quarters, in three different places, thereby adding materially to the cost of production. Steps were immediately taken by the new Trustees to consolidate and install this work in a modern, well-lighted building near the Publishing House, with new machinery and modern equipment, thus providing a clean, up-to-date, and proper place for binding our Leader's works. This bindery has been taken over by the Trustees under the Will. The contract made in August, 1918, with the Trustees under the Will was canceled in June, 1922. On November 1, 1922, the entire control of the bindery, as well as the publication and sale of our Leader's writings, was again assumed by the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy.

Stock on hand in the warehouse on February 1, 1922, included quantities of various kinds of paper purchased through the war period to protect against shortage, but rapidly deteriorating in quality. Practically all of this stock has been used or sold. At that time no contract with any paper mill was in existence. It was, therefore, necessary to purchase newsprint on the open market in order to insure having stock on hand sufficient for daily needs. Advantageous contracts were soon made, however, and a supply of newsprint to last about six weeks is being maintained at all times.

The recovery of our daily paper from its small circulation, approximately 18,000 on January 30, 1922, to its present circulation of nearly 90,000 in fifteen months, is a notable record in the history of newspapers. Even this circulation is far from satisfactory, and does not enable the newspaper to meet expenses, although the Trustees are thankful for and deeply appreciate the response of the field.

A corresponding increase of circulation is shown with The Christian Science Journal, the Sentinel, and the Heralds. The Journal, the Sentinel, and the Quarterly are at present earning substantial sums above the cost of their publication; but these earnings have been absorbed mainly by the heavy expenses of the Monitor; so that up to the present time the Publishing Society has been unable to pay any income over to The Mother Church. The following table, showing the increase in circulation of the various periodicals from January 28, 1922, to April 28, 1923, will be of interest:—

The Christian Science Journal increased 337 per cent. Christian Science Sentinel increased 243 per cent. Der Herold der Christian Science increased 369 per cent. Le Heraut de Christian Science increased 197 per cent. The Christian Science Monitor increased 343 per cent.

The regaining of advertising for The Christian Science Monitor has been difficult problem. Most of the important national advertisers of the country had withdrawn their business by reason of the litigation. Steadily, little by little, recovery has been made, until now there is a demand for its columns of classified advertising, and an increasing demand for advertising of national and international importance. When we can get its subscription list to a daily average of 100,000 or more, national advertising will return to us in larger volume.

In February, 1922, there were approximately 1750 advertisers in The Christian Science Monitor; at the present time there are over 5400. At that time 300 news agents were carrying the Monitor; whereas now our daily newspaper is carried by over 845 news dealers.

The French Quarterly was added to the list of publications last July. Der Herold der Christian Science has now its German text printed in German type, thereby pleasing many readers not accustomed to the Roman alphabet. The church and practitioner cards in the Journal have been set in longer lines, resulting in a saving of several pages, thereby made available for reading matter.

On April 23, 1923, there were 780 persons on the payroll of the Publishing Society. On January 30, 1922, there were on the payroll 459 employees, including those employed at the bindery which has now been taken over by the Trustees under the Will. This number represented the entire staff of The Christian Science Publishing Society, including its branch offices in the United States and abroad. Within four months after the present Trustees were appointed on January 28, 1922, 144 of this number either had resigned, were replaced by others, or were retired for various reasons. The present Trustees found, much to their surprise, that heads of departments and others on leaving at the time of the change of management claimed to be under contract and, consequently, demanded pay for what they termed "balance of contract," and in many cases made extravagant requisitions for traveling and moving expenses. The settlements cost the Publishing Society a large amount of money. This added greatly to the many problems which the newly appointed Trustees were called upon to meet. They are happy to report, however, that these claims have all been cared for; and the business operations are now in a normal state. They have tried to conduct the business of the Publishing Society on a purely Christian basis; and on this basis alone have our workers been led to the present harmonious condition.

The Trustees of Publishing Society wish to thank every worker throughout the field who is giving loyal and faithful support to the periodicals, including our daily newspaper, which our beloved Leader provided as agencies for carrying to the world her healing message.

The Christian Science Monitor is far from paying its own way, and is being carried by profits made from the other periodicals; hence, the support of all Christian Scientists is greatly needed, as the circulation of the Monitor should be increased. Let the work, then, go forward. Let the circulation be more widely extended, that the healing gospel may reach and influence the largest possible number.

The Sunday School

The pupils and teachers in the Sunday school of The Mother Church are rejoicing in the opportunity, which our Leader has made possible for them, to learn and to demonstrate together the healing, ever present Christ. For them the Sunday school is indeed a Sunday home, where the Mother-love to God is feeding, teaching, inspiring, blessing.

The teachers recognize that no activity demands greater humility, childlikeness, consecration, and receptivity to good; for there is no work more important than the true preparation of our children for the demonstration of Christian Science.

Has not our Leader called Christian Scientists to realize the sacredness of Sunday school work in her words (Pulpit and Press, p. 9), "Ah, children, you are the bulwarks of freedom, the cement of society, the hope of our race!"

War Relief Fund

In May, 1921, a special Committee for the Relief of Ex-service Men was appointed by the Directors to expend a certain portion of the balance of the War Relief Fund. Christian Scientists and non-Christian Scientists, all exservice men, were assisted by the Committee with needed clothing and funds, but more especially with educational training. Each application was carefully scrutinized, and the endorsement of a local branch church or of competent Christian Scientists was required as convincing evidence that the applicant was making an earnest effort and would profit by the help and training. The work extended to September 1, 1922, and a total amount of $63,560.50 was expended in this work, part of which is being paid out in regular installments extending to the end of this school year.

Applications from thirty-six states and from six provinces in Canada were assisted, to the number of 317, among whom were those temporarily disabled, those out of employment or otherwise in distress. Comforts and hospital equipment, for the recreation of men not yet able to return to their homes, were supplied in some instances. Men helped to educate themselves represented thirty-two different vocations. Some men have returned to the fund portions of the help they were granted when they found their needs otherwise supplied, or when they obtained remunerative employment. Many expressions of gratitude for the help given have been received from the men, from their families, friends, and instructors.

The War Relief Fund has maintained a welfare worker at Asheville, North Carolina, where, until recently, the largest number of ex-service men in government hospitals were assembled, and where the local Christian Scientists were not able to supply the demand for Christian Science help. This worker visits the hospitals regularly. He has gained the confidence and the cooperation of the authorities; and many of the men, seeing others benefit from Christian Science, have appealed to the worker for help, and have been enabled to return to their homes in the confidence that Christian Science is a practical religion. Men who have been pronounced incurable have been healed, and have accepted the truth. It is contemplated that this work, which has been carried on since August, 1921, will go forward as long as the balance remaining in the fund permits and present favorable conditions obtain.

The War Relief Fund has continued to help to a limited extent in some individual cases of need in various countries, and it has to a large extent furnished the "bread of life" to the hungry in Germany and other European countries, through sending textbooks of Christian Science and other authorized literature at a cost in the currencies of these countries which could be paid by the purchasers. Now the balance in the fund is depleted to such an extent that the Directors recently inserted in the Sentinel a note which opens the way for contributions to a new fund for the purpose of supplying literature and other help.

Relief Work in the Near East

In October, 1922, The Mother Church was informed that the Christian Science Chaplain, Joel H. Benson of the United States Navy, had been ordered with his ship to Constantinople, and the Directors seized the opportunity to do direct relief work among the refugees there through him. Contributions came from branch churches and from individuals for the purpose, and much is being accomplished. Since January 28, 1923, Chaplain Benson and other Christian Scientists in the vicinity have come together to hold services, which are being attended by seven different nationalities,—American, English, Russian, Greek, French, Levantine, Turkish; and services are read in the English and French languages, Sunday school classes being conducted in English, French, Greek, and Turkish. Recently the Greek patriarch sent a cablegram to the Directors asking to have the Government allow Chaplain Benson to remain longer; and he made a like appeal to the President at Washington. The matter was taken up with the Secretary of the Navy; and Chaplain Benson was allowed to continue his meritorious work. Thirty thousand dollars has already been expended in this way for clothing, food, bedding, and other equipment, and for helping refugees to resume work and to settle in countries more favorable to them.

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors would to-day express their heartfelt appreciation of the uniform support which is being extended to them by the field in their continued endeavors to uphold and defend the form of church government established by our Leader and codified by her in our Church Manual. They would congratulate the field upon the generally prosperous condition of our churches and societies, which are growing in number, in membership, in good works, and in the understanding of the practical righteousness of our beloved religion.

The Directors would urge that still greater effort be made during the present year to establish in consciousness more of the unselfed love of the Master, whereby man's unity with God may be unceasingly demonstrated, and love among the brethren may be, not only a desired objective, but an established fact. They would remind all Christian Scientists that duty and opportunity are before us to-day, as perhaps never before, to heal the sick quickly and thoroughly, to comfort the sorrowing lovingly and compassionately, and through the universality of Love to bring to the sinner new and higher aspirations and ideals, whereby he may turn from all evil. Thus may be proved the inspiring truth of our Leader's words on page 496 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "It is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being."

Reports from the Field

Among the many reports from the field read by Chancellor L. Jenks, C. S., of Evanston, Illinois, and W. Stuart Booth, C. S.B., of Denver, Colorado, were the following: —

First Church of Christ, Scientist, London, England.—On November 30, 1922, this church inaugurated the holding of its annual Thanksgiving . service on American Thanksgiving Day, and at the close of the year it was decided that the solo should henceforth be included in the order of Sunday services.

The Sunday school has greatly prospered during 1922. Owing to the forming of another branch church early in the year, a large number of pupils were removed, but toward the end of the year the average attendance was found to be almost the same as before the new church was started. Visitors come from all parts of the world,—America, New Zealand, South Africa, the Argentine, and the Continent.—and many are the expressions of gratitude and the records of healing, in connection with this branch of the work.

The increasing recognition of the city's need for another Reading Room, the present one, in which First and Second Churches unite, being often so crowded at the luncheon hour that it can hardly accommodate those who come there to read and study, decided this church, in the autumn of 1922, to approach Second Church and propose a joint appeal to other London and Greater London churches for cooperation in the establishing of further city Reading Rooms. This invitation was issued by First and Second Churches before the close of the year; and as a large number of churches have expressed their willingness to cooperate in this activity, it is expected that another Reading Room will shortly be established in the city.

In the autumn of 1922, this church approved of a new scheme of distribution work being tried for six months, whereby each district is worked for a given period, and then the distributors withdraw temporarily, it being thought that in the meanwhile it might be possible to place the Monitor on the bookstalls to gauge whether those who had received the paper free were sufficiently interested to buy it for themselves. While this plan is still only on trial, it is felt that it is working satisfactorily. In certain areas the Monitor is now being sold on the bookstalls, and a committee of the church is engaged in organizing this branch of the work.

In the autumn of 1922, the District Manager of Committees on Publication, having been approached by several parents of sons at one of the biggest public schools in this country, who were unable owing to the school regulations to attend the Sunday school of the nearest branch church, wrote to The Christian Science Board of Directors, asking them if anything could be done in the matter. In their reply, the Directors stated that it seemed to them a Christian Science Sunday School might be conducted by a branch church, though some distance away, where the pupils were not free to attend the church. The work was therefore undertaken by this branch church. Great courtesy and kindness were shown by the school authorities, and there was complete cooperation on the part of the parents. Much appreciation has been expressed by the boys for this opportunity of receiving regular Sunday school teaching during the school term.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Birmingham, England. The members wish to convey an expression of love and loyalty.

This branch of the vine is happily conscious of encouraging progress made in the Cause for which we all stand, rejoicing that it is taking part in the collective demonstration of Truth, which is manifest throughout the world, by the Christian Science movement.

The opportunity of this occasion is also taken to reaffirm our allegiance to the Church Manual and our gratitude for all that The Mother Church stands for.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Glasgow, Scotland. — On March 12, 1923, the members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Glasgow, in annual meeting assembled, unanimously resolved to send greetings to the forthcoming Annual Meeting of The Mother Church. They have great pleasure in reporting marked progress in the Glasgow field during the past year.

They are grateful to state that practically all the different evidences of progress are traceable to the unity among the members and the good healing work done in the field. Some of these healings took place at or following the lectures.

In conclusion, they would express their deep gratitude for the "goodness and mercy" which have guided this branch church since its organization, and for the protection which has always been available in the By-laws of the Church Manual, in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and in the other writings of our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. — We desire to add our testimony of gratitude and loyalty to the large accumulation of such expressions doubtless received upon the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the members of The Mother Church.

We are glad to see the ever widening influence of the truth, as "o'er each continent and island" it strikes at the foundation of error.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cape Town, South Africa. — The following resolution was unanimously adopted at a special meeting of church members held on the twentyfifth instant: "That we, the members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cape Town, South Africa, desire, on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church, to tender our deep expressions of loyalty and loving gratitude for the many blessings enjoyed during the past year. Those of us in distant lands feel especially grateful for the foresight and wisdom of our Leader in providing the means to convey the truth to us through the Board of Lectureship and in giving such substantial financial assistance towards the erection of our church buildings."

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Florence, Italy. — The members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Florence, Italy, wish to express gratitude through their Board of Directors, on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, for all the blessings which have come to them during the first year of their existence as a church.

We send assurances of our fullest and most loyal cooperation in the administration of The Mother Church, both for the present and in the future.

Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Borough of Manhattan, City of New York. — It is with gratitude for continued blessings that the following report is submitted of the activities of Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Borough of Manhattan, City of New York.

The distribution of literature is cared for by a large committee, and great care is taken that the work is wisely done, that the seed may not fall upon stony ground. The work of the Tombs Prison is under the supervision of this committee. Services are held each Sunday, and are well attended. The workers find much prejudice has been eliminated, as shown by the kindly attitude of the warden and keepers. The church continues its support of the State Prison Committee. It is also actively engaged in the Joint Literature Distribution Committee and the Joint Circulation Committee, both of which are working to bring out increased interest in and circulation of the periodicals.

Ten lectures were given, and were attended by large numbers.

It has been the privilege of Second Church to contribute each month towards a building fund established to aid Christian Science churches in Greater New York in expenses incident to church building.

Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, San Francisco, California, sends greetings to the members of The Mother Church in Annual Meeting convened, June 4, 1923.

It is the pleasure of this church to report splendid progress in all branches of activity authorized by our Church Manual. Plans have been completed, and bids are being received at this time, for the erection of a church edifice to seat approximately fifteen hundred people. This church will be located in the downtown section of San Francisco, to meet conveniently the needs of the people who dwell in hotels and apartment houses, as well as the strangers visiting the city. In addition to this church two other church edifices are in process of construction.

Our gratitude goes out to the splendid men and women of our Lecture Board, who are so fearlessly and lovingly upholding the Cause of righteousness and liberty, and publicly proclaiming the truths of Christian Science and of the life and works of our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy.

We are also mindful of the valuable services rendered by those in the Publishing House, who are making our publications of inestimable benefit in the healing of world problems, as well as being a support and satisfaction to all Christian Scientists.

Second, Church of Christ, Scientist, Minneapolis, Minnesota.—As the word "healing" is cut into the corner stone of our church structure, so we have striven always to make the Christ-healing the corner stone of all our church life and work; and the gratitude for this healing service has been evidenced in an overflowing abundance, which has met all of our own needs and enabled us to share in those special activities which arise from time to time in the movement. We know that if we do our part, if we bring in the tithes of right service, God, in fulfillment of His ancient promise, "will pour" us "out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

A forward step is the broadcasting of our Sunday service. This was begun on the evening of February 18. We had felt from the inception of the plan that this offered a wonderful opportunity for spreading the truth of Christian Science; but each week proves that we have only commenced to realize what may come from thus sending the spoken word of Truth out into the air to find lodgment in hundreds, in thousands, of hungry hearts, for from North, South, East, and West come letters of gratitude. They come from high up in the Rockies, from the snowbound fishing resorts on the Great Lakes, from the tiny village down where it is always summer, from many scattered farms, from the cities and towns; and everywhere it seems that not only the Scientists listen so gratefully, but all these have friends who are eager to hear a Christian Science service. And here in our own city practically every day we have expressions of appreciation from people who would never have thought of attending a church service. Some beautiful cases of healing have been reported; and little children are being placed in Christian Science Sunday Schools because their parents have heard the service over the radio.

The station through which our service is broadcast, WLAG,—"The Call of the North,"—already one of the most powerful in the country, is planning improvements which, it is expected, will enable it shortly to reach Honolulu and across the Atlantic.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Phoenix, Arizona, extends joyous greetings to The Mother Church in Annual Meeting assembled.

We are grateful for The Mother Church and all of its activities as provided for by our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, and particularly for the Church Manual, which has been so loyally upheld and defended.

Remarks of John Randall Dunn, C. S. B., of Boston, Regarding the Christian Science Periodicals

I feel it is very fitting at this Annual Meeting that Christian Scientists should voice some of their gratitude for the increasingly helpful activities of our Publishing Society. The Christian Science Publishing Society has well been called "A heart-throb of The Mother Church," and through the beneficent channels provided by our periodicals has flowed the healing message of Truth to unnumbered thousands.

Our ably edited periodicals are at the same time the Christian Scientist's friends and strengtheners and his most reliable missionaries. Who among us can tear off the wrapper of a Sentinel or Journal, and fail to experience a happy thrill of anticipation of the good things prepared for us therein? What Christian Scientist can unfold the pages of our great daily newspaper, and not thank God for this clean, wholesome messenger of good? A noted educator remarked recently, "I do not consider The Christian Science Monitor is propaganda of Christian Science teaching but as the Christian Scientists' contribution to the cause of education." In fact, the appreciation of the Monitor by hundreds of non-Scientists contrasts strikingly with the apathy and indifference exhibited by many of our own people. Unfortunately, there are still to be found Christian Scientists who have not awakened to the great privilege of becoming Monitor subscribers and readers, even though our Leader expressed the wish "that every Christian Scientist . . . subscribe for and read our daily newspaper" (Miscellany, p. 352). They hide behind the argument that the paper is too old when it reaches them to be of any value as a newspaper. They quite forget that each copy of the Monitor might be regarded as a magazine, so full of wholesome news and information it is, and therefore will make excellent reading even a month or two after its printing. Does one ever quibble over the date of issuance of an interesting weekly or monthly magazine? Why, then, should one allow error to cheat him out of the joy and good and great betterment that inevitably come through the Monitor's interesting and instructive columns? Alert school children and college students are finding much to help them in our daily newspaper. Interesting material for essays, oral compositions, and such like, abound, and certainly from every conceivable standpoint the Christian Science parent owes it to his children to see that this enlightening and wholesome news-visitor comes daily to his home.

Our Mother Church and her activities have many times been likened to a tree and its branches; and as a tree may be said to breathe through its leaves, we can see that The Church of Christ, Scientist, literally breathes its message of healing and deliverance through the leaves of the Bible, our Leader's writings, and our periodicals. As faithful nurserymen it is our privilege to protect our tree and its leaves from the assaults of devastating pests, for of course it is well known that a tree persistently stripped of its leaves by parasites and insects cannot long endure. Are we doing our "bit" by subscribing to and reading all the periodicals, including the Monitor? Are we contributing articles and testimonies to the Sentinel and the Journal? Are we sending in extra subscriptions to the German and French Heralds in order that they may be sent to needy brethren overseas? Are we rendering loving mental support to the Publishing House and thanking God for the inspiration of our dear Leader which has made possible this glorious activity? Well may we paraphrase the familiar Scriptural text thus: The leaves of our Christian Science literature are indeed for the healing of the nations!