Statement from the Directors Regarding the Relief Funds

The Christian Science Board of Directors with contributions from Baron Ijuin

The Directors of The Mother Church desire to thank the field for its generous help to the sufferers in Japan at the time of the earthquake disaster last September, and to announce that there is no further need for contributions to this fund, which is now closed. In closing the fund and withdrawing from relief work in Japan, the Directors are acting as have other relief agencies, and have been informed by the Japanese Embassy in Washington that the present conditions are so much improved that the closing of special relief work in Japan is proper at this time.

Christian Science literature and other aid have been given to Christian Scientists in Japan to enable them to resume their activities and services. Approximately $10,000 has been spent for specially-built portable houses, some of which were allotted to the Tokyo City Government for public relief work. Approximately the sum of $52,000 was used to purchase clothing, household necessities, building material, and food which were shipped to and distributed in Japan, while $15,500 was distributed in cash through our relief committees. One thousand dollars was granted to assist Japanese students who would otherwise have been under the necessity of discontinuing their college courses, and who through this aid have been able to continue their studies uninterruptedly.

Many expressions of gratitude have been received from Americans, Europeans, and Japanese who have benefited from this fund, among which were a letter on behalf of the students of the First Higher School in Tokyo, and the following from the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, written at a time when efforts had been made to provide free space on Japanese boats for the supplies sent by the Christian Science Relief Committee:—

"The Gaimusho, Tokyo

"October 5, 1923 "Messrs. Edmond D. Berton, M. Matsukata, and Y. Takano, Committee of the Christian Scientists of Japan, Tokyo

"Dear Sirs:—

"In acknowledging the receipt of your note of the 4th instant, stating that a consignment of seventy-five tons of supplies for the relief of the needy in Japan has been shipped by S. S. President Jefferson, I wish to express on behalf of our Government and the afflicted people to you and through you to the Board of Directors of The Mother Church The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, my grateful appreciation and thanks of this manifestation of profound sympathy in the disaster which has befallen Tokyo and its neighbourhood.

"I beg to add that your note has promptly been referred to the competent authorities to provide necessary facilities for the unloading of those goods and their distribution.

"Yours truly,
(Signed) "Baron Ijuin, "Minister for Foreign Affairs"

As announced by the Directors at the opening of the fund, the balance remaining when the necessity should pass will be applied for other relief work as occasion may arise. Therefore the Directors are transferring the balance now in the Japanese Relief Fund to the Relief Fund of The Mother Church, for the purpose of alleviating suffering in extreme cases, as indicated when the establishment of this fund was announced.

Contributions to the Christian Science Fund for Relief in the Near East. are no longer needed: the Directors are glad to announce that the balance remaining in this fund is sufficient to take care of the further needs of our work in the Near East. This fund was started in 1922, and since January, 1923, has been administered by the Christian Science chaplain in the Navy, who has been assisted in his work by Christian Scientists in Greece and Constantinople. The relief work has extended aid to refugees to maintain themselves and to remove to other countries, where they could become reestablished and self-supporting. Food has been furnished to children, and some contribution has been made from the fund toward provision for their future maintenance and education. Approximately $43,000 has been expended by this relief committee, and such needs as may not be cared for by the balance remaining in the fund will be supplied through the Relief Fund of The Mother Church, which may be used in any emergency in any quarter of the globe where the Directors feel there is a sufficient need.

The Relief Fund is a permanent fund of The Mother Church and contributions to it are gladly received by the Treasurer of The Mother Church for disbursement in accordance with the purpose of this fund, announced in the Christian Science Sentinel of October 27, 1923.

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