From the Field

[Report of Christian Science Pavilion Activities as the Colonial International Exposition, Paris, France]

From the first day of the opening of the Christian Science Pavilion at the Colonial International Exposition, its usefulness and importance were demonstrated. By "precept upon precept; line upon line," the two regular attendants and the group of twenty-five volunteer attendants endeavored to lead the French people and others to appreciate The Christian Science Monitor. The tactful presentation of its clean, impartial ideas and accurate news caused many of them to say, "The Christian Science Monitor is a real messenger of universal peace." The attendants were impressed by the number of French people who know English perfectly, or at least sufficiently to appreciate the value of the Monitor. Following their interest in our daily newspaper was sure to come the question, "What is back of such an ideal publication?" Then they were made acquainted with the revelation of Christian Science, as the restatement of primitive Christianity.

Day after day, and many times a day, occasions arose for correcting erroneous points of view regarding our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, and her revelation. It was made clear that Christian Science has nothing in common with spiritualism, theosophy, or any sort of occult teaching. Passages in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings were always shown inquirers from the books.

A great number of French people living in Paris, in the provinces, and in the colonies, especially men, came into the Pavilion, made some casual inquiry, and returned some days later to learn more concerning this divine Science and spiritual teaching. Among these investigators were doctors, ministers of the gospel, professors, lecturers, journalists and other writers, artists, and commercial men and women, but largely men. Some of these had read some short article from the Revue or from Science et Vie. Others had read a pamphlet on Christian Science during the war. Others had heard a lecture, or some healing had attracted them.

Again, others had heard or had learned something of Christian Science through the War Relief Workers who were in France during the war. They said, without exception, that they would never forget the love and devotion shown to the soldiers and to others during that time by the Christian Scientists. Others came into the Pavilion not knowing what it represented, and sat down to look at the books placed on the table for that purpose; and after reading for a short time they would exclaim, "At last I have found what I have been looking for, for a long time!"

It is also interesting to note the great number of French people who recently have taken to the study of the Bible. The French Protestant Bible Society sold thirteen hundred French Bibles in five days during the first days of the opening of their pavilion at the Exposition. The active sale continued. This was a splendid preparation for the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy.

We distributed a great number of French Heralds, as well as other authorized literature. Many Monitors went out also. The addresses of Reading Rooms, church services, and Monitor office were given generously and accepted gladly. Many people from Belgium learned for the first time that there is a Christian Science Society in Brussels. A goodly number of Alsatian people expressed a hope that the time is not far off when there will be one in Strasbourg.

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Editorial

Demonstrating God's Government

January 9, 1932

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