Class. Book GofiyrigM?. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE WAR TIME ACTIVITIES A REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MOTHER CHURCH BY THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE WAR RELIEF COMMITTEE PUBLISHED BY THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY BOSTON -U-S-A -\p 1 ■ COPYMGHT, 1922, BY THE CHMSTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA JUN 16.1922 ©CI.A677191 BELOVED STUDENTS, loyal laborers are ye that have wrought valiantly, and achieved great guerdons in the vineyard of our Lord; but a mighty victory is yet to be won, a great freedom for the race; and Christian success is under arms, — with armor on, not laid down. ' ' MARY BAKER EDDY, Miscellaneous Writings, page 120. VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS REPORT HAVE BEEN MADE BY R. LILLIAN BROCK AGNES F. CHALMERS EDWARD W. DICKEY CAROLINE GETTY MARTIN F. JACKSON ARTHUR W. MARRIOTT, 2d EARL McCLOUD RALPH E. PARKER LUCY HAYS REYNOLDS EDWARD L. RIPLEY EDITH S. STEARNS MABEL S. THOMSON MARGARET S. S. WHYTE ROSTER OF STATE WAR RELIEF COM- MITTEES TO WHOM GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS HERE- BY EXTENDED State Chairman Alabama Mrs. E. T. Foster Arizona Mr. P. F. Magenheimer Arkansas Mr. Sidney M. Brooks Northern California . . . Mr. Arthur F. Fosbery Southern California .... Mr. C. Edwin Pierce Colorado Mr. John G. Kerr Connecticut Mr. M. N. Mayehoff Delaware . Mr. Norman E. John District of Columbia Mr. Philip King Florida Mr. John H. Williams Georgia Mr. Frank W. Burr Idaho Mr. B. W. Oppenheim Illinois Mr. Jacob S. Shield Indiana Mr. S. T. Downs Iowa Mr. J. Latimer Davis Kansas Mr. O. T. Cropper Kentucky Mrs. Hiram P. Roberts Louisiana Mr. A. J. Chapman Maine Mr. Albert H. Conant Maryland . Mr. W. H. Jennings Massachusetts Mr. I. Pierce Sewell Michigan Mr. A. H. Hulscher Minnesota Mr. C. H. Dennison Mississippi Mrs. Lilian Galarneau Missouri Mr. W. A. Hinchman 9 WAR RELIEF COMMITTEES State Chairman Montana Mr. Richard H. Smith Nebraska Mr. Lester B. McCoun Nevada Miss Elizabeth Smith New Hampshire Mr. Daniel E. Bridgman New Jersey Mr. Harry B. Fowler New York Mr. B. F. Bailey North and South Carolina . . Mr. E. Guggenheim North Dakota Mr. E. LaRue Ohio Mr. D. S. Humphrey Oklahoma Mr. Charles Mitschrich Oregon Mrs. Ada B. Gage Pennsylvania Mr. John F. Braun Rhode Island ...... Mrs. May D. Robertson Tennessee Mr. S. D. Cole Texas Mr. Fred W. Indermille Utah Mr. Warwick A. Tyler Vermont Mr. E. H. Russell Virginia Mr. Walter H. Miles Washington Mr. C. Macklem West Virginia Mr. W. K. Frederick Wisconsin Mr. Ross K. Decew Wyoming Mrs. Emma J. Umshler CANADA British Columbia . . . . Mrs. E. Jewel Robinson Manitoba Mr. D. S. Robb Nova Scotia Major H. B. Stairs Ontario . . . . .... Mr. J. Edgar Fielding FOREIGN Panama Mrs. Lettie M. St. Clair Haw ah Mrs. Edith Love Great Britain .... Mr. A. G. Maxtone-Graham 10 CONTENTS Introduction 13 I. Beginnings .... 20 II. Hands Across the Sea . 29 III. Helping Halifax .... 61 IV. Christian Science Camp Welfare Com- mittee: ..... 74 In Camp and Training Station . 79 Daily Deeds .... 87 "Quiet Resting Places" . 101 "Our Only Preachers" . 117 "He Sent His Word" . 133 With the Forces Afloat . 144 V. With the A. E. F. in France . 157 VI. England's Answer to the Call 211 VII. A Unique Committee . 249 VIII. Timely Recognition 296 IX. Financial Statement 323 X. Unselfish Labor Richly Rewarded . 381 11 INTRODUCTION The fine spirit of cooperation shown by Christian Scientists everywhere in the carrying on of the va- rious war time activities of our denomination, and their unbounded interest in and enthusiasm for the work in all its phases, has produced far-reaching re- sults. These being yet, in point of time, so close to the events themselves, however, it is difficult for one to form a just and impartial estimate of their impor- tance. It has not been possible heretofore to present in a complete and orderly sequence the steps which, dur- ing the nearly five years that have marked the world's great unrest, were taken by the Christian Science Church to aid, both in spiritual and material ways, those whose lives were affected in varying degrees by the fortunes of war. The time has now come, however, when it is not alone possible but most desirable to sub- mit to the Christian Science field a full report of the war work undertaken by the movement. In preparing this report the aim has been to pro- duce an accurate historical record of achievements, which will at all times be well balanced and which will not, for obvious reasons, unduly enlarge upon any single phase of the work. Covering the years 1914- 1919, years of unwonted activity, there has naturally been a great wealth of material from which to select, all of it valuable and important. Thus the chief task has been the elimination of a great quantity of subject- matter equal in all respects to that included. The plan 13 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR therefore, has been to deal broadly with the whole sub- ject and yet to introduce here and there, in detail, typical instances which serve to illustrate specifically the more important lines of activity followed in the United States and abroad, especially where these serve to illuminate the metaphysical purpose which lay behind all the Committee's efforts, and to give the results obtained by the application of divine law as taught in Christian Science, to all the varied and complex problems presented. A War Relief Committee was appointed by the Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church in 1914. In 1917 a Camp Welfare Committee was also appointed by the same authority. These were merged in 1918 and subsequently the words "Camp Welfare" were omitted from the title. It is this Com- mittee which submits the following report, in which is included the story of the efforts and achievements of others as well, for the many war time activities of Christian Scientists, working singly and in groups all over the world since the autumn of 1914, have been so closely interwoven that it is impossible to tell the story properly otherwise. Noteworthy instances of these exceptions will be found in the chapters "Helping Halifax," "A Unique Committee" and "Timely Recognition." The fall of 1914 witnessed the establishment of the War Relief Fund of The Mother Church. The Com- forts Forwarding Committee began its work in the latter part of 1917 and early in December of the same year, the Halifax Relief Committee made its notable trip to Nova Scotia. The first army chap- lain was appointed at almost the same time, this appointment being followed at short intervals by 14 INTRODUCTION others, until ten were serving in the army and navy. The War Relief Committee for Great Britain and Ireland originally appointed in 1914 was enlarged in scope in 1918 by the Christian Science Board of Directors, who at that time selected three persons to carry on the larger work planned. Though in no sense under the direction of the American Committee, the work in the United Kingdom was modeled largely after that in the United States and was an extension of the work established in 1915 and the years follow- ing at Chatham, Dover, Alder shot, Bedford and Colchester by the united churches of the London dis- trict, in Ripon by the churches of Yorkshire, and in Edinburgh and Dublin and Newcastle by the local churches interested. Even to a group of people so accustomed as are Christian Scientists to seeing the so-called impossible accomplished, the progress of the work of this Com- mittee during the late months of 1917 and the earlier ones of 1918 was astonishing. The rapid and success- ful building of the organization which cared so satis- factorily for the work in the American and British training camps, and served so remarkably well both the American and the British Expeditionary Forces in France and elsewhere, was the result of genuine and sustained teamwork, a unified effort which was unselfish and generous beyond praise. This support, always extended in a whole-hearted and unquestion- ing manner by those at home, was undoubtedly the chief explanation of the splendid results obtained. With such backing, success was inevitable. As individual Christian Scientists, living in far corners of the world, unorganized groups scattered here and there, societies and churches, large and small, 15 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR had responded to the opportunity to aid the war suf- ferers, when it was first presented to them in 1914, so they eagerly answered the call made in November, 1917, to extend this work. Thus within a period of sixty days, the entire Christian Science movement in the United States was completely organized and in a large measure at work, along lines which we shall fully cover. This report would be incomplete without a full recognition of the invaluable assistance rendered by State Committees and their corresponding sub- committees located in every town and city where a Christian Science Church or Society existed. On these committees more than two thousand persons served voluntarily and without compensation. The service rendered was highly important and nearly always entailed large contributions of time and effort. In fact it was the framework of the structure which, when put to the test, as it was on many occasions, proved staunch and strong at all points, and able to respond quickly and effectively to all calls made upon it. There were employed by these Committees on No- vember 11, 1918, more than two hundred persons serving, some as Camp Workers, others as Welfare Room attendants, and a few in other important capacities. These persons devoted their full time to the work, often lived in the camps and were subject to transfer without notice. The policy of the Board of Directors, in the matter of compensation paid the sal- aried workers, was generous and in every case enabled them to carry on their work free from financial anxi- ety. The body of the report will bear rich and varied testimony as to the high character and value of the work performed by these men and women. In camp 16 INTRODUCTION and hospital, at home and in foreign lands, working under strange and oftentimes most difficult conditions, they proved worthy of the high responsibility reposed in them. At the time of the greatest activity, there were in operation in the United States, Canada, England and France, something over one hundred Welfare rooms, tents and buildings. Some of these are pictured in the pages of this report. These photographs indicate the care and thought given to this important branch of the work. In our own buildings and equipment, in- cluding some additional tents and rooms elsewhere, the Committee had invested upward of $150,000. Equipment has been disposed of advantageously, in many instances at better than sixty per cent of its cost. Of the buildings erected in or near camps, it is hoped that at least two will become the permanent church homes of groups of Christian Scientists in those locali- ties. The gift of another has been asked by a local hos- pital for a free clinic. Two have reverted to the owners of the land on which they were located according to provisions in the original leases. Several others are still to be disposed of. Of all the Committee's assets at the time of its demobilization, the buildings were perhaps in the main the most difficult to realize upon. Considerably better than fifty per cent was secured from the sale of automobiles which at one time repre- sented an investment of in excess of $40,000. Of the two boats owned by the Committee, both have been sold at advantageous prices. In these as in other mat- ters, great credit must be given to the State Commit- tees, who not only invested the funds in the first in- stance but who faithfully conserved and disposed of the assets when the work was concluded. The most 17 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR important thing done by the Committee was, of course, the distribution of the Christian Science text- book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scrip- tures," by Mary Baker Eddy. In the neighborhood of forty thousand copies were distributed without cost to the recipient. At the same time large quantities of Bibles were also given out and during the year 1918 more than six million copies of the Monitor were dis- tributed. These figures alone speak volumes for the activity and tireless energy of the workers to whom fell the bulk of the distribution work involved. Great praise is due the splendid workers in the United Kingdom for the way in which they started the work in the earlier years of the war and ex- panded it from year to year despite formidable obsta- cles. American readers will especially appreciate the story of the work there as presented in this report by the Committee for Great Britain and Ireland. The Trustees under Mrs. Eddy's Will aided the English work substantially in its earlier days through the purchase of literature for distribution. The story of the work in France is quite out of the ordinary and for that and other reasons will strongly appeal to all Christian Scientists. While the workers selected for the service had many extremely interest- ing and unusual experiences, it should be remembered that they had not a few unusual burdens to bear, since conditions in France in 1918 were in many respects difficult and trying. The administration of the fund in foreign lands deserves the warmest commendation. Concerning this work as carried on in England, France and Italy, the report will be quite complete. Less, however, can be related of that done in Holland, Denmark and Swit- 18 INTRODUCTION zerland, for the reason that personal contact with these countries during the latter years of the war was most difficult and information is only now slowly filtering in. In these places, however, devoted Scien- tists have been administering the funds of the Com- mittee wisely and helpfully and doing great good. The information contained in the section of the report devoted to Finance is most gratifying and indi- cates that many willing hands make any task a light and joyous one, and the stories of personal expe- riences in the concluding section will make us all glad. These various and widely separated activities are brought together in this report and, as far as possible, correlated and arranged so that each section fits into the story chronologically, 19 I BEGINNINGS When the" fires of conflict were first kindled in August, 1914, it took some months for the enlightened nations of the earth to awaken to the fact that a gigan- tic struggle for human liberty had been forced upon them. Christian Scientists, however, though at first but faintly, perceived the true nature of the problem which the world was vainly trying to solve through a dependence upon human means and methods. They became more and more convinced that it was impos- sible to maintain an attitude of neutrality towards the world war for the reason that only those nations which had some understanding of Principle, as revealed in Christian Science, were adequately armed and equipped to carry a righteous cause to a victorious conclusion. Until the American nation as a whole attained to some realization of this fact, Christian Scientists in that country were obliged to work more or less as individuals, but the constant desire to help in the solution of the world problem crystallized itself in the establishment of the War Relief Fund by the Board of Directors of The Mother Church, and accordingly the following announcement appeared in the Christian Science Sentinel of October 24, 1914 : A RELIEF FUND "The many Christian Scientists who have desired to con- tribute to the relief of those of our people who are enduring 21 BEGINNINGS the hardships which war entails, will welcome the oppor- tunity afforded by the following letter, a copy of which has been mailed to all branch churches and societies in the United States : " 'To the Christian Science Churches and Societies in the United States. " 'Dear Friends : " 'This Board has been informed that, as a consequence of the war in Europe, Christian Scientists in the countries affected are in great distress. As a means of relieving this distress, The Mother Church will take a collection at both of its services on Sunday, October 25. If your organization should desire to take similar action this Board will be glad to forward to reliable committees of Christian Scientists what- ever amounts you may send for this purpose. " 'Remittances may be sent to Adam H. Dickey, Treasurer, 103 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts. " 'Very sincerely, " 'The Christian Science Board of Directors. " 'By John V. Dittemore, Secretary.' " In the fall of that year a member of the Board of Lectureship was called to undertake a trip to Europe in order to organize relief committees in the different countries. This delegate was provided with the proper credentials from The Mother Church describing the object of his mission, and went to Washington to secure a passport. There he had interviews with the Secretary of State and some of the ambassadors accredited to the United States from the warring nations, receiving their hearty commendation of the plan. The delegate sailed from New York on November 16, 1914, and on his arrival in London requested the 22 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR Committee on Publication for Great Britain and Ire- land, to call a relief committee representing the whole of the British Isles. The members of this committee were asked to administer the fund which was originally intended to assist Christian Scientists who had been placed in financial difficulty by the outbreak of the war. There were families where fathers had been called to the colors, leaving wives and children totally unprepared to earn a living. There were men whose business affairs had been wiped out of existence by the declara- tion of war. There were students, teachers, artists, who found their livelihood taken away, as it were, over- night, because people felt forced to do without the so-called luxuries of life. Many persons found their income stopped or greatly curtailed because they held securities in some of the countries involved in the struggle. In short, there were many cases where Christian Scientists were faced with the problem of demonstrating that supply is invariable and unlimited. To lift the sense of fear for such as these and so enable them to perceive the ever-presence of God's care, was the aim of the War Relief Fund. In proportion as it was seen that the love which prompted the gifts of Christian Scientists to the fund was the real sub- stance of the help extended, fear was cast out, and individuals were able to dispense with further aid from the fund. Not only so but they were put in a position to help others, thus proving again the spirit- ual fact that "whatever blesses one blesses all" (Sci- ence and Health, page 206 ) . A most interesting illus- tration of this point which occurred in France through the work of a sculptress will be related in more detail in the chapter devoted to that country. 23 BEGINNINGS The plans devised for the distribution of the fund in Great Britain served as a model for the committees of other countries visited by the delegate from the Christian Science Board of Directors. A call was made in London upon the representatives of the United States Government and when the purpose of our fund was told them their verdict was expressed in the words, "That is splendid." In Paris plans were perfected for a committee of four to handle the war relief work for France. A joint meeting of the two churches in Paris was addressed by the delegate, to familiarize the membership with the working plan of the relief fund. In Paris, too, the delegate found the American embassy most cordial, and was told that The Christian Science Monitor was always to be found there. Similar committees were organized in Geneva for French-speaking Switzerland and at Zurich for German-speaking Switzerland. Then in accordance with instructions from the Christian Science Board of Directors, the delegate made arrangements to ex- tend the benefits of the relief fund to Christian Scientists in Germanv also. Here the difficulties en- countered at first seemed somewhat discouraging, but with the help of the Committee on Publication in Zurich a necessary letter was secured from the Ger- man ambassador at Berne and the journey under- taken. A stop was made at Stuttgart where a member of the Christian Science Society was visited and a mes- sage left for the Society explaining the purpose of the relief fund. In Berlin a committee representing the Christian Science Churches and Societies of Germany met to handle the portion of the relief fund which was assigned to them. 24 West Entrance to Welfare Building, Camp Merritt, New Jersey Christian Science War Relief Building, Camp Merritt, New Jersey The Bubbler Fountain, Camp Merritt, New Jersey CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR After the entrance of Italy into the world struggle a committee was organized in that country through the initiative of Christian Scientists in Florence, the administration of the fund being like that of the other committees in Europe. A committee was also organ- ized in Holland. Many touching incidents marked the delegate's trip. By means of a special fund he was able to bring much-needed assistance to individuals who were in immediate need. Frequently the fear of those in want was so quickly overcome that they wrote stating that there was no further need for help. The tragedies of the war were mitigated for many, un- avoidable separations were bridged over and the heal- ing work stimulated. December 5, 1914, the fund was opened to non- Scientists in the following announcement which was made to the field, MORE RELIEF NEEDED "In the Sentinel of October 24, a call was issued for con- tributions to a fund for the relief of Christian Scientists who were in distress as a consequence of the present war. In re- sponse to this call the generous sum of $80,413.90 has been received, and this fund will be distributed to Christian Scien- tists by committees now being organized by William D. Mc- Crackan, who is in Europe for that purpose. It is believed that the amount of money now in hand will be sufficient for the needs of Christian Scientists, and for the present at least this fund will be closed. "There is, however, great need of funds for the relief of hundreds of thousands of others besides our own people who are in poverty and distress by reason of the war, and a col- lection for their benefit will be taken in The Mother Church 25 BEGINNINGS at both services on Sunday, December 6. Any branch church or society which takes similar action may remit to Adam H. Dickey, Treasurer, 103 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachu- setts, and such amounts as are received will be forwarded to the same committees of Christian Scientists for distribution." In the Sentinel of April 3, 1915, the following re- port on the War Relief Fund made it a permanent war fund of The Mother Church: RELIEF FUND FOR WAR SUFFERERS "In response to the call for contributions for the relief of Christian Scientists in distress by reason of the present war in Europe, the sum of $82,104.02 has been received by the Treasurer of The Mother Church. Of this amount, $77,595.51 has been disbursed to the relief committees organized by Mr. McCrackan in England, Germany, France, and Switzerland, as called for by them. Much gratitude has been expressed by the Christian Scientists in these countries for the help extended to them by their brethren in America. "In addition to the $82,104.02 collected for the relief of Christian Scientists, there has also been collected the sum of $29,154.90 for the relief of war sufferers other than Christian Scientists. This entire amount has been disbursed to relief committees of Christian Scientists in Holland, England, France, and Switzerland. The total amount received to date for these two funds is $111,258.92, of which but $4508.51 remains unexpended. As the need for help still continues, this small balance will not last long; therefore Christian Scien- tists are given the opportunity to continue to send contribu- tions to the Treasurer of The Mother Church for this relief work. For the future it is proposed to maintain but one fund, and from this both Christian Scientists and others will be assisted." 26 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR From that date a continuous and steady flow of voluntary offerings poured into the office of the Treasurer of The Mother Church with the desire of bringing some measure of relief to the countries of the world where war was working its devastations. With the declaration of war by the United States the needs were brought much closer home and the estab- lishment of the Christian Science Camp Welfare Committee called for ample funds to maintain and support its activities. In November, 1917, the Manager of this commit- tee started on a tour of the United States for the pur- pose of organizing State Committees who should have jurisdiction over the work within their borders and who should aid in raising funds for the maintenance of the activity. In January, 1918, a Camp Welfare account was opened by the Treasurer of The Mother Church. Christian Scientists in some of the states had al- ready subscribed thousands of dollars for work among the enlisted men in their own neighborhoods. It soon became evident, however, that such a distribu- tion of the financial burden was neither feasible nor just. Such a state as South Carolina, for instance, had three national army cantonments within its borders while a state like Minnesota had none. Moreover, there was a much larger percentage of Christian Scientists in some states than in others, so that it was decided very early in the development of the Camp Welfare activities to have a fund administered by The Mother Church to which each state would send its contributions for the support of the committee. Each State Committee had a Financial Secretary in charge of this work and through the fund each state 27 BEGINNINGS was supplied with a Revolving Account sufficient to meet the demands made upon it for work in the camps within its borders. It was early made plain that the Camp Welfare Committee must have the assurance of a regular in- come to the fund and to meet this need the State Committees adopted various means and methods. In some cases branch churches pledged themselves to give so much a month, or a total lump sum to be paid within a certain date. Again, individuals subscribed a stipulated sum monthly to the fund. It was pointed out by many of the State Committees that if indi- viduals pledged themselves to pay regularly even so small a sum as one dollar per month the Camp Wel- fare Committee would have a bountiful income, suffi- cient to meet every need. Many persons adopted this method of giving and many others sent in con- tributions from time to time. At the services conducted by the men in khaki and blue, collections were often taken voluntarily and were added to the general fund. As the magnitude of the work in the camps began to dawn upon the thought of those in charge, it was seen that it would tremendously simplify the admin- istration of the fund and obviate duplication of work for the Treasurer of The Mother Church to consoli- date the Camp Welfare and War Relief Funds. Accordingly on March 23, 1918, it was announced in the Christian Science Sentinel that thereafter all dis- bursements would be made from the consolidated fund. 28 II HANDS ACROSS THE SEA ENGLAND When the cataclysm of August, 1914, shook human consciousness to its depths, and revealed as never be- fore the precariousness of all merely material depend- ence, humanity found itself face to face with such unprecedented difficulties and hitherto unconceived terrors that "men's hearts failed them for fear." This upheaval, however, brought with it a more compre- hensive revelation of the compassionate mission of Christian Science and provided an opportunity for Christian Scientists to serve mankind in many ways that might never have arisen otherwise. The first evi- dence of this was the establishment in December, 1914, of The Mother Church Relief Fund to aid suf- ferers through the war. A representative was sent by the Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church to Great Britain and Ireland to initi- ate the work. This representative formed a series of committees consisting, all told, of nineteen delegates from various sections of the United Kingdom, all under the chairmanship of the District Manager of Committees on Publication for Great Britain and Ire- land. Grants from the fund were sent from Boston and distributed to the committees in accordance with requests received from them. During a period of three and a half years, from January, 1915, to July, 1918, 29 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR relief was extended to more than 2600 cases in this way. Although Christian Scientists in the United Kingdom and the Colonies were naturally most anxious to contribute to The Mother Church Relief Fund, it was then impossible for them to do so under the Defence of the Realm Act, inasmuch as a portion of the fund would be used to aid sufferers in the coun- tries with which the United Kingdom and her Colo- nies were at war. The needs to be met at the time the fund was opened differed somewhat from those which subse- quently presented themselves. The war broke out with startling suddenness and many well-to-do people found themselves reduced to poverty almost in a night. In these opening days, consequently, the need was often for substantial sums to prevent the collapse of small businesses, to carry on the education of chil- dren, or to train individuals for professions to take the place of those which war conditions had swept away. A great deal of help was also extended to landladies in districts which suffered heavily from air raids and bombardments. Much also was done for the relief of those in absolute destitution. In one instance, one of the local committees found a woman who had been struggling for six weeks to support herself and four children on five shillings and sixpence a week. She would neither run in debt, nor beg, and when she was found, there was literally nothing in the house, both she and the children being in a pitiful condition, having had no food for twenty-four hours. The family is now well cared for, and the woman's gratitude is very great. Another case was that of a young German woman married to a Church of England clergyman, who 30 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA obtained a separation from her at the outbreak of the war because she was a German. Under the deed of separation she received thirteen shillings and five pence maintenance money, but owing to the strong feeling against her nationality she was not able to get work to supplement this sum. She is not a Christian Scientist but has found that the only alleviation of her circumstances has come through Christian Science and is extremely grateful for the relief extended to her each week. Recently she returner* to Germany, saying that she would at once look up the nearest Christian Science Reading Room and tell of the loving treat- ment she has received through The Mother Church Fund. In one instance where help was given in very sad circumstances, the recipient wrote that she had no idea that her affairs were known to anyone, or that there was such a blessing as The Mother Church Relief Fund. She said that the gift was a most wonderful answer to her prayers. Relief was also extended to a number of working dressmakers, whose small businesses failed in the early days of the war. Several struggling artists and musi- cians whose means of livelihood abruptly stopped, were also helped for a period. A number of boarding- house keepers at some of the popular seaside resorts, were likewise recipients of relief from the fund. The war broke out just at the beginning of the summer season, and the towns, particularly on the east coast, lost many of their usual summer visitors through the anticipation of enemy raids by sea or by air, and through the necessary military regulations regarding coast defence. Excerpts from several of the many letters received 31 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR by the General Committee administering the fund for Great Britain give a clear indication of the good accomplished in that country. One says: "Enclosed please find receipt for the balances of the amount so generously granted me by The Mother Church, for which we are profoundly thankful. It has indeed been the means of giving us a fresh start in life unburdened with debts. . . . Am pleased to inform you that the improvement in health continues and I appear to be steadily gaining in strength, in fact all my friends remark how well I am looking lately, thanks to Christian Science." A Committee reports : "I am sure it will interest you to hear of another proof of the unity of good. The people with whom I was able to place Mrs. W. through the allowance made to her by the War Relief Fund are receiving such benefit. The man, a clerk in the Post Office, has been away from work for sixteen weeks. Mrs. W. told him about Christian Science and he got Science and Health and read constantly, with the result that he is now back at work and he and his wife have begun to attend our services." Another : "This morning I received a letter from a lady, enclosing one pound for the fund, and writing: 'Two years ago I was the recipient of ten pounds from this fund, which enabled me, amongst other things, to visit a Christian Science friend. From that time my needs have always been met and I felt very strongly the right thought which must accompany these gifts from Scientists in America and elsewhere.' " A local Committee in England writes : "You will be glad to hear that the two cases which have received the largest donations from the fund in this district, 32 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA have, through this help, been able to make a magnificent demonstration and have repaid more to the local funds in subscriptions than they originally received." Another beneficiary says : "I herewith hand you £60, sixty pounds, in bank notes for the War Relief Fund. "In December the first year of the war, as you know, I had lost all my business and was owing my house rent and taxes to the amount of £55. This had got on top of me to the extent that I did not seem to be able to think of anything clearly and was in the depths of despair, not seeing any way out of the seeming trouble. At this time you spoke to me of the War Relief Fund, just then available, with the result that a cheque for the £55 was sent to me. The receipt of this money, coming as it did with such loving thought behind it, lifted the heavy cloud, and from that day I was a new man and was able to help myself. "I have gradually worked up a new business and although there have been times of trial, still I have been able to look to the only source for the solving of all problems and know that He does not look at the seeming faults, mistakes, mis- directed efforts, etc., but sees only the perfect man. "I have many times wanted to give a good amount to this fund but it is only now that I have been able to make the perfect demonstration. "Words are inadequate to express my very deep gratitude but I know that others will be blessed, as I have been, through this fund." After the appointment in 1918 of the Christian Science War Relief Committee for Great Britain and Ireland, a letter was received from the Christian Sci- ence Board of Directors recommending the reorgani- zation of the administration of the War Relief Fund, and advising that relief should be extended only to 33 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR refugees or those in actual destitution. The problem of unemployment had almost disappeared in 1918, owing to the large numbers engaged in munition making, or kindred activities. Therefore, the nature of the relief work changed considerably, and the number of cases helped was greatly reduced. The endeavor was made to have the War Relief agent in charge of a case make the payments weekly, thereby keeping in close touch with the recipient, and giving such encouragement and advice from the metaphysical standpoint as would go far towards healing the condition of poverty. In sev- eral cases the metaphysical work done by the agent brought about the financial healing before there was time for the Committee to extend the relief which was sought. On page IX of the Preface to Miscellaneous Writ- ings, Mrs. Eddy writes : "A certain apothegm of a Talmudical philosopher suits my sense of doing good. It reads thus : 'The noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting charity ; and the best alms are to show and to enable a man to dispense with alms.' " This "sense of doing good" has been held as the ideal in distributing the War Relief Fund, and there has been ample proof of the wisdom and fruitfulness of such a method. In one instance the small payment of ten shillings was made to a man who had been dis- charged from the army as incurable. He was unable to work, and his wife was ill. Christian Science treat- ment was given and within a week, the man was com- pletely healed and able to take up an excellent posi- tion. Relief was given to a Belgian refugee and her sick husband. The woman was a munition worker during 34 s o U I a fti ti HANDS ACROSS THE SEA the war, but after the factory closed she was out of work for some time. When the unemployment pay came to an end, she was without means of supply while awaiting repatriation, and owing to her hus- band's continued illness, she was the sole breadwinner. On hearing of the case an allowance was at once made from the War Relief Fund for the necessary period. A Christian Scientist visited the husband on behalf of the Committee and had several good talks with him, which resulted in a great improvement in his physical condition. Within a short time the arrangements for repatriation were completed and the couple returned to Belgium. A message has been received announcing their safe and happy arrival at home, and saying that the husband is now well. An elderly woman of seventy-three years, who was in great poverty, received help, and through this was introduced to the subject of Christian Science. She told the practitioner who called on her that her only son had been killed in France, and that she had prayed both day and night to God to heal her broken heart. As she could not read, the textbook, which she now loves, was read aloud to her, and she recently re- marked that "no bottle of medicine could touch the heart as that black book does. It has healed my broken one, and made me a better woman." HOLLAND It was to hospitable little Holland that many peo- ple, forced to become refugees through the war, fled for safety and shelter. There were consequently many calls upon the War Relief Fund of The Mother Church coming from persons of various nationalities. 35 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR The fund was administered in Holland by the Com- mittee on Publication for that country, and in one of the reports we read : "We are so grateful for the help the Christian Scientists in America are giving us. I am sure each of them would feel amply rewarded if he could hear the expressions of gratitude of the people we have been able to help in Holland. And to think that this blessed work is going on in many other coun- tries is indeed glorious !" A Dutch lady writes : "What a relief and what a splendid gift I received from the War Relief Fund. Not only my immediate needs are all supplied, but the principal thing is that I received a tangible proof of God's love and know from experience that He never leaves those who trust in Him." Says a student: "I acknowledge the receipt of the 200 florins from the War Relief Fund. I am very grateful to the Committee that makes it possible for me in this way to provide for my future, and it certainly will be a stimulus to do all I can to pass the examination successfully." From the same student somewhat later : "You surely will be pleased to hear that I have success- fully passed the examination. As it was through your medium that I received the help from the Christian Science War Relief Fund which made it possible to continue my study I want to thank you once more." Ah Englishman writes from The Hague: "I am most happy to inform you that my family came through from Belgium last week. "My wife joins me in thanking you and the other members of the Committee most sincerely for the munificent manner 36 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA in which you came forward to our assistance in our trouble. We shall never forget the sympathy and kindness we have experienced in this hospitable country and shall always re- member with gratitude those to whom we are so much indebted for bringing an end to our long separation. "This loan shall be amongst the first that will have my attention as soon as I am in a position to repay same." Another whose burden was lightened writes: "Thank you so much for the help received, by means of which we were able to redeem our belongings from the pawn- broker and to buy some warm clothes for my husband. We have passed through great poverty as my husband was with- out work for a long time and we were forced to sell much of our furniture. To our delight he has just found work, too. Will you please thank the Christian Scientists for the help God inspired them to give us ?" From a society for the relief of interned soldiers came the following: "In the name of 'L'CEuvre de I'lnterne' we thank you heartily for the splendid gift of 500 florins which you sent to our Commander, General J., from the War Relief Fund of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass." These are only a few of the cases which might be cited to show that The Mother Church Fund was the means of bringing relief, comfort and solace to those on whom war had cast its shadow in Holland. SWITZERLAND In German-speaking Switzerland the headquarters of the War Relief Fund were at Zurich, in French- speaking Switzerland at Geneva. Like Holland, the 37 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR country was filled to overflowing with those who sought a refuge from the storm of war and among them were many to whom the fund of The Mother Church came, bringing peace where there had been anxiety, health where there had been sickness, and trust where there had been only the blank outlook of utter hopelessness and despair. What joy it brings to the hearts of all who have helped make the fund possible to hear the following story of one whom the Committee in Zurich was able to aid: "I became acquainted with a woman who was bending under her load of troubles. She was in debt and lacked even the absolute necessities, her husband being at the frontier. (He had been obliged to do service three times in the interval of one year.) She received only a small subsidy for herself and her child, just enough not to perish from starvation. "Before the war her husband had a small business and the wife kept a boarding house. They lived comfortably until 1914 when the war started ; then misery began. The husband's business failed entirely ; the boarders left to serve under the flag and thus a hard time began for the wife. When her hus- band left for the frontier she was deprived of his support. The state of fear in which she found herself over the rent and the debts to be paid resulted in illness and she had to undergo two operations for goiter. This woman became so irritable and embittered that she made the home for her child a veritable hell. Then error held full sway. "I felt attracted toward the child, who was about thirteen at that time, and was very much impressed by the confidence she had in God, that they would be delivered from their moral and material misery. I then realized that here was an oppor- tunity to apply the truth of Christian Science and by and by I began to see results with the child. Her disposition became greatly changed so that the mother was astonished. Later, 38 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA when the opportunity occurred I approached the mother, and with her also, after a time, the inharmonious conditions began to give place to harmony ; slowly a great transformation took place. There was, however, the cloud of her indebtedness hanging over her. I then asked for aid on her behalf from the War Relief Committee in Zurich. The sum of 300 francs was given her to pay off the most urgent debts. "To the poor woman this was a fortune falling from heaven. She could never have dreamed of such a solution. This money, given to her by Love, was the beginning of a new life. The oppressing fears were lifted, and one can truth- fully say that blessings were showered upon the family. The child was given shoes, clothing, hats and all necessary things. The husband being, up to that time, in a trying and poorly paid position in the army, was transferred without any special effort to a higher grade. His officer showed so much interest in him that he gave him 100 francs to send to his family, and when at the end of his term of service, the supplies of the company were sold, he received enough to provide for himself for some time. "The wife herself is completely transformed. She is very happy to have regained her strength so that now she is able to do her washing and housework. She is freed from her asthmatic trouble so that there is no need of a further opera- tion, and often I have the pleasure of looking in her face, now full of contentment, and of hearing her say: 'How happy I am ! How happy I am ! What would have become of us if you had not told us about Christian Science !' " Another recipient of help from the Zurich Com- mittee writes : "At this time I would like to express my gratitude to the Christian Scientists for all the love and kindness shown to their European brothers by helping them financially. I am one of those who have been helped twice by the local Commit- tee, having received 50 francs each time. In the meantime, 39 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR "I want to express to you and the War Relief Fund my profound gratitude for the help you extended to me in my distress. This aid has opened to me a new spiritual life which I wish to understand better and to follow. Thank you with all my heart for having shown me this life-giving truth." "It is with a heart full of gratitude that I offer my thanks to you in this letter. ... I dare not think what would have become of me during these hard times with my poor means of subsistence. . . . On Saturday you brought me the sum of 150 francs from your fund to make provision of coal for the winter. . . . Thanks also for Le Heraut and above all, thanks for the textbook by Mrs. Eddy. This book is truly spiritual food for all my family." "The aid which I particularly have received from the War Relief Committee has been a great help and encouragement to me during the trying period we have been passing through. Eighteen months ago I was utterly ignorant of Christian Science. I owe to it my physical and moral restoration. It gave me health and strength on my hospital bed where death awaited me in August, 1916. Through it I now desire to live. It is sustaining me today in every difficult problem. "Therefore, it is with all my heart that I desire to con- tribute to this work which has become dear to me through having received so many of its benefits." ITALY It was largely through the initiative of Christian Scientists in Florence that a War Relief Committee was organized in Italy after the entry of that country into the world struggle. The Christian Science Society of Florence holds its services and maintains a Reading Room in a substan- tial building on the Via Delia Spada just across the street from the famous Strozzi palace. On the third 42 « S Pi o .— - 44 £5 _J HANDS ACROSS THE SEA floor were the headquarters for the Committee admin- istering the War Relief Fund for Italy. The well- organized group of Christian Scientists carefully investigated hundreds of cases of destitution and misery in Rome, Florence, Genoa, Turin, Sienna and Sarzana and distributed money and comforts with much care and discrimination. On a single afternoon at headquarters in Florence as many as fifty cases were helped, each one of which had been the subject of careful consideration and investigation. A glimpse of the tireless group that eagerly awaited their turn outside the disbursing office in Florence, through long hours on one hot September afternoon when a visitor was present, would have satisfied everjr contributor to the fund that the help was needed in Italy. Old men and women, young soldiers' widows with tiny babes, whose pensions, pitifully meager at the best, had not even as yet been allotted, discharged soldiers who had contracted diseases in the army, mothers of large families seeking even trifling aid, were each in turn seen and comforted and sent away rejoicing, giving voluble expressions of grati- tude. Knowing the characteristics of the Italian people, and desiring, too, to make The Mother Church Fund furnish true aid, the Committee purchased quantities of wool which it distributed to the poor to be knitted into socks and paid one lira a pair to the knitter. The socks were then sent to the soldiers of the Italian army and elicited among others the following letter : "The Officers of the Edolo Battalion 5th Alpines, in the name of the brave Alpines. "We heartily thank you for the most useful and most 43 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR welcome twenty-five pairs of socks, mountain hoods, and knee protectors. The good that you kind ladies do is inestimable. "When our soldiers feel that they are thought of by those at home, sacrifice becomes nothing to them and danger is faced with strong and calm hearts." In another instance the Committee purchased a sewing machine for some women refugees, who wrote : "We refugees of Sandona di Piave, Venezia, having been forced to give up our dear land to the barbarous enemy, and finding ourselves in need, feel it is our duty to extend to this honorable Committee our hearty thanks, having received money to buy a sewing machine with which to earn our living. "Thanking once more this honorable Committee for the good and comfortable position in which they have put us, we remain, yours ever gratefully." Again it was an Italian officer who said : "In my name and in the name of my soldiers, I send to you Madam, and to the Christian Science Society, our heartiest thanks for what you have so generously sent to my soldiers. "I say generously because the woolen underwear which was in abundance was so gratefully accepted. The games, too, were a kind thought, so that the soldiers, when the enemy per- mit, may be distracted and pass the long hours in the trenches less monotonously. . . . "With great faith in victory — hurrah for the Allies, hurrah for America." Surely the fund did a good work when it helped this little Italian schoolboy, who wrote: "I can't help sending you a few words to thank you for the good you have done for me and my dear mother. I thank you for the shoes, for the house rent, and for paying for my schooling. I promise you to study in order to be a comfort to my poor parents. Forgive my bad writing and with respects, yours very truly." HANDS ACROSS THE SEA The minister of an Evangelical Church on the island of Elba was sent a sum of money by the Committee to be used among the needy members of his congrega- tion. Of two families who were helped through the fund he writes : "In closing this letter of gratitude allow me to refer to some blessings that have come to two of the above-mentioned families. A little grandson of C. fell ill and the doctor pro- nounced it a case of typhoid fever. The child is a pupil in the fourth class of the Evangelical School. When I went to see him, I found all the family in the utmost despair thinking the child was as good as dead. I spoke boldly of the power of faith and said how absurd it was to think a young boy should have to die. I called to mind the miracles of Jesus and assured them the child would not die. Thanks be to God, he recovered. "In the family P., the head of the house, a soldier at the front, was wounded in the body by a shell. His sisters had not the courage to tell their old mother, though all the town knew about it. I went to tell her so that her faith might be awak- ened before she heard the sad news. We all realized the young man would be saved. God has surely restored him to life. Now he is again at the front and is expected home for the winter leave. "The light of faith and of life has been lacking in the world. Hence war and death. But Life triumphs over death." It is to be noted that the Italian woman, whose grateful letter follows, is anxious to learn English so that she may read about Christian Science. "I feel very sorry that I cannot speak and understand English. However, I hope to learn some day and with the language I shall learn so many good things which I need. My husband tries to study English in order to understand the treasures contained in those little books that you gave him. They are his companions and consolation in his forced and temporary exile. (He is a soldier.) . . . Christian Sci- 45 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR ence seems part of his life. And here, Signora, allow me to thank you heartily for the help given to me in money, rent and clothing. I wish I could thank all the Americans who have liberated my children, my husband and myself from the tre- mendous weight of woe which was upon us. "All these troubles are forgotten, thanks to you, and to the good friends, I dare say brothers, Scientists of the world. Accept, Signora, my feelings of gratitude and reverence." FRANCE The War Relief Fund of The Mother Church as established in the fall of 1914, was primarily intended to assist Christian Scientists and to help them over a period of temporary financial stress until they should again be able to help themselves. As the love which prompted this offer of assistance was the real sub- stance of the aid extended, it cast out the fear of those in need. Consequently Christian Scientists were, in most cases, soon able to dispense with all financial aid from the fund, hence in the Sentinel of December 5, 1914, the Treasurer of The Mother Church announced that sufficient money was then in hand to meet the needs of Christian Scientists, at the same time asking for further contributions for the relief of non- Scien- tists who were suffering from the privations entailed by the war. In France a Committee had been organized jointly from the two churches in Paris for the administration of "The Mother Church Relief Fund." It now joy- ously accepted the privilege of extending help to non- Scientists as well as to Scientists. It soon became evi- dent, however, that to let it be generally known that such a fund existed would bring an overwhelming number of appeals for assistance, for at this time the 46 On the porch at Camp Jackson Interior of House, Camp Jackson, South Carolina HANDS ACROSS THE SEA soldiers' wives in France were receiving only twenty- five cents a day for adults and ten cents for each child, and this class of the needy would very soon have swal- lowed up the fund. Therefore, the Committee endeav- ored to find out the miseres cachees, those who had no means whatever and who were often of the edu- cated classes whose natural delicacy debarred them from making their needs known. Scores of interesting cases could be cited, where the fund came to the assistance of persons in distress and helped them over a trying period. Many artists who found themselves suddenly stranded were aided. A well-known Paris artist brought to the attention of the Committee a number of such persons whose condition was really pitiable. Two Americans, for instance, were enabled to return to their home when they found themselves without means of livelihood in France. Another who was in the depths of discourage- ment and poverty was given assistance from the fund, held an exhibition of his pictures and found a ready sale for his work from that time on. To teachers, students and professors who were de- prived of their employment by the outbreak of the war much needed help was given. Cooperating with a Protestant clergyman the Com- mittee was able to extend aid to a number of Protes- tant families who were in dire need. A little Paris street urchin who was trying to sup- port a younger sister, and who was literally without a cent, was taken in overnight by one member of the Committee, aided financially by the fund and helped to secure a position. An American nurse who had married a French 47 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR soldier was delighted by the complete layette provided for her baby by the War Relief Fund. A young Jewish woman from Algiers, with a blind husband and a large family of children, was given much needed assistance. Some Russian ladies whose home in Rheims had been destroyed by bombardment, were most grateful for financial help. A Finn whose demands upon the fund were exorbi- tant and unreasonable, was healed and later frankly acknowledged the help received and secured a good position. Another Finn was given enough money to take him to Switzerland, where he worked among the prisoners of war. An Austrian in an internment camp wrote to the Committee for a copy of Science and Health in the German translation. One was sent him through the fund and when last heard from he was conducting Christian Science services in that camp. An old German couple who loved France and had made it their home for some thirty years, were recom- mended to the Committee as worthy of assistance. Financial aid was given them and they both became interested in Christian Science and were loaned a copy of the textbook. The Committee gave them small sums to buy little additional necessities and they were later returned to Germany. Such was their love for Christian Science that they said their only joy would be to find some Scientists in Germany. Through the Red Cross they sent word that they had found friends among the Scientists who were caring for them. One Spanish family looked up by the Committee were found literally starving; they had no bedding, 48 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA no furniture, no fire, though the weather was severe, and but one broken cup. The husband was a copper- plate engraver before the war and had been brought to this state of destitution because he had had no work. His family was helped until a position was secured for him. One might mention also cases of Poles, Swedes, Italians and Armenians who had help from the fund which indeed literally fulfilled the words on page 13 of Science and Health, "Love is impartial and univer- sal in its adaptation and bestowals." The sculptress of whom mention was previously made was a Christian Scientist. Finding that there was no market for the products of her art, she turned her energy to toy making. With some slight assistance from the fund, she began to make dolls. Their origi- nality proved so successful and attractive that they soon made a place for themselves in the large shops in Paris as well as abroad. The demand grew so rapidly that the sculptress was forced to employ someone to assist her and was eventually able to give work to as many as eleven women. Thus did the seed sown on good soil spring up and bring forth fruit an hundred- fold. In many cases the desire was expressed to know something of that which was affording such help and eventually some became earnest students of Christian Science. The work was carried on along these lines, helping individuals of all nationalities and of all sects and denominations, until the beginning of 1917 when it was found that the fund could be made to flow through broader channels so as to help in relieving 49 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR the distress in the regions of France which had been invaded and which were being gradually liberated by the advance of the Allies. During the year of 1917, ninety- two individual cases, of which thirty-six were Christian Scientists, were helped and it was decided to extend help also to the liberated districts in which the returning inhabi- tants were in the utmost need. The circular letter which follows was sent to the authorities of these regions. "THE MOTHER CHURCH WAR RELIEF FUND "(The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts ) "From the Office of the Paris Committee "To the Mayor : "We have the honor of calling to your attention a fund known as 'The Mother Church War Relief Fund,' created by the gifts of Christian Scientists in the United States and other parts of the world for the purpose of helping war suf- ferers. Contributions already made by Christian Scientists to this Fund exceed a million and a half francs. "The Paris Committee responsible for the distribution of that portion of the fund allotted to France has been estab- lished since the early months of the war and has already dis- tributed a substantial sum in relieving suffering in this coun- try. "The use of the fund is not confined to any particular sect but extends to all sufferers regardless of religion or other distinction and the Paris Committee would be glad to extend its benefits to sufferers in your Commune if such help would be acceptable. "As access to your Commune by civilians is practically impossible, we are not in a position to get in touch with the 50 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA cases most worthy of help as we have elsewhere. The Commit- tee would therefore be very glad to consider applications sent to them, through you or any other authority, with re- gard to individual cases needing assistance. Applications may also be sent through any local Committee or organization that is working to help war sufferers in your Commune. Each application should be accompanied by a few details as to the present financial circumstances and need. "May I add that the details of any application that you may desire to submit to us will be treated confidentially and considered in the most kindly spirit. "We beg to remain, "Very sincerely yours, "President of the Committee." This letter was sent to 159 Prefects, Senators, Deputies and Mayors in the departments of the Pas de Calais, Nord, Somme, Oise, Aisne and Marne and called forth a very general and enthusiastic response. At the request of the Deputy of St. Quentin members of our Committee were able to visit some portions of the devastated districts of the Aisne in order to have some adequate concept of the havoc wrought and of the present need of the inhabitants. The condition of one village will give a specific idea of what they found. Beauvois had before the war a population of between 7000 and 8000 people. An expert's examination showed that in the whole town there were only twelve buildings capable of being repaired. The result was that there was no civil population left. As soon, how- ever, as they were repatriated the inhabitants of these desolate villages would make their way back to what was formerly their home and the Mayors and Depu- ties would endeavor to find means to provide them with shelter and food. 51 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR The Mayor of Moy, for example, applied to the Committee to help twenty-five necessitous cases from his village. The whole village had. been razed to the ground and the inhabitants were being repatriated by way of Switzerland. There was no one to help them ex- cept the Mayor. He had exhausted all of his personal resources, and came to our Committee at a moment when he was in despair at not being able to meet the very pressing need of a number of families. The Com- mittee aided the twenty-five families with sums aver- aging from 50 to 100 francs ($10 to $20) per family. This was in August, 1917, and similar help was given in December of that year. Another particularly interesting case was that pre- sented to the Committee by the Mayor of Orchies, Departement du Nord. "Dear Sir : "I have the honor to acknowledge your favor of July 14. I am tremendously grateful for the interest you are kind enough to take in my unfortunate fellow citizens. Our city, almost completely burned by the Germans on September 25, 1914, is still in their hands. "I correspond at present with 450 soldiers, 125 prisoners and 350 civilians. At first I was able to send help to the mobilized men and to the prisoners ; but the modest resources which I had at my disposal were soon exhausted and public charity solicited on every side, could do no more for my poor citizens. "I call your kind attention especially to the Prisoners of Orchies. These unfortunate men cannot receive anything from their families, for most of them are still in the invaded dis- tricts. The prisoners, therefore, are entirely destitute and to my great regret, it is impossible for me to reply to their urgent appeals. "This is why I should be very grateful to you if you could 52 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA help them a little. If you wish I can send you a list of the prisoners. "I alone take care of the inhabitants of Orchies, whether mobilized, prisoners, or repatriated, and it would be a great relief and a profound satisfaction to me if their condition could be somewhat relieved. "Thanking you in advance for whatever you may be kind enough to do for them, and in this hope, I beg you to accept the assurance of my highest esteem." The answer to this appeal is appended as it shows the method adopted by the Comite Franpais in dealing with such cases. "Monsieur le Maire : "Our Committee has received your letter of July 31, in which you inform us of the needs of the people of Orchies and they are pleased to write you that they desire to divide the sum of 1500 francs among the most needy cases. "Be so kind, then, as to send the names and present addresses of those whose needs you consider the most urgent, adding some data as to their actual condition, and please suggest the amount you think advisable to give in each case. As soon as we receive this list we shall be glad to send the money orders. "Very sincerely yours, "President of the Committee." From one of the recipients of this aid, a prisoner of war, came the following note, which is typical of many others. "Friedericksfeld, December 2, 1917. "Mademoiselle : "I have received the money order for 12.50 francs which you had the kindness to send me at the request of the Mayor of Orchies. This money will be most useful to me and I am very grateful to have it. "Sincerely yours," 53 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR During a hard winter, the Committee was able to provide about 1200 refugee children in Amiens with warm clothing at a cost of 25,000 francs, and it also gave substantial grants to the various Foyers du Sol- dat in France. These Foyers correspond to our Y. M. C. A. huts and have been of immense help and comfort to the French Poilus since their establish- ment. A large building in the center of Amiens had been equipped to reeducate mutilated soldiers and fit them to earn their own living. It was found that it cost 800 francs per person to complete this education. Our Committee felt it right to encourage this work by taking upon itself the education of five new cases. In addition, money to supply an artificial leg was sent to a young mason, who had been wounded in the battle of the Marne. He was taken prisoner by the Germans, and after having his leg amputated was sent back to France. Here, on his own initiative, he studied and attended university classes and qualified as a public school teacher. Hundreds of individuals whose names were sub- mitted to our Committee through their Mayor or Pre- fect, or through some relief society, received aid. With touching gratitude the recipients would state in their letters of acknowledgment that the money had been used to buy shoes for children who had been forced to go barefoot ; to purchase furniture for those who had been sleeping on straw; to procure a woolen blanket as a protection against the rigors of winter; to clothe destitute families ; to provide comforts for a sick mother ; to send a package to a father, a prisoner of war in Germany; to replace farming implements 54 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA destroyed by the invader ; to eke out an income which was supporting ten persons, and so on indefinitely. This brings us in our story to the eventful year 1918, when the Paris churches asked The Mother Church to send workers to meet the growing number of calls for help from the Americans who were com- ing overseas, and also to help organize more efficient relief in the terribly desolated and devastated districts of France. Early in the year a delegate was sent over by The Mother Church to investigate conditions and to make a report to the Directors as to the best way of co- operating with the War Relief Committee already operating in Paris, in order to help both the American troops and the refugees. The visit of this representa- tive, accompanied by a worker who remained perma- nently in France, strengthened and helped the Paris workers at a most difficult time. Immediately upon his return ten workers were sent to France by the Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church. They arrived in Paris during one of the most critical periods of the war, when the city was being bombarded by day by "Big Bertha" and by night by the German "Gothas," which visited the city as often as five times in one week. The Germans were also ad- vancing so rapidly on Paris that it was felt that some- thing should be done at once to enable the congrega- tions of both the Paris churches to leave the city if they so desired. The Manager of the War Relief Committee met the Comite Franpais and they discussed the question fully, with the result that 5000 francs were imme- diately advanced to each church to be used by the 55 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR members in case of need, which money was to be accounted for by the respective members of the Com- mittee. Some forty families were helped by this fund and it was indeed a very vital thing to them to be able to put their children in safety outside of Paris or to feel that they had by them a sum of money sufficient to cover the expense of leaving Paris if it became urgently necessary to do so. In not a few cases the people who had been granted this money returned the same to the Committee as they felt so certain a sense of divine protection that they remained in Paris in spite of seemingly desperate conditions. During 1918 some 100 individual cases were helped, of which 48 were Scientists. The coming to France of the War Relief Workers opened new channels by which help could be extended to war sufferers. These workers were established at Bordeaux, Brest, Tours, St. Nazaire, Langres, Nevers, Nantes, Le Mans and Romorantin, and all were asked to send particulars to the Comite Fran- pais of cases needing help. A letter to the Mayor of each of these cities setting forth in some detail the objects and aims of the fund and the work already accomplished by it, was deliv- ered by our representative in person, together with a check for the relief of war sufferers in each of these districts. The amounts delivered to the various agen- cies aggregated 40,000 francs. In every case the War Relief Worker was most courteously received by the Mayor of the town. In Le Mans particularly our Worker reports : 56 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA "The Mayor seemed appreciative and keenly sensitive to the relationship established between his office and this Depot through this gift. He controlled his emotions with some diffi- culty, his eyes filled with tears and his feelings seemed to be deeply moved." Such a careful survey of the needs of the town was made by the Mayor and so much good work was accomplished that the Committee felt it right to grant an additional 2500 francs to this Depot. That the motive animating our relief work was understood in some measure is evident from the fol- lowing, which appeared in a newspaper of November 10, 1918, called L'Aisne. "It is not by almsgiving in the name of their religion so widely spread in America, that they seek to aid the victims of the war. It is rather by placing in each man's hand an instrument by which he can overcome evil and so eventually efface all trace of calamity, including war. "Is there any more beautiful religion than the overcoming of evil? Science, allied with this noble idea of Christianity, which for centuries has taken root in the world, becomes a means of uplifting the individual and his family both mate- rially and morally. "The wounds to be healed are innumerable. Universal brotherhood which is the'basis of the doctrine of Christian Science finds its work here. The motive of the Christian Science War Relief Fund is to put into the hands of persons in distress the means of re-creating by their own efforts an independent position." From June, 1918, onwards, the work of the Coniite Franpais has tended more and more towards helping the inhabitants of the devastated regions. The swift advance, followed by the swifter retreat of the Ger- 57 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR mans, created the most difficult and distressing condi- tions for the civil population and there was practically no preparation to meet these conditions. Therefore, it was deemed right to send all the help possible into these areas. This the Committee did in many instances by giving a lump sum for the use of a particular town or region, this sum to be distributed by trustworthy channels such as the Comite de VAi&ne, and the Comite Lyon- St.-Quentin, to whom the sum of 25,000 and 5000 francs were given respectively, at a time of great stress. After the German retreat the sum of 30,000 francs was given to the city of St. Quentin and to a region west of this place which had been practically destroyed in the recent fighting, and out of this money, among other things, twenty sewing machines were purchased and placed in various centers. They were known as the "Village Machines" and were used in turn by all the inhabitants. The sum of 30,000 francs was also sent to the village of Wavrin, some ten miles south of Lille. This village, which before the war had 5000 inhabi- tants, all of them superior mechanics, was occupied by the Germans for four years, and in October, 1918, all the inhabitants were evacuated and sent into Bel- gium. The Germans then put a bomb in each house, and on leaving the town blew them all up. The inhabi- tants returned on foot from Belgium towards the end of December, a few at a time, and when the chairman of the Comite Francais visited the place on December 20, some 2100 people were camping in the ruins, with- out beds or bedding. The French authorities were able to send only a consignment of food to keep them from 58 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA starving and the money sent by the Comite Franpais provided for a substantial distribution of bedding, blankets, warm clothing and boots. When permission was secured from the French Government to ship consignments of clothing made by the Comforts Forwarding Committees in the United States much joy was felt in France. Five shipments have been sent, a total of 558 cases, con- taining clothing and comforts of various kinds. It may be of interest to state that among the garments in- cluded were bathrobes, shirts, vests, blouses, suits, trousers, for men and boys; chemises, nightgowns, drawers, petticoats, stockings, union suits, dresses, skirts, bonnets, aprons for women and girls; babies' layettes with blankets, bootees, capes, caps, night- dresses, petticoats, sacks, shirts, stockings, diapers, bibs and afghans. Knitted articles including helmets, mittens, shawls, socks, sweaters, caps, wristers, trench caps and many bolts of flannel to be made into new garments were also forwarded in large quantities. We can probably realize only faintly the comfort which such shipments have brought to inhabitants returning to such desolate places as Arras, Bapaume, Bethune, Loos, Lens, etc. The distribution of the first shipment was made by the wife of one of the French deputies in the depart- ment of the Aisne, who exercised the greatest care and wisdom in giving the articles to those who were most needy. The second lot went to the department of the Nord, and the third and fourth to Arras. The work of the French Committee will continue until no further need of its services is apparent. 59 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR Of the fruit of its work it is heartening to think in the words of one of our hymns : "No act falls fruitless ; none can tell How vast its pow'r may be ; Nor what results enfolded dwell Within it silently." — Christian Science Hymnal. 60 Ill HELPING HALIFAX On Thursday, December 6, 1917, the people of Hali- fax appealed to the world for help in their distress caused by the collision of two steamers, the Mont Blanc and the Imo, and the resulting explosion and fire. Immediately the Christian Science organization responded. The Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church appointed a committee of five members to proceed to Halifax with relief. Obstacles such as storm, limitation of time, and lack of trans- portation at once presented themselves. No through train was available on Saturday when the Committee was to leave; therefore the Board of Directors author- ized arrangements with the Boston & Maine Railroad to finance a special train from Bangor to Halifax. Large supplies of clothing were quickly gathered and placed on the train, and at 7.30 p.m., Saturday, De- cember 8, the Committee left Boston in a terrific snow- storm, "to go," as one member said with uplifted thought, "not to a city of disaster, but to a city whose builder and maker is God, a city of harmony, in the ever-present kingdom of heaven." About thirty people besides the Christian Science party made up the passenger list on the special train. There were doctors, nurses, newspaper reporters, and those bound for Halifax who were seeking out rela- tives. These were grateful indeed for the opportunity 61 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR which had so unexpectedly opened for them to reach Halifax twenty-four hours sooner than otherwise would have been possible. The privilege of sending goods to Halifax was extended to those along the route of travel. The journey was happy and harmonious. One man on the train testified that he had eaten his first normal breakfast in ten years that Sunday morning and felt no distress. He attributed this healing to the helpful association with Christian Scientists, and listened with marked interest to explanations of Christian Science. Ours was the third relief train to start for Halifax. At St. John, New Brunswick, the Committee was met by a delegation of about twenty-five Scientists, who were eager to extend any aid possible. They offered to forward oil stoves and food if there were need of them, and a small number were ready to join the party immediately if necessary. Both of the previous trains were held up at Truro, sixty miles from Halifax, one for half a day, and the other for five hours, and trainmen prophesied that this would prove a similar case. As when in the pre- ceding hours obstacles of storm and lack were over- come, so now, thought was uplifted to perceive the freedom of the Sons of God and to know that there could be no delay in Mind's activity. The train re- mained in Truro but ten minutes. An inspector boarded the train and during his conversation said that the delegation could get no nearer the city than the five-mile limit. Again God's power was relied upon, and the following morning, Monday, Decem- ber 10, upon rising the Committee found themselves in the heart of the city, their train having been the 62 HELPING HALIFAX first to pass under a badly burned bridge and through the devastated region. In the cold gray of the morning they went forth, with but little knowledge of the conditions, destruc- tion meeting the eye at every turn; nevertheless the inspiration of Love, of God's ever-presence, so rilled their thought that radiant smiles and boundless energy for work were manifested. The party left the train about seven o'clock and proceeded to the hotel, where they were met by a member of the Halifax church, who gratefully re- ported that all the Christian Scientists were safe. The goods brought by the Committee were taken to the Masonic Hall, the central relief station for the dis- tribution of all clothing and were immediately dis- tributed to the destitute people who awaited relief. The Christian Science literature they had carried was taken to the Immigration Office from whence it was distributed to hotels, news stands, churches, and the Y. M. C. A. All were eager to receive it, especially the Monitors, as no newspapers had entered Halifax since the morning of the catastrophe. During their stay our party worked with the gen- eral committee at the Masonic Hall in distributing clothing to those who had lost all they possessed. When there came a shortage of particular articles of clothing, some member of the Committee would go to local stores and buy these goods. At other times they took to the stores those individuals who needed spe- cial garments and were unable to obtain correct sizes or kinds from the miscellaneous supplies at the relief station. Again, when there appeared a lack of sup- plies to fill rush orders for the refugees, someone on the Committee completed the order by purchasing the 63 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR needed articles at local stores. The ready cash at hand was thus utilized to best advantage at these particular crises. In the meantime, in Boston, arrangements were made for special collections in The Mother Church, and also in many of the branch churches in other cities, and the Comforts Forwarding Committee pre- pared to gather clothing and supplies. Many indi- viduals, learning of the need, sent donations. The following are examples of the many messages re- ceived : "I enclose a check for fifty dollars as a contribution for the Halifax Relief Fund. I see by the Monitor that the need is still great, and am grateful to have the chance to share a small amount with those in need." "I enclose one dollar for the Halifax Relief Fund. It is very small, but I wanted to add this to the collection taken Sunday, for which I was not prepared. I am so grateful to the Directors of The Mother Church for their beautiful and generous response to the cry for help from Halifax. It is an inspiration for me to work better." The Christian Science Board of Directors wired the Relief Committee that they would supply a fully equipped field kitchen, with four men, and also food if needed. In view of the improved conditions, this offer could not be accepted, but the chairmen of the different committees in Halifax expressed their deep appreciation for the offer. On every side the Christian Science Committee heard words of commendation for their own work and for the generosity of the Christian Science Church. One of the prominent committee chairmen said to two members, and later to a third member of the 64 HELPING HALIFAX Christian Science Committee: "I have never wit- nessed such a manifestation of true Christianity in my life. In the past I have always spoken against Chris- tian Science, but I have done it for the last time." An extract from his letter, written upon the return of the Committee to Boston, is interesting: "There is one outstanding feature in connection with the whole affair, and that is the promptitude with which the people of Boston and Massachusetts in general came to our assistance. . . . No words of mine can express to you, your party, and your Church, the thanks of Halifax for the promptness with which you arrived on the scene, the goods you brought with you, and last but not least, the sympathy you showed and the willingness with which you undertook any work that came first to your hand." A physician of Greater Boston, who was in Hali- fax on relief work, in a letter to the Committee on its return to Boston, wrote the following: "Your whole committee proved their worth many times over, by their ever-readiness to do the most menial tasks, and to give aid to everyone who was in need, and indeed there were many. May I thank you again for the courtesy you showed us, and accept this as an appreciation of the altru- istic attitude of your Committee as a whole." The coming of the Committee clearly brought joy and inspiration to the Christian Scientists of Halifax. After the explosion took place, many were depressed, and were glad to receive this comforting aid. Many told of the uplift of thought which came to them when they received word of what the Directors of The Mother Church had planned. The Wednesday eve- ning meeting was one never to be forgotten. Expres- sion after expression of gratitude was given for the 65 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR protection received by the individuals through their understanding of the teachings of Christian Science. Out of a congregation of about eighty people, only one had been injured physically, and that one only slightly. All who spoke expressed deepest thanks to the Board of Directors for the loving thought which prompted them to send aid through the Committee. It seemed at this meeting as if all present opened their hearts and gave full vent to the love and grati- tude they felt: gratitude to God, to Christ Jesus, the Wayshower, to our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, to the Board of Directors of The Mother Church, and to the Relief Committee. Those present will never forget the wonderful inspiration received and the love and gratitude expressed by all. At the conclusion of the regular meeting, the mem- bers of the church congregated in an adjoining room. They were told by our Committee of the money ready for their use in restoring the church edifice and in aiding the members and others who were in need. A Committee was appointed by the Directors of The Mother Church in Boston, consisting of Chris- tian Scientists of Halifax, to whom was given author- ity to expend the funds donated by the Christian Science field. The relief afforded by the funds was not limited to any religious creed. The Committee co- operated with the existing relief organizations and social workers, in order that their work might not overlap the activity of the others. Certain cases which the public funds could not properly and fully relieve were the special care of the Committee. Appropriate memoranda were kept, forming a basis for the investi- gation of each claim brought to the attention of the Committee by the Halifax Commission. 66 o ft s cs o HELPING HALIFAX From the very start, the work was done quietly and effectively. First, the Christian Science Church structure was repaired, and no claim was presented to the city or to their Commission for damages to the church property. Next, those members of the church who had suffered damages to their homes were re- imbursed. Then individual cases of great need were investigated and helped. Donations were made to various organizations which were engaged in helping the sufferers: the Y. M. C. A., Community Hall, Protestant Orphans' Home, Halifax Playgrounds Commission, Halifax Welfare Bureau, the Jost Mission under Methodist Auspices, Bureau of Social Service, Y. W. C. A. and the Old Ladies' Home. Braille Christian Science literature was provided for the blind. A number of one-year subscriptions to the Monitor were placed in hotels, the Naval Y. M. C. A., and given to some prominent social workers. Lastly, the Committee, in agreement with the Board of Directors of The Mother Church, established a down- town reading room, in order to reach the public in a more direct way than the former reading room in the church structure could do. Here was a great oppor- tunity to reach soldiers, sailors, and refugees from the devastated region, and the establishment of the read- ing room could truly aid the situation created by the explosion. As the Committee had gone a long way toward helping along material lines, they felt that now there should be an opportunity to make Chris- tian Science felt locally through its literature and periodicals. The Christian Science Church in Halifax aided in the support of this downtown reading room. The amounts expended by the Committee are given elsewhere. 67 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR The following are excerpts from a few of the many letters of appreciation for the aid rendered through the Christian Science Halifax Relief Committee: "I wish to acknowledge with grateful appreciation the receipt of your generous check of $25 for the benefit of the girls who lost their sight in the explosion. I regret that you can only enjoy a reflection of the pleasure it has given me to supply them with a comfortable chair for use in the morning." "On behalf of the Committee of Management of the Old Ladies' Home, I thank you for the kind gift of one hundred dollars towards the equipment of our kitchenette, and fifty dollars towards the support and comfort of Mrs. X." "I want to thank you most warmly for the way in which you have helped me in my recent illness. I received your checks weekly, and found them most acceptable. I am so glad to be able to go to work again." "Enclosed please find receipted bill for $50, generously given to Mrs. B by your committee for her board and care. Will you allow me to express our thanks and appreciation to the givers for their wish to help one who has suffered severely because of the explosion. I telephoned my personal thanks for the $25 you sent me. This note gives me an extra chance to say 'Thank you' many times for your most un- expected gift to one who certainly has been in no uncertain way a victim of the terrible disaster of December 6th, in material things. In closing, I would like to add that I appre- ciate more than all the kindly way you listened to my tale of woe in behalf of a few of the sufferers of the disaster. The thought of burdens lightened may well give to all those who have given so largely in dollars for relief, the rest that comes each night with the knowledge that someone, some- where, is the better for our giving and doing." 68 HELPING HALIFAX "Owing to the pressure of work involved in the removal of the old ladies back to their home, the Committee of Man- agement has not been able to hold its regular monthly meet- ing, but I cannot longer refrain from acknowledging the most kind and exceedingly welcome gift of your Committee. The old ladies have lost so many things dear to them from old associations, as well as much that was useful, and have been so brave, cheerful, and courageous all through, that we are rejoiced to be able, through your munificent and most thoughtful gift, to make up to them their personal losses. With sincerest thanks to your Committee and yourself for this further kindness." "Permit me to thank you for your letter and a cheque for $1000 which I received this morning to be applied to the Playground work on the Exhibition Grounds and Commons. I shall bring this matter before the Playground Association at an early date and they will, I know, express their thanks to you. ... It is a most generous gift and I know will 'bring large returns in the development of character of the children who have been stricken in the Halifax disaster." 69 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR NEWSPAPER COMMENT ON HALIFAX EXPEDITION CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS DO RELIEF WORK Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, December 17, 1917 Editor Nonpareil : — Splendid work was done by the Chris- tian Scientists of Boston in rushing aid to the stricken city of Halifax. Finding* no through train from Boston available on Saturday, the day of the recent disaster in that city, representatives of the church arranged for a special train which left Boston in a storm, but outran it, and speeded northward carrying aid to the Halifax sufferers in the shape of clothing and supplies as well as $10,000 in cash and letters of credit. When it became known in Boston that this special train had been arranged for, other relief workers asked permission to take passage on it, which was readily granted and thirty or forty Red Cross workers and physicians with supplies accompanied the Scientists. A collection taken Sunday in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston amounted to $4693.04. There was no time to give notice in advance of this collection. Collections were also arranged by many of the branch churches, which have not yet been reported. Post, Chicago, Illinois, December 13, 1917 Boston, December 13. — The presence of doctors and nurses on board a Christian Science special seems a strange contradiction. Yet it happened on the relief train sent by the Christian Science Board of Directors here to the imme- diate succor of Halifax. It became known today that the Directors chartered a special in order to rush thru $10,000 contributed in cash and thousands of dollars' worth of food and warm clothing. As the train was being made up, city 70 HELPING HALIFAX hall officials telephoned that a number of physicians, sur- geons and trained nurses wished to make the trip, and found that it was practically impossible. They, therefore, asked per- mission to go on the Christian Science special. Permission was instantly granted and some forty doctors and their assistants rode to Halifax in company with the Christian Scientists. , Daily Times Journal, Fort William, Ontario, Canada, December 19, 1917 The Christian Scientists of Boston, Mass., magnificently came to the assistance of the stricken people of Halifax, when they sent a special train from the Massachusetts capi- tal bearing relief of all kinds in clothing, provisions and sup- plies for the suffering, homeless and destitute. The train was met at St. John by a committee of promi- nent business men. Accompanying this splendid donation was the sum of $10,000 in cash. Hearing of the departure of the relief special, thirty or forty Red Cross officials asked per- mission to accompany the train, and leave was willingly granted. It was an unusual spectacle — a train of relief from the mother Christian Scientist church in Boston, with lead- ing church officials in charge, and Red Cross officers with them, all bent on the one errand of mercy — the relief of suf- fering. A collection taken in the mother Christian Science church in Boston last Sunday for the Halifax relief fund, in answer to an appeal, elicited the splendid response of $4693.14. Special appeals were made in Port Arthur last Sunday in the Christian Science church, and when the returns are all in it is expected that $50 will be forthcoming from this small coterie of generous people. Argus Leader, Sioux Palls, South Dakota, December 18, 1917 Sorrow and suffering are often the mellowing influence required to drive the steel from the hearts of men. With all 71 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR its horror and terrific toll, the world war brings its good, its softer tones and better aims. When the explosion occurred at Halifax with its tre- mendous loss of life and havoc wrought about the city, the Christian Science society at Boston jumped into the breach with practical aid. Its directors chartered a special train to Halifax, took along $10,000 in cash raised from their members, and loaded it down with clothing, food and necessary supplies. The Red Cross and some charitable organizations had desired to take the same steps but were unable to secure transportation. They asked permission of the Christian Scientists to ship aboard their special and it was promptly granted. This train impelled by love and helpfulness, the right thing at the right time, rushed on to Halifax with Christian Scientists and doctors rubbing elbows. Each aimed at the same goal, each was on a mission of mercy, inspired by love of God to help their fellow man who needed aid. 'Tis said that sorrow makes us all akin. Each is created in the image of Divinity and controlled by one Intelligence. Do soldiers in the trenches stop to question by what faith their comrades seek to enter heaven? When facing death do they inquire the church to which the other fellow belongs? They only know that he is one of them — their fellow man. And with the war comes tolerance of other men's ideals, the love that grows from common cause. With back to wall, with heads held high in righteousness, we all must face the foe that threatens liberty, News Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota, December 20, 1917 STRANGE BEDFELLOWS Catastrophe, as well as war and politics, makes strange bedfellows. But nothing stranger has happened than this. As soon as the wreck of Halifax was flashed to Boston, The Mother Church of Christian Science raised $10,000 in cash, 72 HELPING HALIFAX secured a special train, loaded it with supplies and with the cash and supplies was ready to speed relief to the stricken city. The officials of Boston, trying to get a special train, found the Scientists were a lap ahead of them, and special trains are not easy to get these days. The Red Cross made a like discovery. Both city and Red Cross hurried to The Mother Church officials. On schedule time that train pulled away from Boston loaded with the workers, supplies and money of the Church of Christ, Scientist, with doctors and medicines from the city of Boston and with nurses and supplies from the Red Cross. Where has there been a more splendid sinking of human belief and opinion, of religious and personal prejudice, the forgetting of all revilings and enmities, in the bigger, nobler, holier faith in a common humanity? It recalls the tenth and eleventh Beatitudes, 73 IV CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CAMP WEL- FARE COMMITTEE As the great camp cities, scattered throughout the United States, established for the training of the army-to-be, took form in the summer and early fall of 1917, the necessity of providing for the spiritual welfare of the soldier Scientists already gathered there in considerable numbers began to press for attention. Exclusion by the War Department of all religious and benevolent organizations excepting the Y. M. je ^^^^^^^Sf ifflL 1 | | 11 -w* -„„.-■>,■■■■••-■■-■- .-•"■*'• Interior, War Relief Depot, Nevers, France Christian Science War Relief Headquarters, Bordeaux, France WITH THE A. E. F. IN FRANCE "Insufficient room in this to contain my gratitude." "First warm place I've found in France." "A mighty cheerful place." "Tres bien maison" (A. E. F. French!) "More like home than anything I've found in ten months." In one of their reports the Workers wrote : "We have proved, that love is the universal language. A touching incident of this occurred in the Reading Room recently. A young French boy who has been coming in to read the French-English edition of the textbook and who does not speak a word of English, found expression for his gratitude in actions rather than words. One evening we found him working in the office with the American boys, stamping Christian Science Monitors, and he showed by his beaming countenance that he was thoroughly enjoying the work. At another time when the necessity arose for making a sign in French for the window, he eagerly offered to make one, and it is now in its place." The Workers received many letters and telegrams from boys in distant camps and hospitals, desiring treatment or literature. In some instances they re- sponded in person, traveling sometimes several hun- dred miles by train or motor in order to give the heal- ing message of Truth, or to render some human service which meant so much to the giver and receiver. Early in January the Worker visited a classification and evacuation camp at St. Aignan (a day's jour- ney by motor) to render assistance to a boy who had been waiting six weeks for his Service Record Card to arrive from the Central Records' Office. Upon investi- gation, the error was uncovered and corrected. The boy in question was thus enabled to leave immediately for an embarkation port. It also released over 2000 195 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR others who had been delayed for the same reason, another proof that "whatever blesses one blesses all." (Science and Health, page 206.) In another report our Workers write: "It has been interesting to learn how divine Love has led the boys to find the Reading Rooms or to write for help. One boy who had been in a near-by hospital for several weeks told of his demonstration. As he lay on his cot, he took up the thought of the Vine and its branches, using the 15th chapter of John. He said he likened the Vine to The Mother Church. Being a member of this church, he knew he was also one with its branches and all its branch activities and could not be separated from them ; and he knew that divine Mind would reveal to him the way to find a practitioner. For several days nothing unfolded, but he continued faithful in his meta- physical work. Then one day his nurse brought him a Paris edition of the New York Herald, wherein he found the list of the Christian Science War Relief Depots in France. He immediately wrote to the Committee at Nevers and is now with the Army of Occupation in Germany." Of the French, our Workers wrote as follows: "During the past month, numbers of French soldiers have been returning to their homes to take up their normal activi- ties. Several have visited our Rooms, telling us that they had learned about Christian Science from their comrades at the front. French-English editions of Science and Health were sold to four of these soldiers and they were also supplied with Le Heraut de Christian Science. "A young Frenchman who has been attending our services since the opening of the rooms, recently purchased through the Committee a French translation of the Bible and the textbook. He studies the Lesson-Sermons from Le Heraut. "A vest-pocket edition of the textbook was sold to a Frenchwoman who had been a regular attendant at our serv- 196 WITH THE A. E. F. IN FRANCE ices. She has recently left for Algiers to take up her vocation of teaching. "A French officer who had been disabled sent a relative to the Reading Rooms for literature. He had learned of Chris- tian Science from an American soldier in the trenches. "Another sale of the French-English Science and Health was made to a Frenchwoman living in an adjacent town. She had read Le Heraut and pamphlets which she procured at our Rooms. She wanted to investigate the subject further, .together with her sister who was suffering with a disease which the doctors diagnosed as incurable. In response to an urgent letter, one of the Workers made a special trip to deliver the textbook and found a very grateful family ready to receive it. "A few days before Christmas," says our Worker, "a cap- tain of a hospital unit which had just arrived at Mars called at our rooms in Nevers to inquire if we could provide him with any knitted goods or clothing for his patients. He said that his experience with the Christian Science organization in the States led him to assume that he would be taken care of with dispatch by our overseas representatives, hence his call. In less than twenty-four hours after the receipt of our wire, the Paris Committee secured a quantity of clothing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Committee in Paris and sent us a trunkful, which was distributed to the hospital unit the day before Christmas." The evacuation of the camps in the Nevers district was very rapid and the need for War Relief work diminished to such an extent that it was deemed advis- able to close the Reading Rooms on April 1, 1919. To quote again from our Workers' final report : "The benediction used at our last service very appro- priately concludes the work in this city. 'For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.' " 197 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR LE MANS In The American Embarkation News of May 17, 1919, a soldiers' publication printed at Le Mans, there appeared the following article : "The other day a soldier was passing the large gates back of which stands a great house at 13 rue Saint Dominique. Pointing to the building he remarked, 'Believe me, Joe, that place used to be home to me.' He was referring to the house formerly occupied by the Christian Science Welfare and Re- lief organization of Le Mans. Their headquarters have been moved to 35 and 37 rue la Paille at the intersection of rue de la Batterie and rue Bourge d'Augny, where reading and rest rooms are available for all soldiers who wish to enjoy them. "But it was at rue Saint Dominique that soldiers found a little paradise of a place. A large, roomy building, wonder- fully furnished with heavy, soft rugs in which you lost your feet, windows shaded with pretty curtains and walls covered with mirrors and art studies greeted the soldier. It was just like home. . . . "A large fine-toned grand piano was at the disposal of the men. Unique little tables served the soldiers with places to write and there was always plenty of good stationery. The fact is, the Christian Science Welfare and Relief rooms at 13 rue Saint Dominique were one of those places where a soldier wanted to clean his shoes on the outside and remove his hat as he entered the door. "One of the delightful things about this place, which was so popular with the boys, was the quiet that reigned there. There was no noise, no hubbub and one could spend a few hours in the reading room absolutely undisturbed. . . . There are perhaps few men in and about Le Mans who have not spent an hour or two in the place and who will not acknowledge, like the fellow quoted in the first paragraph, that the place was really a home. 198 WITH THE A. E. F. IN FRANCE "The welfare and relief work of the Christian Science people here in Le Mans has been done without display or circus advertising. They have been handicapped in that they were not in the same status as the other organizations. Hav- ing done their work quietly and served their purpose well, without ostentation, many of the men who have been stationed in Le Mans, and others who have passed through here, will long remember the unique place which the organization played in the welfare of the soldier of the United States in France. Thus in their frank way do the boys sum up the work of the War Relief Depot established in Le Mans. The original house referred to in this article was situated at 13 rue Saint Dominique in the center of the business section of the city and on a main traveled street. It contained nine rooms, including a large salon used to receive visitors and for Sunday services. Adjoining this was the Reading Room, opening into two smaller rooms, an office and a mailing room re- spectively. There were also living quarters for the Workers and two additional bedrooms. These last- mentioned chambers served an unusual purpose. Our Workers found that many army officers, particularly chaplains (whose headquarters were in Le Mans while awaiting assignment) were unable to obtain sleeping accommodations and were often forced to spend the night on the streets. Our rooms, which could accommodate five men, were placed at the disposal of such officers, and during one month some thirty-four chaplains were sheltered in the War Relief house. This was with mutual benefit to both host and guests, and several men became sufficiently interested in Christian Science to request a copy of the textbook before departing for their post of duty. 199 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR Le Mans was a most important city from the stand- point of the A. E. F. Situated between Paris and the coast, on the main railroad line, it became the second depot area of the Service of Supply. From a normal population of 70,000 the war refugees swelled this number to 125,000, without reference to the American troops in billets and barracks near the city. The area included in the Le Mans district was 500 square miles, in which were stationed an average of 40,000 men. As our Workers wrote in one of their reports: "Everyone had a tremendous amount of work to