As Jacksonville and other Florida cities have numerous Christian Scientists among their people, although they are for the most part unorganized, it may interest the readers of the Times-Union this morning to learn that this, the newest really among the religious sects of the United States, already has 221 church organizations distributed over thirty-three states, 8,724 communicants or members, seven church edifices valued at $840,666 and with an aggregate seating capacity of 1,500, and 213 halls rented for church purposes and capable of seating 19,690 people. This sect is most numerous in Illinois, where there are 13 church organizations, 1 church edifice and 1,271 communicants, New York state being next with 28 church organizations (but no edifices) and 1,268 communicants. South Dakota and Florida have each two organizations of the Christian Scientists with exactly the same membership—33; Tennessee and Delaware have each one organization, with three members in each.
In Florida, Putnam and Walton counties have each one organization of Christian Scientists, but no church edifices, the worship being conducted in public halls; the membership in the Putnam county church is 15, in that of Walton county 18.
Of the Christian Scientists it may be stated briefly that they are those who believe that all ills of the body and all evils of whatever nature are subject to the healing power of Mind or Spirit.
