The list of names and addresses of practitioners which appears each month in the Journal has grown to such an extent as to be unwieldy, and it has now become so much out of proportion to the number of pages of reading matter as to be a serious problem to the publishers, so serious that they are about to adopt new rules by which they hope to reduce this department to a size more nearly in keeping with its original purpose.
It has never been the intention of the publishers to make this list a complete directory of Christian Scientists, yet it has been so regarded by some who have inserted their cards in order to be officially identified with the Christian Science movement, while others have patronized this department as a means of contributing to the financial support of the denominational publications; and thus the distinctive character which was originally planned for this list has been more or less interfered with, and not a little disappointment has been occasioned to seekers after help who have applied to some of these advertisers only to find them unable to respond to their call.
During the period in which the present large list has been growing, the original and legitimate purpose of a directory of practitioners seems to have been more or less lost sight of, and it now becomes necessary to adopt rules which will conserve this original purpose and maintain the integrity of the Journal. The publishers feel sure that in their efforts to this end they will receive the cordial and helpful support of all Christian Scientists.
