THE study of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, began in Sydney about the year 1896, when a few copies of this book were obtained in various ways by people quite unknown to one another; but as they studied eagerly and put into practise what they learned, the healing effect of this revelation of Truth and Love became noticeable in many ways. It then became the earnest desire of these seekers to help others to find in the study of this wonderful book the comfort and blessing which had thus been unfolded to them, and in 1899 some of these students, having come into touch with The Christian Science Publishing Society, and obtained The Christian Science Quarterly, were studying the Lesson-Sermons and meeting on Sunday.
The first regular Sunday service was established in April, 1900, and a little later a Wednesday evening testimony meeting was added. These meetings were held in a private house in one of the suburbs of Sydney. In three months the attendance had increased to thirty-six, and it was decided to look for a hall in a central location. A subscription list was accordingly opened, and a room in Queen Victoria markets, in the center of the city, was rented. This room was suitably furnished as a hall and reading-room, and the Sydney Christian Science Society held its opening service on Sunday morning, Sept. 30, 1900. The society thus inaugurated gained steadily in numbers and many demonstrations of healing were given at the testimony meeting on Wednesday evening, each individual expressing gratitude for help received from the study of the text-book or from the other literature of The Christian Science Publishing Society, which was by this time in full circulation. On Sunday, Aug. 23, 1901, the Sunday school was opened with an attendance of sixteen children, which soon increased to more than double that number.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney, was organized on Dec. 22, 1902, with a membership of fifteen. During the ten years from that date to the present time, this church has striven to spread abroad the truth of Christian Science through its now flourishing book depot, and also by means of its literature distribution committee, which has received many letters expressing thanks and gratitude for the literature, besides giving accounts of healing. On Christmas day," 1906, the Thanksgiving service was held for the first time. As there is no national Thanksgiving day in Australia, this date was decided upon as being a fitting occasion on which to express gratitude for the reappearing of the Christ healing. Later, the church was cheered by Mrs. Eddy's inspiring hymn, "Blest Christmas Morn." The first Christian Science lecture in Australia was given in Sydney in 1908, and, beginning with September, 1911, annual lectures have been delivered.
