THIRTEEN years ago Christian Science was practically unknown in the North of England. About that time a doctor practising in the neighborhood of Manchester heard of the healing through Christian Science of a relative in California, and decided to try it for a case of serious illness in his own home. Many inquiries were made as to the best way of finding a practitioner, and finally through the California relative the address of a Christian Scientist in London was obtained. The doctor immediately applied for help, and the daughter, who was said to be dying of tuberculosis, was healed. As a result of this healing, many so-called incurable cases in the doctor's practise were handed over to Christian Science for treatment, and were healed.
Soon, these people wished to have an opportunity of learning more of this healing truth, and services were accordingly commenced at the lodgings of the practitioner in Manchester, who had meanwhile been joined by another Christian Scientist from London. In a month or so the attendance had grown beyond the capacity of the little room, and it was determined to seek a larger and more public place for meeting. The difficulties in making this move seemed not a little formidable, for no hall or suitable place could be engaged because of the antagonism aroused by the healing of so many cases deemed by medicine and surgery to be incurable. The services were consequently suspended until January, 1901, when a wareroom in the center of the city was found. This room served its purpose until at the end of the year a house was rented in a residential part of Manchester, and here a reading-room and meeting-room were opened.
The first lecture in Manchester on Christian Science was given May 8, 1902, to a large audience. To the cable sent to Mrs. Eddy on this occasion she sent the following reply:—
