First Church of Christ, Scientist, New Haven, Conn.
PROBABLY one of the first incidents concerning New Haven, with respect to Christian Science, occurred when in 1879 Mrs. Eddy presented an autograph copy of its text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," to Noah Porter, at that time the honored president of Yale University. Some time afterward, President Porter presented it to the Yale library, where the volume now is.
In 1886 a physician of the old school, who had practised medicine in New Haven for forty-seven years, having become interested in Christian Science through the healing of his two daughters, closed his office and gave up medical practice. On Jan.10, 1887, this doctor and his wife entered a class which was taught by Mrs. Eddy. The doctor then opened his former office, located in the Boardman Building, corner of Chapel and State streets, as a Christian Science practitioner, where for some years he continued the practice of Christian Science healing. In connection with this event, it is a mutter of interest that the doctor's last patient under materia medica and his first in Christian Science was the same individual and one who for many years was a member of this church.
During August,1888, the first class in Christian Science in New Haven was taught by a loyal student of Mrs. Eddy. The first Christian Science church service was held in Fair Haven on a certain Sunday; thereafter meetings were held on Sundays and Friday afternoons, at the rooms of the practitioner above referred to. These rooms were occupied by the Christian Scientists until the time came for the regular establishment of the organization.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, New Haven, was organized with sixteen charter members. It is the first Christian Science church organized in Connecticut and became incorporated Nov.22,1891. Next in order came the Sunday school, which was established Jan.5,1896, and was followed by the "Busy Bees," formed in October,1897. The reading-room was opened in January,1898.
It being apparent that the rooms then occupied were outgrown, the church moved, on June 1,1899, to much larger and better quarters at 156 Orange street, where a separate reading-room was made possible. Directly following this move, the first Christian Science lecture in New Haven was given at the Hyperion Theater, Dec.1,1899. Beginning with the year 1900, at least one lecture a year has been given, and some years the interest manifested has warranted two. On one occasion, the Mishkan Israel Temple, the largest church in the city, seating fifteen hundred, was secured. First Church of Christ, Scientist, was also active in the establishment in Connecticut of the state committee on publication, this office, by the cooperation of the Christian Science churches and societies of Connecticut, being instituted March 11,1900.
From 156 Orange street this church moved to Chamber of Commerce Hall on Chapel street, and from there, on Feb.1,1906, to the Young Men's Republican Club Hall, corner of Crown and Temple streets. It became apparent, however, that it would soon be necessary to provide a church edifice; therefore in March, 1907, a site was purchased at the junction of Winthrop and Derby avenues. In 1902, when the call came to the field for contributions to the fund for the erection of The Mother Church extension, the members of this church were regularly contributing to its own building fund. Immediately thereafter, in loyal response, all such contributions were sent to the treasurer of The Mother Church, until the completion of the extension.
With this labor of love accomplished, the New Haven church turned to its own deferred plans. Ground was broken for the new edifice on Jan.28,1910. The plans provided for a building with a seating capacity of about six hundred and fifty. It was opened Sept.11,1910, by holding three services,—morning, afternoon, and evening. Upon this occasion a message was sent to Mrs. Eddy, to which the following reply by her secretary was received:—
Your recent letter addressed to Mrs. Eddy, on the occasion of the opening of your new church home, has been duly received.
Such evidences of growth and advancement are gratifying to our Leader, who sends with this, her tender love to all the faithful workers of New Haven.
For years it has been the practice of this church to send an annual love-offering to The Mother Church, the first of which there is any record having been sent in 1898. Some years ago a complete set of Mrs. Eddy's works was placed in the Yale University library and the New Haven Free Public library, together with subscriptions to all the Christian Science periodicals.
The committee for the distribution of Christian Science literature has been an active branch of the church work, the members realizing that an introduction to the teachings of Christian Science often comes through the literature, and that its wise distribution is an important factor in the growth of the cause. The Monitor and other Christian Science literature is being supplied to theaters, libraries, clubs, the Young Men's Christian Association, Yale University reading-rooms, newspapers, engine houses, and other public places. In February,1912, this committee instituted a daily Monitor service, delivery thus being made possible on the day of publication. Starting with one route, this branch of the work soon grew to four routes, requiring the regular services of four carriers.
There are abundant reasons for gratitude for the progress which Christian Science has made in New Haven. There is also grateful appreciation for the many experiences incident thereto, wherein to demonstrate divine Principle in healing sickness and sin, and establishing harmony. It is being more and more apprehended how true it is, as taught by our revered Leader, that the Church of Christ, Scientist, is built upon the only sure foundation, "Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone,"—the healing Christ, "the stone which the builders rejected," and which "is become the head of the corner."
First Church or Christ, Scientist, St. Paul, Minn.
In common with many other localities, interest in Christian Science had its beginning in St. Paul through the healing work at a comparatively early date. It was not, however, until 1893 that the first regular Christian Science services and Sunday school of which there is any record were held in a private room in the Hotel Barteau (now known as the Piedmont). From the first there was a gradual increase in attendance, and about a year later other students of Christian Science were added to the number of those who were striving to live and show forth the truth of the ever present Christ, in demonstration of its healing and reforming Principle, as taught in the text-book of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy.
In June,1896, a Christian Science Society was organized with seventeen members, the average attendance at the meetings being about fifty. First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized and incorporated under the laws of the state of Minnesota, Feb.26,1897, the charter members numbering thirty. From the start progress was the watchword, as the next year a building fund was started, and the first lecture on Christian Science in St. Paul was given in the Grand Opera House. Notwithstanding the firm hold of established denominationalism in this city, and the many difficulties that from time to time presented themselves to test the faith of these followers of the Master, his promise, "Lo, I am with you alway," was ever before them, and they persevered.
The real church, "the structure of Truth and Love" (Science and Health, p.583), grew and prospered, as it must because it is founded on the "Rock," Christ. In 1899 Rauden-bush hall, with a seating capacity of one hundred and fifty, was rented for meetings, with pleasant quarters in the same building for reading-rooms. For several years the work went quietly but steadily on. Then, in 1907, the ever present law of harmony and love brought about the unity of First and Second Churches, and there is an ever increasing sense of gratitude for this demonstration of brotherly love.
Second Church edifice was occupied for about a year, but being too small, Summit Hall, on Laurel avenue near Mackubin street, accommodating three hundred, was rented. Three years later a hall having a capacity twice as great was secured in the New Masonic Temple, corner of Sixth street and Smith avenue. This continuous growth made the providing of an adequate church home a necessity. As the first step a beautiful lot, one hundred by two hundred and sixty feet, with a frontage on Summit and Portland avenues and Grotto street, was purchased for ten thousand dollars in 1909. On July 3 of the same year, in gratitude for this demonstration, the church sent the following letter to Mrs. Eddy:—
"We, the members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, of St. Paul, Minn., assembled in semiannual meeting, send you our love and gratitude for your guidance and encouragement given us in the recent bylaws and admonitions, which bring us to a higher sense of our unity with God, freedom from personal opinions, and a desire to recognize only one leadership, as shown forth in your life and works. The recent purchase of a beautiful location for our church edifice is a result of obedience to your teaching, as given in 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.' "
The foundation of the new church was laid in 1912, and contracts for the superstructure were signed the next year. Early in the morning of Sept.11,1913, the corner-stone was laid with simple ceremonies, there being present the readers, officers, and building committee. This building, seating one thousand and twenty-five, and in which the first services were held June 14,1914, adds grace and dignity to one of the most beautiful streets in America. Built of light gray brick with Bedford stone trimmings, light and harmony characterize its every feature.
This organization has been permitted to participate in the building of The Mother Church, at one time sending in its total building fund. In its varied activities the growth of this branch has been symmetrical and normal. The Sunday school, the reading-room, the giving of lectures, and the distribution of Christian Science literature—these different avenues of activity have kept pace with the enlarged thought and the greater needs as they were seen.
May this branch of The Mother Church never fail to bear fruit, and be a faithful witness of the good news that salvation from discord, disease, and destruction, is the truth of being, not only for the individual, but for nations as well; and as each one realizes this, all peoples will be made free, wars will cease, and God shall become known even as man is known in Science. "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised" (Science and Health, p.174).
Christian Science Society of the University of Michigan
On Nov.27,1905, several students of the University of Michigan who were members of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, and actively interested in Christian Science, came to the conclusion that it was time this practical religion should find its way into the student life. At the first meeting of these students a chairman and clerk pro tempore were elected, and the chairman appointed a committee to draft a set of by-laws. In order that all might better understand just what standard should be attained in establishing such a society, the chairman requested the clerk to read The Mother Church by-law, providing for the organization of Christian Science societies in universities and colleges (Manual, Art, XXVI, Sect.13).
The next meeting was held Dec. 13, but the by-laws committee had no report to make till Jan.10,1906, when they reported a complete set of by-laws, which were discussed by articles and approved. The first officers of the society were elected at a special meeting held Jan. 24,1906. Less than a month later the society placed a copy of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, in the University library, and a copy of the Sentinel for the library magazine room was subscribed for.
At this time a regular order of business was adopted, as follows: Readings from the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's books (by the president); the Lord's Prayer and its spiritual interpretation (led by the president); roll-call; reading of minutes of the previous meeting; reports of officers and committees; unfinished business; new business; following adjournment, the audible repetition of the "scientific statement of being" (Science and Health, p.468). When two meetings a month were held, one of them was devoted to testimonies of the benefits which Christian Science brings to the student.
The first Christian Science lecture to be given by the society was delivered in April,1907, on the subject "Christian Science and Education," in Sarah Caswell Angell Hall. From that time on, with the exception of one year, the society has given its lecture in the same hall, which is located on the campus. In 1909 University Hall was obtained, but it was found that the other hall was better for the purpose. These lectures have proven very beneficial in the promotion of interest in Christian Science on the campus. One problem which the society has had continually to encounter, is that of having a suitable meeting-place. For some time the meetings were held in the church reading-rooms, but experience had shown that the rightful place for these meetings was on the campus. The parlors in Newberry Hall, the University Y. W. C. A. Building, which were finally secured for this purpose, have proven very satisfactory.
As the society progressed, the scope of its work naturally broadened. Copies of all the works of Mrs. Eddy have been placed in the library. The condition of the volumes is a certain indication of the good use to which they have been put. The society also maintains the Monitor in Alumni Memorial reading-room. It is gratifying indeed to see prominent men on the campus interested in the wholesome type of journalism which the Monitor presents. The usefulness of the Christian Science periodicals is indicated by the fact that when the Sentinel and Monitor subscriptions had expired and were not renewed, the University librarian at once wrote to The Christian Science Publishing Society for the copies which were missing.
For several years the society has been considering the eligibility of the School of Music students. It now seems that the relation between the University proper and the University School of Music is close enough to sanction their admission, a step which has just been taken, with the advice of the alumni members. The problem of our society today is not alone of numbers, but to build up a more active consciousness among the members of what their society should be able to accomplish.
The members of this society have continually benefited from the efforts and interest of the members of the local church, and they have likewise every reason to be grateful for the continuous and untiring efforts which the alumni have put forth to make success more perfect.
