IT was in the year 1888 that the interest of a lone family of Centralia was first aroused in Christian Science through the healing of a relative, who later became one of Mrs. Eddy's devoted students. That one for whom little or no hope was held should be completely and quickly healed through the reading of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, was a bugle call which awakened the desire of investigation.
However, with the first groping for the light came a stumble, when the little group of friends who had become interested invited a supposed student of Christian Science from a distant state to instruct them in this great truth. How eagerly the hungry seekers grasped at and for a time studied the spurious literature and teachings! Although there was some healing, the error was soon uncovered through the efforts of the aforesaid relative, and Science and Health with the other authorized literature was supplied for study, while several students at once took advantage of class instruction; so the earnest little band were soon in the straight and narrow path.
For years the few who studiously searched for truth met at the different homes to read and study Science and Health with the Bible, and in time a society was formed. It was not, however, until about 1903 that they decided to bring this great truth to the attention of the public by meeting in a hall. Consequently arrangements were made to hold Sunday services at 102 East Broadway, the use of this hall being lovingly given the society with no charges save the janitor bill. During this period the first public lecture on Christian Science for this community was given at the Opera House. The Wednesday evening meetings at this time were being held in a physician's office at 322 East Broadway. This physician, who had become a convert to Christian Science through the healing of his son of Bright's disease, had been in practice for sixty-six years. The first two of these meetings were unique in that they were held within walls lined with bottles of drugs and other medical appliances. However, since light and darkness cannot dwell together, the subsequent meetings found all the drugs removed and the physician's sign taken down, he having become an ardent student of Christian Science.
