DURING the formative period of The Christian Science movement there were many beginnings, developments, and other episodes that are or may be interesting to all whose acquaintance with this mental and spiritual reformation dates from a later time. Some of these incidents have been related in prior articles of this series; more of them constitute the present subject.
Many Christian Scientists know that, from the beginning of the Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1879, a discourse by Mrs. Eddy was the major part of its Sunday service. Her speaking was usually announced as an address, but sometimes as a Bible lesson or a sermon. It is not so well known that when this Church began to hold midweek meetings, they included a lecture by Mrs. Eddy or by one of her students. Thus, the Church notice in the first issue of the Journal of Christian Science (April 14, 1883) announced an address by the Pastor, Mary B. G. Eddy, every Sunday at 3 p. m., and a lecture, free to all, every Thursday evening at 7.30 p.m. "The lecture is followed by discussion, and practical explanation of Christian Science." Later notices read that Mrs. Eddy would speak from time to time, assisted by her students. The time for the midweek meeting, usually spoken of as the lecture, was changed in the latter part of 1883 from Thursday evening to Friday evening. Its program was changed in 1889 to "an address, relation of experiences, and discussions on inquiries from the audience" (Journal, Vol. 7, p. 100). At this time, Mrs. Eddy was still Pastor of the Church of Christ, Scientist, but she had an assistant who did nearly all of the public speaking.
The Friday Evening Meetings of the Church of Christ, Scientist, and of The Mother Church continued until June, 1898, when Mrs. Eddy changed the time to Wednesday evening (Journal, Vol. 16, p. 167). She gave the midweek meeting its present name, "Wednesday Evening Meeting," in September, 1898 (Journal, Vol. 16, pp. 459, 590). The Friday Evening Meeting had become an experience or testimonial meeting, but she now announced that the Wednesday Evening Meeting would be "a meeting of interest on subjects pertaining to Christian Science, as well as personal experience;" also, that "a member of the Board of Lectureship may lecture at these meetings as often as once in three months." The present program for these meetings dates from 1900.
