It is well known that our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, loved her country's flag, and cherished the freedom for which it stands. It was displayed at her home in the customary manner of the time, and on special occasions in Christian Science Hall. Concord, New Hampshire. On one occasion, when an observance of the birthday of the flag by the Massachusetts department of a national patriotic organization fell on Sunday, the flag of the United States was displayed in The Mother Church and the branch churches in Massachusetts with Mrs. Eddy'? expressed permission. Flags are flown on the group of buildings of which the edifice of The Mother Church is the center, one from a pole above the Falmouth Street entrance of the Administration Building, and two at the entrance of the Christian Science Publishing House on Norway Street.
The stirring events of these times have aroused in many Christian Scientists a desire to express more openly their love for their country, and this desire has brought forth the question as to displaying their national emblem at their church edifice.
There is no reason why a branch Christian Science church or society should not display the national emblem of its country, either within its edifice or outside, continuously or on national holidays, if it desires to do so. The question whether the flag of the country shall be displayed is one to be decided by the branch church concerned. Should a request to display the flag be received from an official of the state or federal government, however, such a request would of course be complied with.
