Bridges, windows, ambassadors—these are a few words to describe the all-embracing thought that moves members of The Mother Church to form Christian Science organizations (CSOs) at universities and colleges. CSOs are bridges, bringing together those on a college campus who are searching for spiritual perspective; windows letting in the light of Christian healing on community needs; made up of ambassadors, not of denominational "territory," but of the universal ideas Mary Baker Eddy has shared with "honest seekers for Truth" in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (see p. xii).
These metaphors also describe the outward-looking thought of a Harvard University student named Wilfred Cole, who helped form the first CSO. In February 1904, he wrote to Mrs. Eddy.
At the time, Cole was not only a university student but First Reader in the Cambridge branch church. His desire was not to bring church services, but Christian Science lectures, to the campus. What is most significant about his letter is the response he received from Mrs. Eddy. She replied by sending Cole a draft of a By-Law for college organizations to be included in the Manual of The Mother Church, with a request that he review it. After receiving his comments, Mrs. Eddy finalized the By-Law and had it published in the March 12 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel and included in the next edition of the Church Manual. That By-Law, "Privilege of Members," has been the foundation for all CSO activities ever since.
