from the reminiscences of , July 17, 1932
In celebrating the centennial year of The Christian Science Publishing Society, the Journal recognizes the many behind-the-scenes sacrifices involved in carrying out its healing mission. To illustrate, here is a brief excerpt from an early employee's reminiscence, one of several being published this year.
In 1900 the Publishing Society was having a lot of trouble with janitors—no one seemed to want to keep the job. Finally, through Mr. [Joseph] Armstrong and Mr. [Stephen A. Chase], the [Christian Science Board of Directors] asked me if I would be willing to serve in this capacity. I was glad to take on the work and that year became the first regular janitor the Publishing Society ever had. For three years I had entire charge of the two three-story-and-basement brick houses, doing all the work myself; firing two furnaces in the winter, keeping the sidewalks clear of snow, washing floors and windows, sweeping and dusting and putting things ... in order. I never knew what it was to have regular hours, arriving about five o'clock in the winter mornings to start the fires and oftentimes to shovel off heavy snows so that the way would be clear before anyone came to work, and usually staying until very late at night, sometimes this being the only opportunity I had to get the rooms straightened out for the next day. ... As I recall there were about fifteen or twenty people employed by the Publishing Society then.
