Christian Science War Time Activities/Chapter 02

←

Christian Science War Time Activities
First Church of Christ, Scientist, War Relief Committee

→

Boston, U.S.A.: The Christian Science Publishing Society, pages 29–60; plates

2347645Christian Science War Time Activities — Hands Across the SeaFirst Church of Christ, Scientist, War Relief Committee

II

HANDS ACROSS THE SEA

ENGLAND

When the cataclysm of August, 1914, shook human consciousness to its depths, and revealed as never before the precariousness of all merely material dependence, humanity found itself face to face with such unprecedented difficulties and hitherto unconceived terrors that “men's hearts failed them for fear.” This upheaval, however, brought with it a more comprehensive revelation of the compassionate mission of Christian Science and provided an opportunity for Christian Scientists to serve mankind in many ways that might never have arisen otherwise. The first evidence of this was the establishment in December, 1914, of The Mother Church Relief Fund to aid sufferers through the war. A representative was sent by the Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church to Great Britain and Ireland to initiate the work. This representative formed a series of committees consisting, all told, of nineteen delegates from various sections of the United Kingdom, all under the chairmanship of the District Manager of Committees on Publication for Great Britain and Ireland. Grants from the fund were sent from Boston and distributed to the committees in accordance with requests received from them. During a period of three and a half years, from January, 1915, to July, 1918, relief was extended to more than 2600 cases in this way. Although Christian Scientists in the United Kingdom and the Colonies were naturally most anxious to contribute to The Mother Church Relief Fund, it was then impossible for them to do so under the Defence of the Realm Act, inasmuch as a portion of the fund would be used to aid sufferers in the countries with which the United Kingdom and her Colonies were at war.

The needs to be met at the time the fund was opened differed somewhat from those which subsequently presented themselves. The war broke out with startling suddenness and many well-to-do people found themselves reduced to poverty almost in a night. In these opening days, consequently, the need was often for substantial sums to prevent the collapse of small businesses, to carry on the education of children, or to train individuals for professions to take the place of those which war conditions had swept away. A great deal of help was also extended to landladies in districts which suffered heavily from air raids and bombardments. Much also was done for the relief of those in absolute destitution. In one instance, one of the local committees found a woman who had been struggling for six weeks to support herself and four children on five shillings and sixpence a week. She would neither run in debt, nor beg, and when she was found, there was literally nothing in the house, both she and the children being in a pitiful condition, having had no food for twenty-four hours. The family is now well cared for, and the woman's gratitude is very great.

Another case was that of a young German woman married to a Church of England clergyman, who obtained a separation from her at the outbreak of the war because she was a German. Under the deed of separation she received thirteen shillings and five pence maintenance money, but owing to the strong feeling against her nationality she was not able to get work to supplement this sum. She is not a Christian Scientist but has found that the only alleviation of her circumstances has come through Christian Science and is extremely grateful for the relief extended to her each week. Recently she returned to Germany, saying that she would at once look up the nearest Christian Science Reading Room and tell of the loving treatment she has received through The Mother Church Fund.

In one instance where help was given in very sad circumstances, the recipient wrote that she had no idea that her affairs were known to anyone, or that there was such a blessing as The Mother Church Relief Fund. She said that the gift was a most wonderful answer to her prayers.

Relief was also extended to a number of working dressmakers, whose small businesses failed in the early days of the war. Several struggling artists and musicians whose means of livelihood abruptly stopped, were also helped for a period. A number of boardinghouse keepers at some of the popular seaside resorts, were likewise recipients of relief from the fund. The war broke out just at the beginning of the summer season, and the towns, particularly on the east coast, lost many of their usual summer visitors through the anticipation of enemy raids by sea or by air, and through the necessary military regulations regarding coast defence.

Excerpts from several of the many letters received by the General Committee administering the fund for Great Britain give a clear indication of the good accomplished in that country.

One says:

“Enclosed please find receipt for the balances of the amount so generously granted me by The Mother Church, for which we are profoundly thankful. It has indeed been the means of giving us a fresh start in life unburdened with debts. . . . Am pleased to inform you that the improvement in health continues and I appear to be steadily gaining in strength, in fact all my friends remark how well I am looking lately, thanks to Christian Science.”

A Committee reports:

“I am sure it will interest you to hear of another proof of the unity of good. The people with whom I was able to place Mrs. W. through the allowance made to her by the War Relief Fund are receiving such benefit. The man, a clerk in the Post Office, has been away from work for sixteen weeks. Mrs. W. told him about Christian Science and he got Science and Health and read constantly, with the result that he is now back at work and he and his wife have begun to attend our services.”

Another:

“This morning I received a letter from a lady, enclosing one pound for the fund, and writing: ‘Two years ago I was the recipient of ten pounds from this fund, which enabled me, amongst other things, to visit a Christian Science friend. From that time my needs have always been met and I felt very strongly the right thought which must accompany these gifts from Scientists in America and elsewhere.’ ”

A local Committee in England writes:

“You will be glad to hear that the two cases which have received the largest donations from the fund in this district, have, through this help, been able to make a magnificent demonstration and have repaid more to the local funds in subscriptions than they originally received.”

Another beneficiary says:

“I herewith hand you £60, sixty pounds, in bank notes for the War Relief Fund.

“In December the first year of the war, as you know, I had lost all my business and was owing my house rent and taxes to the amount of £55. This had got on top of me to the extent that I did not seem to be able to think of anything clearly and was in the depths of despair, not seeing any way out of the seeming trouble. At this time you spoke to me of the War Relief Fund, just then available, with the result that a cheque for the £55 was sent to me. The receipt of this money, coming as it did with such loving thought behind it, lifted the heavy cloud, and from that day I was a new man and was able to help myself.

“I have gradually worked up a new business and although there have been times of trial, still I have been able to look to the only source for the solving of all problems and know that He does not look at the seeming faults, mistakes, misdirected efforts, etc., but sees only the perfect man.

“I have many times wanted to give a good amount to this fund but it is only now that I have been able to make the perfect demonstration.

“Words are inadequate to express my very deep gratitude but I know that others will be blessed, as I have been, through this fund.”

After the appointment in 1918 of the Christian Science War Relief Committee for Great Britain and Ireland, a letter was received from the Christian Science Board of Directors recommending the reorganization of the administration of the War Relief Fund, and advising that relief should be extended only to refugees or those in actual destitution. The problem of unemployment had almost disappeared in 1918, owing to the large numbers engaged in munition making, or kindred activities. Therefore, the nature of the relief work changed considerably, and the number of cases helped was greatly reduced. The endeavor was made to have the War Relief agent in charge of a case make the payments weekly, thereby keeping in close touch with the recipient, and giving such encouragement and advice from the metaphysical standpoint as would go far towards healing the condition of poverty. In several cases the metaphysical work done by the agent brought about the financial healing before there was time for the Committee to extend the relief which was sought.

On page IX of the Preface to Miscellaneous Writings, Mrs. Eddy writes:

“A certain apothegm of a Talmudical philosopher suits my sense of doing good. It reads thus: ‘The noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting charity; and the best alms are to show and to enable a man to dispense with alms.’ ”

This “sense of doing good” has been held as the ideal in distributing the War Relief Fund, and there has been ample proof of the wisdom and fruitfulness of such a method. In one instance the small payment of ten shillings was made to a man who had been discharged from the army as incurable. He was unable to work, and his wife was ill. Christian Science treatment was given and within a week, the man was completely healed and able to take up an excellent position.

Relief was given to a Belgian refugee and her sick husband. The woman was a munition worker during the war, but after the factory closed she was out of work for some time. When the unemployment pay came to an end, she was without means of supply while awaiting repatriation, and owing to her husband's continued illness, she was the sole breadwinner. On hearing of the case an allowance was at once made from the War Relief Fund for the necessary period. A Christian Scientist visited the husband on behalf of the Committee and had several good talks with him, which resulted in a great improvement in his physical condition. Within a short time the arrangements for repatriation were completed and the couple returned to Belgium. A message has been received announcing their safe and happy arrival at home, and saying that the husband is now well.

An elderly woman of seventy-three years, who was in great poverty, received help, and through this was introduced to the subject of Christian Science. She told the practitioner who called on her that her only son had been killed in France, and that she had prayed both day and night to God to heal her broken heart. As she could not read, the textbook, which she now loves, was read aloud to her, and she recently remarked that “no bottle of medicine could touch the heart as that black book does. It has healed my broken one, and made me a better woman.”

HOLLAND

It was to hospitable little Holland that many people, forced to become refugees through the war, fled for safety and shelter. There were consequently many calls upon the War Relief Fund of The Mother Church coming from persons of various nationalities. The fund was administered in Holland by the Committee on Publication for that country, and in one of the reports we read:

“We are so grateful for the help the Christian Scientists in America are giving us. I am sure each of them would feel amply rewarded if he could hear the expressions of gratitude of the people we have been able to help in Holland. And to think that this blessed work is going on in many other countries is indeed glorious!”

A Dutch lady writes:

“What a relief and what a splendid gift I received from the War Relief Fund. Not only my immediate needs are all supplied, but the principal thing is that I received a tangible proof of God's love and know from experience that He never leaves those who trust in Him.”

Says a student:

“I acknowledge the receipt of the 200 florins from the War Relief Fund. I am very grateful to the Committee that makes it possible for me in this way to provide for my future, and it certainly will be a stimulus to do all I can to pass the examination successfully.”

From the same student somewhat later:

“You surely will be pleased to hear that I have success- fully passed the examination. As it was through your medium that I received the help from the Christian Science War Relief Fund which made it possible to continue my study I want to thank you once more.”

An Englishman writes from The Hague:

“I am most happy to inform you that my family came through from Belgium last week.

“My wife joins me in thanking you and the other members of the Committee most sincerely for the munificent manner in which you came forward to our assistance in our trouble. We shall never forget the sympathy and kindness we have experienced in this hospitable country and shall always remember with gratitude those to whom we are so much indebted for bringing an end to our long separation.

“This loan shall be amongst the first that will have my attention as soon as I am in a position to repay same.”

Another whose burden was lightened writes:

“Thank you so much for the help received, by means of which we were able to redeem our belongings from the pawnbroker and to buy some warm clothes for my husband. We have passed through great poverty as my husband was without work for a long time and we were forced to sell much of our furniture. To our delight he has just found work, too. Will you please thank the Christian Scientists for the help God inspired them to give us?”

From a society for the relief of interned soldiers came the following:

“In the name of ‘L'Œuvre de I'lnterné’ we thank you heartily for the splendid gift of 500 florins which you sent to our Commander, General J., from the War Relief Fund of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.”

These are only a few of the cases which might be cited to show that The Mother Church Fund was the means of bringing relief, comfort and solace to those on whom war had cast its shadow in Holland.

SWITZERLAND

In German-speaking Switzerland the headquarters of the War Relief Fund were at Zurich, in French-speaking Switzerland at Geneva. Like Holland, the country was filled to overflowing with those who sought a refuge from the storm of war and among them were many to whom the fund of The Mother Church came, bringing peace where there had been anxiety, health where there had been sickness, and trust where there had been only the blank outlook of utter hopelessness and despair.

What joy it brings to the hearts of all who have helped make the fund possible to hear the following story of one whom the Committee in Zurich was able to aid:

“I became acquainted with a woman who was bending under her load of troubles. She was in debt and lacked even the absolute necessities, her husband being at the frontier. (He had been obliged to do service three times in the interval of one year.) She received only a small subsidy for herself and her child, just enough not to perish from starvation.

“Before the war her husband had a small business and the wife kept a boarding house. They lived comfortably until 1914 when the war started; then misery began. The husband's business failed entirely; the boarders left to serve under the flag and thus a hard time began for the wife. When her husband left for the frontier she was deprived of his support. The state of fear in which she found herself over the rent and the debts to be paid resulted in illness and she had to undergo two operations for goiter. This woman became so irritable and embittered that she made the home for her child a veritable hell. Then error held full sway.

“I felt attracted toward the child, who was about thirteen at that time, and was very much impressed by the confidence she had in God, that they would be delivered from their moral and material misery. I then realized that here was an opportunity to apply the truth of Christian Science and by and by I began to see results with the child. Her disposition became greatly changed so that the mother was astonished. Later, when the opportunity occurred I approached the mother, and with her also, after a time, the inharmonious conditions began to give place to harmony; slowly a great transformation took place. There was, however, the cloud of her indebtedness hanging over her. I then asked for aid on her behalf from the War Relief Committee in Zurich. The sum of 300 francs was given her to pay off the most urgent debts.

“To the poor woman this was a fortune falling from heaven. She could never have dreamed of such a solution. This money, given to her by Love, was the beginning of a new life. The oppressing fears were lifted, and one can truthfully say that blessings were showered upon the family. The child was given shoes, clothing, hats and all necessary things. The husband being, up to that time, in a trying and poorly paid position in the army, was transferred without any special effort to a higher grade. His officer showed so much interest in him that he gave him 100 francs to send to his family, and when at the end of his term of service, the supplies of the company were sold, he received enough to provide for himself for some time.

“The wife herself is completely transformed. She is very happy to have regained her strength so that now she is able to do her washing and housework. She is freed from her asthmatic trouble so that there is no need of a further operation, and often I have the pleasure of looking in her face, now full of contentment, and of hearing her say: ‘How happy I am! How happy I am! What would have become of us if you had not told us about Christian Science!’ ”

Another recipient of help from the Zurich Committee writes:

"At this time I would like to express my gratitude to the Christian Scientists for all the love and kindness shown to their European brothers by helping them financially. I am one of those who have been helped twice by the local Committee, having received 50 francs each time. In the meantime, divine Love has provided for me so that for the present I need no help. I am very grateful to have been led to Christian Science and it is my sincere desire to express in my daily life the teachings of Christian Science.”

“	Kind deeds of peace and love betray
	Where'er the stream has found its way,”

says one of our hymns and the excerpts which follow surely furnish illuminating proof of this fact.

“Just a short note to inform you that we have duly received the money and the groceries, and to express our deepest thanks for the gift. May God bless you. I want to tell you how glad I am for having been led to Christian Science, for I now have much more faith in God than before. I also greatly enjoy the Christian Science literature, and as soon as my husband has a position we will subscribe ourselves. Again, our heartfelt thanks to all the givers.”

“Your relief money has helped me out of many a strait in these difficult times. How often has want appeared at my door before I received your present. God has helped me again. He does not forsake us. Since I have turned to Christian Science I have peace and quiet. Every day I see the good, for which I am thankful to God. And I am also thankful that He led me to Christian Science. Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, must have been a pious and God-fearing woman, whom God had appointed to bring, through her great love, blessings and peace to so many people. What a noble and rich heritage she has left us!”

“I consider it my duty to convey to you my sincerest thanks for the loving gifts from The Mother Church in Boston extended to me through your Relief Committee. I have also read a great deal in Der Herold and am pleased to say that my condition shows a marked improvement.”

The Chairman of the Zurich Committee writes:

“I am sure our American friends who contributed to the fund will be pleased that they have been able to help these fellow men (English prisoners of war) with some small gifts. Some of them have been prisoners since August, 1914. We bought handkerchiefs and washing gloves, things very much needed by them, put one or two of them in a parcel and added to each an English pamphlet, by choosing some with a neutral title, like, for instance, ‘Upward Footsteps,’ and handed it to them from the platform with a hundred Monitors. The latter we are sending to them now regularly and receive letters of appreciation. In a similar way we are working with the French and German prisoners.”

A sheaf of grateful letters sent to the War Relief Committee at Geneva give some evidence of the harvest to be garnered in that fruitful field.

“I should like to express my gratitude towards the Committee of the War Relief Fund and to all those who are generously contributing to this cause, which came to our aid in a moment of need. My husband has been earning very little during the four years of war. We have had the great privilege of becoming acquainted with Christian Science which is teaching us that God is Love and the source of all that is good. With this knowledge we have been wonderfully preserved from all evil and our condition has changed and improved. Thanks to this teaching we understand God better and are very grateful for this.”

“Will you thank the Christian Science Committee for all the good that we have received spiritually and financially? Science has revealed to us a God to whom we can turn at all times and never in vain. . . . I do not know what we would have done without this help, as my mother has been bedridden since 1914, which obliges me to work at home so that I can earn very little.”

“I want to express to you and the War Relief Fund my profound gratitude for the help you extended to me in my distress. This aid has opened to me a new spiritual life which I wish to understand better and to follow. Thank you with all my heart for having shown me this life-giving truth.”

“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I offer my thanks to you in this letter. . . . I dare not think what would have become of me during these hard times with my poor means of subsistence. . . . On Saturday you brought me the sum of 150 francs from your fund to make provision of coal for the winter. . . . Thanks also for Le Héraut and above all, thanks for the textbook by Mrs. Eddy. This book is truly spiritual food for all my family.”

“The aid which I particularly have received from the War Relief Committee has been a great help and encouragement to me during the trying period we have been passing through. Eighteen months ago I was utterly ignorant of Christian Science. I owe to it my physical and moral restoration. It gave me health and strength on my hospital bed where death awaited me in August, 1916. Through it I now desire to live. It is sustaining me today in every difficult problem.

“Therefore, it is with all my heart that I desire to contribute to this work which has become dear to me through having received so many of its benefits.”

ITALY

It was largely through the initiative of Christian Scientists in Florence that a War Relief Committee was organized in Italy after the entry of that country into the world struggle.

The Christian Science Society of Florence holds its services and maintains a Reading Room in a substantial building on the Via Delia Spada just across the street from the famous Strozzi palace. On the third floor were the headquarters for the Committee administering the War Relief Fund for Italy. The well-organized group of Christian Scientists carefully investigated hundreds of cases of destitution and misery in Rome, Florence, Genoa, Turin, Sienna and Sarzana and distributed money and comforts with much care and discrimination. On a single afternoon at headquarters in Florence as many as fifty cases were helped, each one of which had been the subject of careful consideration and investigation.

A glimpse of the tireless group that eagerly awaited their turn outside the disbursing office in Florence, through long hours on one hot September afternoon when a visitor was present, would have satisfied every contributor to the fund that the help was needed in Italy. Old men and women, young soldiers' widows with tiny babes, whose pensions, pitifully meager at the best, had not even as yet been allotted, discharged soldiers who had contracted diseases in the army, mothers of large families seeking even trifling aid, were each in turn seen and comforted and sent away rejoicing, giving voluble expressions of gratitude.

Knowing the characteristics of the Italian people, and desiring, too, to make The Mother Church Fund furnish true aid, the Committee purchased quantities of wool which it distributed to the poor to be knitted into socks and paid one lira a pair to the knitter. The socks were then sent to the soldiers of the Italian army and elicited among others the following letter:

“The Officers of the Edolo Battalion 5th Alpines, in the name of the brave Alpines.

“We heartily thank you for the most useful and most welcome twenty-five pairs of socks, mountain hoods, and knee protectors. The good that you kind ladies do is inestimable.

“When our soldiers feel that they are thought of by those at home, sacrifice becomes nothing to them and danger is faced with strong and calm hearts.”

In another instance the Committee purchased a sewing machine for some women refugees, who wrote:

“We refugees of Sandona di Piave, Venezia, having been forced to give up our dear land to the barbarous enemy, and finding ourselves in need, feel it is our duty to extend to this honorable Committee our hearty thanks, having received money to buy a sewing machine with which to earn our living.

“Thanking once more this honorable Committee for the good and comfortable position in which they have put us, we remain, yours ever gratefully.”

Again it was an Italian officer who said:

“In my name and in the name of my soldiers, I send to you Madam, and to the Christian Science Society, our heartiest thanks for what you have so generously sent to my soldiers.

“I say generously because the woolen underwear which was in abundance was so gratefully accepted. The games, too, were a kind thought, so that the soldiers, when the enemy permit, may be distracted and pass the long hours in the trenches less monotonously. . . .

“With great faith in victory — hurrah for the Allies, hurrah for America.”

Surely the fund did a good work when it helped this little Italian schoolboy, who wrote:

“I can't help sending you a few words to thank you for the good you have done for me and my dear mother. I thank you for the shoes, for the house rent, and for paying for my schooling. I promise you to study in order to be a comfort to my poor parents. Forgive my bad writing and with respects, yours very truly.”

The minister of an Evangelical Church on the island of Elba was sent a sum of money by the Committee to be used among the needy members of his congregation. Of two families who were helped through the fund he writes:

“In closing this letter of gratitude allow me to refer to some blessings that have come to two of the above-mentioned families. A little grandson of C. fell ill and the doctor pronounced it a case of typhoid fever. The child is a pupil in the fourth class of the Evangelical School. When I went to see him, I found all the family in the utmost despair thinking the child was as good as dead. I spoke boldly of the power of faith and said how absurd it was to think a young boy should have to die. I called to mind the miracles of Jesus and assured them the child would not die. Thanks be to God, he recovered.

“In the family P., the head of the house, a soldier at the front, was wounded in the body by a shell. His sisters had not the courage to tell their old mother, though all the town knew about it. I went to tell her so that her faith might be awakened before she heard the sad news. We all realized the young man would be saved. God has surely restored him to life. Now he is again at the front and is expected home for the winter leave.

“The light of faith and of life has been lacking in the world. Hence war and death. But Life triumphs over death.”

It is to be noted that the Italian woman, whose grateful letter follows, is anxious to learn English so that she may read about Christian Science.

“I feel very sorry that I cannot speak and understand English. However, I hope to learn some day and with the language I shall learn so many good things which I need. My husband tries to study English in order to understand the treasures contained in those little books that you gave him. They are his companions and consolation in his forced and temporary exile. (He is a soldier.) . . . Christian Science seems part of his life. And here, Signora, allow me to thank you heartily for the help given to me in money, rent and clothing. I wish I could thank all the Americans who have liberated my children, my husband and myself from the tremendous weight of woe which was upon us.

“All these troubles are forgotten, thanks to you, and to the good friends, I dare say brothers, Scientists of the world. Accept, Signora, my feelings of gratitude and reverence.”

FRANCE

The War Relief Fund of The Mother Church as established in the fall of 1914, was primarily intended to assist Christian Scientists and to help them over a period of temporary financial stress until they should again be able to help themselves. As the love which prompted this offer of assistance was the real substance of the aid extended, it cast out the fear of those in need. Consequently Christian Scientists were, in most cases, soon able to dispense with all financial aid from the fund, hence in the Sentinel of December 5, 1914, the Treasurer of The Mother Church announced that sufficient money was then in hand to meet the needs of Christian Scientists, at the same time asking for further contributions for the relief of non-Scientists who were suffering from the privations entailed by the war.

In France a Committee had been organized jointly from the two churches in Paris for the administration of “The Mother Church Relief Fund.” It now joyously accepted the privilege of extending help to non-Scientists as well as to Scientists. It soon became evident, however, that to let it be generally known that such a fund existed would bring an overwhelming number of appeals for assistance, for at this time the soldiers' wives in France were receiving only twenty-five cents a day for adults and ten cents for each child, and this class of the needy would very soon have swallowed up the fund. Therefore, the Committee endeavored to find out the misères cachées, those who had no means whatever and who were often of the educated classes whose natural delicacy debarred them from making their needs known.

Scores of interesting cases could be cited, where the fund came to the assistance of persons in distress and helped them over a trying period. Many artists who found themselves suddenly stranded were aided. A well-known Paris artist brought to the attention of the Committee a number of such persons whose condition was really pitiable. Two Americans, for instance, were enabled to return to their home when they found themselves without means of livelihood in France. Another who was in the depths of discouragement and poverty was given assistance from the fund, held an exhibition of his pictures and found a ready sale for his work from that time on.

To teachers, students and professors who were deprived of their employment by the outbreak of the war much needed help was given.

Cooperating with a Protestant clergyman the Committee was able to extend aid to a number of Protestant families who were in dire need.

A little Paris street urchin who was trying to support a younger sister, and who was literally without a cent, was taken in overnight by one member of the Committee, aided financially by the fund and helped to secure a position.

An American nurse who had married a French soldier was delighted by the complete layette provided for her baby by the War Relief Fund.

A young Jewish woman from Algiers, with a blind husband and a large family of children, was given much needed assistance.

Some Russian ladies whose home in Rheims had been destroyed by bombardment, were most grateful for financial help.

A Finn whose demands upon the fund were exorbitant and unreasonable, was healed and later frankly acknowledged the help received and secured a good position. Another Finn was given enough money to take him to Switzerland, where he worked among the prisoners of war.

An Austrian in an internment camp wrote to the Committee for a copy of Science and Health in the German translation. One was sent him through the fund and when last heard from he was conducting Christian Science services in that camp.

An old German couple who loved France and had made it their home for some thirty years, were recommended to the Committee as worthy of assistance. Financial aid was given them and they both became interested in Christian Science and were loaned a copy of the textbook. The Committee gave them small sums to buy little additional necessities and they were later returned to Germany. Such was their love for Christian Science that they said their only joy would be to find some Scientists in Germany. Through the Red Cross they sent word that they had found friends among the Scientists who were caring for them.

One Spanish family looked up by the Committee were found literally starving; they had no bedding, no furniture, no fire, though the weather was severe, and but one broken cup. The husband was a copper-plate engraver before the war and had been brought to this state of destitution because he had had no work. His family was helped until a position was secured for him.

One might mention also cases of Poles, Swedes, Italians and Armenians who had help from the fund which indeed literally fulfilled the words on page 13 of Science and Health, “Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals.”

The sculptress of whom mention was previously made was a Christian Scientist. Finding that there was no market for the products of her art, she turned her energy to toy making. With some slight assistance from the fund, she began to make dolls. Their originality proved so successful and attractive that they soon made a place for themselves in the large shops in Paris as well as abroad. The demand grew so rapidly that the sculptress was forced to employ someone to assist her and was eventually able to give work to as many as eleven women. Thus did the seed sown on good soil spring up and bring forth fruit an hundred-fold.

In many cases the desire was expressed to know something of that which was affording such help and eventually some became earnest students of Christian Science.

The work was carried on along these lines, helping individuals of all nationalities and of all sects and denominations, until the beginning of 1917 when it was found that the fund could be made to flow through broader channels so as to help in relieving the distress in the regions of France which had been invaded and which were being gradually liberated by the advance of the Allies.

During the year of 1917, ninety-two individual cases, of which thirty-six were Christian Scientists, were helped and it was decided to extend help also to the liberated districts in which the returning inhabitants were in the utmost need. The circular letter which follows was sent to the authorities of these regions,

“THE MOTHER CHURCH WAR RELIEF FUND

“(The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts)

“From the Office of the Paris Committee

“To the Mayor:

“We have the honor of calling to your attention a fund known as ‘The Mother Church War Relief Fund,’ created by the gifts of Christian Scientists in the United States and other parts of the world for the purpose of helping war sufferers. Contributions already made by Christian Scientists to this Fund exceed a million and a half francs.

“The Paris Committee responsible for the distribution of that portion of the fund allotted to France has been established since the early months of the war and has already distributed a substantial sum in relieving suffering in this country.

“The use of the fund is not confined to any particular sect but extends to all sufferers regardless of religion or other distinction and the Paris Committee would be glad to extend its benefits to sufferers in your Commune if such help would be acceptable.

“As access to your Commune by civilians is practically impossible, we are not in a position to get in touch with the cases most worthy of help as we have elsewhere. The Committee would therefore be very glad to consider applications sent to them, through you or any other authority, with regard to individual cases needing assistance. Applications may also be sent through any local Committee or organization that is working to help war sufferers in your Commune. Each application should be accompanied by a few details as to the present financial circumstances and need.

“May I add that the details of any application that you may desire to submit to us will be treated confidentially and considered in the most kindly spirit.

“We beg to remain,

⁠“Very sincerely yours,

⁠“President of the Committee.”

This letter was sent to 159 Prefects, Senators, Deputies and Mayors in the departments of the Pas de Calais, Nord, Somme, Oise, Aisne and Marne and called forth a very general and enthusiastic response. At the request of the Deputy of St. Quentin members of our Committee were able to visit some portions of the devastated districts of the Aisne in order to have some adequate concept of the havoc wrought and of the present need of the inhabitants. The condition of one village will give a specific idea of what they found. Beauvois had before the war a population of between 7000 and 8000 people. An expert's examination showed that in the whole town there were only twelve buildings capable of being repaired. The result was that there was no civil population left. As soon, however, as they were repatriated the inhabitants of these desolate villages would make their way back to what was formerly their home and the Mayors and Deputies would endeavor to find means to provide them with shelter and food.

The Mayor of Moy, for example, applied to the Committee to help twenty-five necessitous cases from his village. The whole village had been razed to the ground and the inhabitants were being repatriated by way of Switzerland. There was no one to help them except the Mayor. He had exhausted all of his personal resources, and came to our Committee at a moment when he was in despair at not being able to meet the very pressing need of a number of families. The Committee aided the twenty-five families with sums averaging from 50 to 100 francs ($10 to $20) per family. This was in August, 1917, and similar help was given in December of that year.

Another particularly interesting case was that presented to the Committee by the Mayor of Orchies, Département du Nord.

“Dear Sir:

“I have the honor to acknowledge your favor of July 14. I am tremendously grateful for the interest you are kind enough to take in my unfortunate fellow citizens. Our city, almost completely burned by the Germans on September 25, 1914, is still in their hands.

“I correspond at present with 450 soldiers, 125 prisoners and 350 civilians. At first I was able to send help to the mobilized men and to the prisoners; but the modest resources which I had at my disposal were soon exhausted and public charity solicited on every side, could do no more for my poor citizens.

“I call your kind attention especially to the Prisoners of Orchies. These unfortunate men cannot receive anything from their families, for most of them are still in the invaded districts. The prisoners, therefore, are entirely destitute and to my great regret, it is impossible for me to reply to their urgent appeals.

“This is why I should be very grateful to you if you could help them a little. If you wish I can send you a list of the prisoners.

“I alone take care of the inhabitants of Orchies, whether mobilized, prisoners, or repatriated, and it would be a great relief and a profound satisfaction to me if their condition could be somewhat relieved.

“Thanking you in advance for whatever you may be kind enough to do for them, and in this hope, I beg you to accept the assurance of my highest esteem.”

The answer to this appeal is appended as it shows the method adopted by the Comité Français in dealing with such cases.

“Monsieur le Maire:

“Our Committee has received your letter of July 31, in which you inform us of the needs of the people of Orchies and they are pleased to write you that they desire to divide the sum of 1500 francs among the most needy cases.

“Be so kind, then, as to send the names and present addresses of those whose needs you consider the most urgent, adding some data as to their actual condition, and please suggest the amount you think advisable to give in each case. As soon as we receive this list we shall be glad to send the money orders.

“Very sincerely yours,

“President of the Committee.”

From one of the recipients of this aid, a prisoner of war, came the following note, which is typical of many others.

“Friedericksfeld, December 2, 1917.

“Mademoiselle:

“I have received the money order for 12.50 francs which you had the kindness to send me at the request of the Mayor of Orchies. This money will be most useful to me and I am very grateful to have it.

“Sincerely yours,”

During a hard winter, the Committee was able to provide about 1200 refugee children in Amiens with warm clothing at a cost of 25,000 francs, and it also gave substantial grants to the various Foyers du Soldat in France. These Foyers correspond to our Y. M. C. A. huts and have been of immense help and comfort to the French Poilus since their establishment. A large building in the center of Amiens had been equipped to reeducate mutilated soldiers and fit them to earn their own living. It was found that it cost 800 francs per person to complete this education. Our Committee felt it right to encourage this work by taking upon itself the education of five new cases. In addition, money to supply an artificial leg was sent to a young mason, who had been wounded in the battle of the Marne. He was taken prisoner by the Germans, and after having his leg amputated was sent back to France. Here, on his own initiative, he studied and attended university classes and qualified as a public school teacher.

Hundreds of individuals whose names were submitted to our Committee through their Mayor or Prefect, or through some relief society, received aid. With touching gratitude the recipients would state in their letters of acknowledgment that the money had been used to buy shoes for children who had been forced to go barefoot; to purchase furniture for those who had been sleeping on straw; to procure a woolen blanket as a protection against the rigors of winter; to clothe destitute families; to provide comforts for a sick mother; to send a package to a father, a prisoner of war in Germany; to replace farming implements destroyed by the invader; to eke out an income which was supporting ten persons, and so on indefinitely.

This brings us in our story to the eventful year 1918, when the Paris churches asked The Mother Church to send workers to meet the growing number of calls for help from the Americans who were coming overseas, and also to help organize more efficient relief in the terribly desolated and devastated districts of France.

Early in the year a delegate was sent over by The Mother Church to investigate conditions and to make a report to the Directors as to the best way of cooperating with the War Relief Committee already operating in Paris, in order to help both the American troops and the refugees. The visit of this representative, accompanied by a worker who remained permanently in France, strengthened and helped the Paris workers at a most difficult time. Immediately upon his return ten workers were sent to France by the Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church. They arrived in Paris during one of the most critical periods of the war, when the city was being bombarded by day by “Big Bertha” and by night by the German “Gothas,” which visited the city as often as five times in one week. The Germans were also advancing so rapidly on Paris that it was felt that something should be done at once to enable the congregations of both the Paris churches to leave the city if they so desired.

The Manager of the War Relief Committee met the Comité Français and they discussed the question fully, with the result that 5000 francs were immediately advanced to each church to be used by the members in case of need, which money was to be accounted for by the respective members of the Committee.

Some forty families were helped by this fund and it was indeed a very vital thing to them to be able to put their children in safety outside of Paris or to feel that they had by them a sum of money sufficient to cover the expense of leaving Paris if it became urgently necessary to do so. In not a few cases the people who had been granted this money returned the same to the Committee as they felt so certain a sense of divine protection that they remained in Paris in spite of seemingly desperate conditions.

During 1918 some 100 individual cases were helped, of which 48 were Scientists.

The coming to France of the War Relief Workers opened new channels by which help could be extended to war sufferers. These workers were established at Bordeaux, Brest, Tours, St. Nazaire, Langres, Nevers, Nantes, Le Mans and Romorantin, and all were asked to send particulars to the Comité Français of cases needing help.

A letter to the Mayor of each of these cities setting forth in some detail the objects and aims of the fund and the work already accomplished by it, was delivered by our representative in person, together with a check for the relief of war sufferers in each of these districts. The amounts delivered to the various agencies aggregated 40,000 francs.

In every case the War Relief Worker was most courteously received by the Mayor of the town. In Le Mans particularly our Worker reports:

“The Mayor seemed appreciative and keenly sensitive to the relationship established between his office and this Depot through this gift. He controlled his emotions with some difficulty, his eyes filled with tears and his feelings seemed to be deeply moved.”

Such a careful survey of the needs of the town was made by the Mayor and so much good work was accomplished that the Committee felt it right to grant an additional 2500 francs to this Depot.

That the motive animating our relief work was understood in some measure is evident from the following, which appeared in a newspaper of November 10, 1918, called L'Aisne.

“It is not by almsgiving in the name of their religion so widely spread in America, that they seek to aid the victims of the war. It is rather by placing in each man's hand an instrument by which he can overcome evil and so eventually efface all trace of calamity, including war.

“Is there any more beautiful religion than the overcoming of evil? Science, allied with this noble idea of Christianity, which for centuries has taken root in the world, becomes a means of uplifting the individual and his family both mate- rially and morally.

“The wounds to be healed are innumerable. Universal brotherhood which is the basis of the doctrine of Christian Science finds its work here. The motive of the Christian Science War Relief Fund is to put into the hands of persons in distress the means of re-creating by their own efforts an independent position.”

From June, 1918, onwards, the work of the Comité Français has tended more and more towards helping the inhabitants of the devastated regions. The swift advance, followed by the swifter retreat of the Germans, created the most difficult and distressing conditions for the civil population and there was practically no preparation to meet these conditions. Therefore, it was deemed right to send all the help possible into these areas.

This the Committee did in many instances by giving a lump sum for the use of a particular town or region, this sum to be distributed by trustworthy channels such as the Comité de l'Aisne, and the Comité Lyon-St.-Quentin, to whom the sum of 25,000 and 5000 francs were given respectively, at a time of great stress.

After the German retreat the sum of 30,000 francs was given to the city of St. Quentin and to a region west of this place which had been practically destroyed in the recent fighting, and out of this money, among other things, twenty sewing machines were purchased and placed in various centers. They were known as the “Village Machines” and were used in turn by all the inhabitants. The sum of 30,000 francs was also sent to the village of Wavrin, some ten miles south of Lille. This village, which before the war had 5000 inhabitants, all of them superior mechanics, was occupied by the Germans for four years, and in October, 1918, all the inhabitants were evacuated and sent into Belgium. The Germans then put a bomb in each house, and on leaving the town blew them all up. The inhabitants returned on foot from Belgium towards the end of December, a few at a time, and when the chairman of the Comité Français visited the place on December 20, some 2100 people were camping in the ruins, without beds or bedding. The French authorities were able to send only a consignment of food to keep them from starving and the money sent by the Comité Français provided for a substantial distribution of bedding, blankets, warm clothing and boots.

When permission was secured from the French Government to ship consignments of clothing made by the Comforts Forwarding Committees in the United States much joy was felt in France. Five shipments have been sent, a total of 558 cases, containing clothing and comforts of various kinds. It may be of interest to state that among the garments included were bathrobes, shirts, vests, blouses, suits, trousers, for men and boys; chemises, nightgowns, drawers, petticoats, stockings, union suits, dresses, skirts, bonnets, aprons for women and girls; babies' layettes with blankets, bootees, capes, caps, nightdresses, petticoats, sacks, shirts, stockings, diapers, bibs and afghans. Knitted articles including helmets, mittens, shawls, socks, sweaters, caps, wristers, trench caps and many bolts of flannel to be made into new garments were also forwarded in large quantities. We can probably realize only faintly the comfort which such shipments have brought to inhabitants returning to such desolate places as Arras, Bapaume, Béthune, Loos, Lens, etc.

The distribution of the first shipment was made by the wife of one of the French deputies in the department of the Aisne, who exercised the greatest care and wisdom in giving the articles to those who were most needy. The second lot went to the department of the Nord, and the third and fourth to Arras.

The work of the French Committee will continue until no further need of its services is apparent.

Of the fruit of its work it is heartening to think in the words of one of our hymns:

“	No act falls fruitless; none can tell
	How vast its pow'r may be;
	Nor what results enfolded dwell
	Within it silently.”
	⁠—Christian Science Hymnal.