CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR
Room being nearly full. A young officer, in expressing appreciation of these Rooms, said:
“How the work done here will fill your churches. Men get a firm grip on Christian Science in these Rooms, and it is bound to bear fruit wherever they go.”
NEWCASTLE
In Newcastle large numbers of soldiers were stationed for the purpose of coast defence, and early in 1917, the members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, realized that a quiet room for reading and writing was greatly needed to serve the men billeted in the town. The church board room was set aside for this purpose, and was soon overflowing with men grateful to find such a haven of rest. During the earlier hours of the day, the Room was full of convalescent soldiers, who greatly appreciated the Monitor and carried it back with them to their hospitals. The Room was open for rather more than two years, during which period more than 21,000 British soldiers made use of it.
DUBLIN
Later in the same year First Church of Christ, Scientist, Dublin, Ireland, took steps to open a War Relief Room for the large number of soldiers and sailors stationed in or passing through the town. The work was successful from the beginning, but when it was placed under The Mother Church scheme in 1918, there was a marked increase in the attendance, and it was found necessary to open larger premises to accommodate the men. The Rooms undoubtedly filled a great need, as was evidenced by the universal ex-
220
