The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-01
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE GROWING.
Its Followers Have Doubled I'm Number
Since Preac hing Was Discontinued.


An interesting decision affecting the
legal status OF Christian Scientists was
rendered few days ago by Judge Pen
nypaoker in the common pleas court,
Philadelphia, and 1t calls attention to the
astonishing progress of this faith In the
last two years The First Church OF
Christ, Scientist. Of Philadelphia, applied
for charter, and Judge Pennypacker re-
fused it on the ground that TO become IA
mem ber of this church the applicant
must subscribe his BELIEF in the doctrines
of Christian science as contained In Mrs
Eddy's book.
Mary Baker Eddy was the founder OF
the organization, ana Christian Scien-
lists now, disclaim the theory that she
possesses supernatural powers or the gift
of healing to an extent not attained by
many other Christian Scientists. The
Boston church, the First Church OF
Christ, Scientist, Is regarded as the mother
church. and its manner OF worship is a
model for every other church of the faitn
rhe forming of Greater New York brings
seven societies within Its limits Inc
Church Economist says that within q
short period the actual enrolled member
ship OF the Christian cientists has
doubled, mounting In round numbers
from ;5U, 900 to 800, COO. Mr.. Carol Nor
ton, one Of the leading Christian Scien-
lists as quoted by the Church Eoono-
mist as saying:
l,,S hat IL h.s 80 4, a.. u.b
able growth is somewhat puzzlng TO
Christian Scientists themselves. tThey do
not encourage active proselyting. relying
rather on the dissemination Of literature
and the instances Of Christian healing,
which they claim are wholly due to the
Divine impulse. Much OF the literature
IL sent through the mail. but in addition
there are 6o public reading rooms In the
United States and Canada. Over 1000
readers, missionaries, and healers form
tho ministry of the organization. Thirty
cities In this country are erecting Chris
tian Scientist churches at the present
-ttrfc; tho most noteworthy ediilce being
the newly completed Greek temple OF the
Chicago society. Tho organization Is
largely composed of thinking men and
women. strong element being physicians
ana lawyers. IL persons who take enough
interest In the organization to read Its
literature ana attend Its meetings Wore 10
be included in the Rrand total of men,
bership, tho aggregate, it is claimed, wocld
bs half a million.
''1he greatest strides in mem mbership
have been mad0 since the cessation Of all
preaching in 1885, For 20 years the
readers delivered sermons Of the same
general evangelical character that distin-
gulsh other denominations. Bat for three
years now the service In all the societies
has consisted simply of readings respon-
siye liturgy, and exposition Of the Scrip
lures. There are two readers In each
society, who conduct the service through
out. The Office of reader Is derived from
n similar one In the early church. The
organization lays stress upon the point
that IL possesses no pastors. but a single
impersonal one-the Bible with Its sup-
Elementary text book, the Rev. Mary
Baker u. Eddy's Science and Health,
with key To the Scriptures. Every MEM
ber is healer. though some may make
regular profession OF mental healing.
Every mem ber is likewise n missionary,
though there are a large number of pro-
fessionol missionaries who devote their
entire time To mental and physical
healing. IN. Y. sun.