East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-08-13
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AN ISSUE.

The excerpt below from the Journal
o! Man of Chicago, is submitted not
at all in any spirit of controversy, or
endorsement, or non-endorsement. 1t
is, in short, submitted wholly and
solely in the way of information and
dispassionate discussion. Christian
Science is a factor which modern |
Christianity and modern philosophers |
which have no especial religious sig
n'ficance at all, have to allow for
and deal with, whether or no. The
journal of Man is entirely neutral;
Christian Science in Chicago has
drawn upon all ranks and walks OF
life for its followers, and the lawyer
and corporation head rubs shoulders
with the hodcarrier and salesgirl. AT
the testimonial meetings" which are
held in the churches Wednesday
nights it is not uncommon for bank
er to be followed in his tale of how
Christian Science saved him by day
workman whose experience has been
similar.
Beginning with the First church,
which was dedicated in 1897, and
ending with the Fifth church, which
saw its dedication just 10 years later,
the Chistian Scientists of Chicago have
put into operation a building policy
which has resulted in the erection of
five churches which in size and ar
chitectural value compare with any
religious edifices in the city.
In capacity they are built to hold
large congregations: The First church,
at Drexel boulevard and 41st street,
cost $1OS,OOO to build, and seats 1900;
the Second, at Wrightwood and Pine
Grove avenues, cost $4,000, as did
the Third, at Washington boulevard
and Leavitt street, and each has the
same capacity as the First The
Fourth church, at Harvard avenue
and 9th street, cost $4,000, and
holds 1000; with the Fifth church, To-
Gated at 4Sth street and Madison
avenue, has the same capacity, but
leads in the cost of building, repre-
senting an expenditure of $4,000.
In addition to its churches the sect
maintains at Madison street, CEN
tral reading room, supported by all
churches, where the church publica-
tions and literature are kept and dis
seminated. Something. of the earn
estness with which the followers Of
Mrs. Eddy pursue the study of their
religion may be estimated when 1t is
known that the attendance at athe
reading room averages 1000 week;
and the annual sale of books and
periodicals is $4,000. over $500
copies of Mrs. Eddy's books were sold
III one year.
The beginning of Christian Science
In Chicago was small, almost micro
scopic. One or two students of heal
ing began it. That was in 1888. Like
all new movements the start was slow,
although in 1884 enough results had
been obtained to hold meeting of
dozen persons who testified that they
had been healed through Christian
Science, and owed allegiance to the
new religion. But 1t was two years
later before anything resembling an
organization was founded. Then the
first class of students. 2S in number,
banded together to promulgate their
belief In the meanwhile the leader
Of the church, Mrs. Eddy, had paid
two visits to the city, and each visit
gave some slight impetus to the small
movement. While the First church
really was organized in 1886, 1t was
IL years before 1t was large enough
or rich enough to contemplate the
erection Of its own building. So real
~ it took II years for Christian Sci
, ence to get its firm foothold in Chi
, cago.
After this, after the dedication Of