The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1918-09-25
CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS
DO GOOD RELIEF WORK


In the last five months Christian
Scientists without outside appeal have
raised and spent for war relief over
81, 100000 They have given no en-
tertainments for raising money nor
made house to house canvasses but
have merely let it be know among
themselves that money was needed,
and it began to flow in q steady
stream. No one was urged to con-
tribtue or advised that it was duty
to give.
Their men have gone into the ranks
all manners of war work, following
| literally the scriptural command: "Let
not thy left hand know what thy right
doeth.' Until they had an organi-
zation they worked with the Red
Cross, the Y. Nj. G. A., the Army and
Navy leagues and other bodies, bought
bonds, served in canteens and per-
formed varied service otherwise.
What they have been doing by them
selves is reviewed in the Touchstcne
Magazine.
There are 700 forwarding commit
tees over the country with headquar-
ters in Boston. New York volun-
teers alone complete from 1850 to L.
500 garments a week cut from pat
terms furnished by the French, so that
the garments forwarded are in the
styles the recipients like. From Feb
ruary to July, 1926 garments were
sent to refugees. The comforts com
mittee has fitted out ships on which
they have sent overseas garments,
books, jams and jellies, comfort bags,
victrolas with records, pianos and mo-
tor cars.
Though they never force their lit
erature on camps" the article says,
uninterested, yet not one appeals to
them for their reading matter with
out receiving instant response. A
bible, khaki-colored. leather covered
text book Science and Health with
Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Ba-
ker Eddy, quarterly and hymnal are
given to every soldier who wishes
them but not otherwise. When an
automobile lettered with the words
christian Science War Relief and
Camp Welfare Committee" makes its
rounds laden with Christian Science
Monitors the boys at work in the
kitchen squad, lieutenants and cap
tains flock out to get the news.
"The Christian Scientists follow out
army regulations to the letter, sub
hitting to vaccinations, swallowing
pills, going to hospitals or anything
else required of them, but their minds
are mistaken in their belief that help
comes from God. If a war front
practitioner is within reach the CHS
tian Scientist soldier in need appeals
to him for treatment, but if not he
does the best he can for himself, de-
pending upon what he calls "The
Truth" instead of mortal efforts for
healing.
"Christian Scientists make good
fighters because they fight for con-
science sake They believe that a
man cannot fight the great fight with
hate in his mind or a crouch. He
must believe in the cause and what
people should be more inspired to
fight in this great war for freedom
than those who have joined the ranks
Of Christian religion. no matter what
its form. Forty-three Christian
Scientists are under one orthodox
army chaplain, who permits all men
to sing from the Christian Science
song book.
"Forty-two automobiles owned and
operated by the Christian Scientists
are now in use with camp welfare
work in America These carry mail,
run errands, transport soldiers, distri-
butte books and papers; in fact, do any
work that comes up to be done. We'll
fare rooms are established on the
other side that provide soldiers with
a home where they receive practical
help and encouragement. Workers
are recruited as fast as possible and |
sent aboad to carry on the welfare |
uorLr -