First Church of Christ, Scientist, War Relief Committee

“ 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. ”

“ 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.” ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”