First Church of Christ, Scientist, War Relief Committee

“ It was the duty of our chaplain to accompany his ship on these mine-laying excursions, and in addition to the task of providing for the spiritual needs of the men, he was given what was known as a “vigilance watch.” Thus while the other officers slept and the squadron, sometimes accompanied by twelve destroyers and armed cruisers, silently steamed along in the darkness of the North Sea, the Christian Science chaplain was on guard, knowing the power of the ever-presence of God to protect all these ships. There were several submarine attacks on the fleet but none were successful. ”

“ Surely, ‘greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ I am so thankful for the blessed understanding I have of Christian Science and love and reverence Our Leader more every day because she gave this ‘Key to the Scriptures’ to needy humanity. ”

“ We wish to express our gratitude for the provision of literature and our vest-pocket edition of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, for the good things provided through the Comforts Forwarding Committee and the Camp Welfare workers, also for the privilege of holding Christian Science services each Sunday on board our ship.
“It is a comfort for us to know that we have the loving thoughts and prayers of our friends, and Christian Scientists everywhere, helping us in our work, whether it be in the trenches or on the sea. ”

“ In the case of Christian Science chaplains, however, their willingness to conduct undenominational services in addition to their own created a very favorable impression. Chaplains may hold classes for religious instruction, and must supervise the education of those who are deficient in the ordinary branches of learning. They are required to visit and comfort the sick and when their men are called into action the chaplain's place is with the wounded and in the dressing stations. ”

“ The chaplain's cabin became the headquarters for the Science boys and an earnest group gathered in it each day to read the lesson and gain spiritual inspiration for the work in hand. We quote from a letter written by these men to the Christian Science Board of Directors about the time of the annual meeting in June, 1918:
“Dear Friends: We, a group of men serving together on an American man-of-war, take this opportunity of expressing our loyalty to The Mother Church, and the Christian Science Board of Directors in annual meeting assembled. ”

“ History has repeated itself once more and the new kirk has fought its way to a place alongside of the old kirk. It has been an interesting process, and the outcome is notable as an illustration of the liberalizing tendencies of modern opinion, whether religious or political.”
Such was the tolerant and friendly attitude with which the public as a whole accepted the appointment of Christian Science chaplains in the army and navy. ”

“ The fine spirit of cooperation shown by Christian Scientists everywhere in the carrying on of the various war time activities of our denomination, and their unbounded interest in and enthusiasm for the work in all its phases, has produced far-reaching results. ”

“ The rapid and successful building of the organization which cared so satisfactorily for the work in the American and British training camps, and served so remarkably well both the American and the British Expeditionary Forces in France and elsewhere, was the result of genuine and sustained teamwork, a unified effort which was unselfish and generous beyond praise. ”

“ Christian Scientists may well rejoice in the genuine relief afforded, and the manifest healing of fear, limitation, and distress, both physical and mental, accomplished on every hand through the compassionate ministrations of Christian Science, in acknowledgment of which many voluntary testimonials have been received, a few being given in other chapters of this report. ”

“ Chaplain Davis was later transferred to the U. S. S. Columbia.
That the work of the Christian Science chaplains more than justified their appointments there is no doubt. The grateful expressions from the many men to whose spiritual and material needs they ministered is ample proof of this. In addition, the friendly relationship which they have established and maintained with chaplains of other denominations and with representatives of the medical profession did much to sweep away opposition to Christian Science and break down barriers of misconception. ”

“ From here he went about at first on foot, then on a bicycle and later in an army car, delivering Christian Science literature, especially the Monitor, to men in the various units and conducting or organizing Christian Science services for our boys. His senior chaplain wrote:
“Allow me to express to you my appreciation of the way you have carried on your work throughout the division. In the face of very great difficulties you have been untiring and successful in getting to your men. You have set a very inspiring example of devotion to the men in the trenches. ”

“ It has not been possible heretofore to present in a complete and orderly sequence the steps which, during the nearly five years that have marked the world's great unrest, were taken by the Christian Science Church to aid, both in spiritual and material ways, those whose lives were affected in varying degrees by the fortunes of war. ”

“ Regular Christian Science services were also instituted at Cour-Cheverny. Something of the activity of the chaplain for one day will be indicated by the following from one of his letters:
“Tomorrow I must go about the area arranging for Sunday services; must call on the owner of a château to arrange for a dance for the major; look up a man in trouble in one of the battalions; take a book on farming that came to me by mail from Paris to another man; call at the hospital; go to headquarters on two items and arrange for some work for the band. ”

“ Aside from his work as a Christian Scientist in the fleet, our chaplain provided entertainment and amusement for his men. On July 4, 1918, under the supervision of Chaplain Davis, an entertainment was given in Inverness by the men of the American navy to the officers and men of the British navy. It was felt by all present to be a significant event, coming as it did on Independence Day, and its result was to create a splendid spirit of cooperation between the navies of the English-speaking peoples. ”

“ Another after being healed and reading his Science and Health saw that this was the way that he had been seeking, took his discharge saying he ‘could no longer preach the old dogmas’ and went with his little book into civil life to be a Scientist. The fourth was instantly healed of stomach trouble of years' standing and he asked me today to take over his wife's case. The second and fourth chaplains just mentioned are faithful attendants at my service in the Christian Science House and also make it their place of meeting with me each day. ”

“ After the signing of the armistice this division moved to the Le Mans area and the chaplain became active in helping the men in that district, beginning Christian Science services at the Forwarding Camp where there were some 40,000 men and at the Belgian Camp where there were about 20,000. In one of his letters he says:
“At the Forwarding Camp two Y. M. C. A. girls have been a great help. They are both devoted students of Christian Science and alternated as Second Reader when no one else in camp was available.” ”

“ The administration of the fund in foreign lands deserves the warmest commendation. Concerning this work as carried on in England, France and Italy, the report will be quite complete. Less, however, can be related of that done in Holland, Denmark and Switzerland, for the reason that personal contact with these countries during the latter years of the war was most difficult and information is only now slowly filtering in. In these places, however, devoted Scientists have been administering the funds of the Committee wisely and helpfully and doing great good. ”

“ As individual Christian Scientists, living in far corners of the world, unorganized groups scattered here and there, societies and churches, large and small, had responded to the opportunity to aid the war sufferers, when it was first presented to them in 1914, so they eagerly answered the call made in November, 1917, to extend this work. ”

“ The story of the work in France is quite out of the ordinary and for that and other reasons will strongly appeal to all Christian Scientists. While the workers selected for the service had many extremely interesting and unusual experiences, it should be remembered that they had not a few unusual burdens to bear, since conditions in France in 1918 were in many respects difficult and trying. ”

“ They were given the freedom of quarantined areas and base hospitals, where Christian Science Monitors were distributed freely. Occasionally talks on Christian Science were given to the officers of the camp upon their own request; and official government notice of services published in the “daily communique” were read at “formation” before every man in camp. At Wednesday evening meetings often a discussion of means of protection against all possible enemy attack ensued, and men were thereby mentally armored for the strife before them. ”

“ Your task is peculiarly difficult because of the fact that your men are scattered and you cannot throw yourself into the little group in which you live, and feel justified in forgetting all the rest of the division. In a way the ordinary battalion chaplain has an easier task. ”

“ This made it possible for the members of these denominations to have the services of a chaplain of their own faith and to have services conducted according to the tenets of their church.
A person seeking a commission in the army as a chaplain must make application to the Adjutant General in Washington. He must be a citizen of the United States over 21 and under 45 years of age; must be a graduate of a recognized college or university or able to pass an examination in certain subjects named by the Adjutant General ”

“ This was one of the finest and largest camps in France, having a capacity of 25,000, with some 13,000 troops generally in waiting there on, their way back to the United States. The population was constantly changing, which gave the chaplain opportunity of reaching new men continually with the Truth. Two regular army services were conducted in a “Y” hut each Sunday and soon after the chaplain's arrival Christian Science boys in attendance at these undenominational talks marked our chaplain for a Scientist and sought him out afterwards. ”

“ Certain definite duties are prescribed for chaplains, probably chief of which is the maintenance of the morale of the men under their care. They are, of course, required to hold religious services whenever circumstances permit, being obliged only to hold those of the denomination to which they belong. ”

“ This support, always extended in a whole-hearted and unquestioning manner by those at home, was undoubtedly the chief explanation of the splendid results obtained. With such backing, success was inevitable. ”

“ When the armistice was declared this chaplain was cited by Headquarters and chosen for duty with the 90th Division, having the freedom of the entire Army of Occupation for his field, however. He was located at Berncastel on the Moselle, where he soon secured permission to open a Christian Science soldiers' reading room which was utilized by many of the men. Later reading rooms where Christian Science literature could be obtained were also established under his supervision at Hillisheim, Daun, Zeltinger, Kinheim, Longkamp, Neumagen. ”

“ These persons devoted their full time to the work, often lived in the camps and were subject to transfer without notice. The policy of the Board of Directors, in the matter of compensation paid the salaried workers, was generous and in every case enabled them to carry on their work free from financial anxiety. The body of the report will bear rich and varied testimony as to the high character and value of the work performed by these men and women. ”

“ At the time of the greatest activity, there were in operation in the United States, Canada, England and France, something over one hundred Welfare rooms, tents and buildings. Some of these are pictured in the pages of this report. These photographs indicate the care and thought given to this important branch of the work. In our own buildings and equipment, including some additional tents and rooms elsewhere, the Committee had invested upward of $150,000. Equipment has been disposed of advantageously, in many instances at better than sixty per cent of its cost. ”

“ You will find enclosed a check for ten dollars, five of which is to pay for the cable and the other as a thank offering.”
True reciprocity from a soldier in the American Expeditionary Forces:
“I am sending subscription price for all Christian Science periodicals, the Christian Science Quarterly, and Science and Health printed in alternate French and English. I am being greatly helped every day by the articles in the Monitor and Journal and wish as many others as possible to have the same privilege.” ”

“ Don C. Gilman, were admitted as candidates to a Chaplains' Training School held at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky. Of these, two finished the prescribed five weeks' course in four weeks and received their commissions. While at Camp Taylor the influenza epidemic was at its height and these candidates were asked to do hospital duty, which resulted in healing to many.
Mr. Filler and Mr. Bartlett were graduated in November, received sailing orders at once and left for France on November 15 to be assigned upon their arrival overseas. ”

“ As the needs became clearly apparent, additional appropriations in varying amounts were made to Armenia, Syria, Belgium, Poland, Roumania, Serbia, Lithuania, Russia, Turkey in Asia, Jamaica, Australia, Canada and Mexico, totaling $88,000. ”