BEGINNINGS
The plans devised for the distribution of the fund in Great Britain served as a model for the committees of other countries visited by the delegate from the Christian Science Board of Directors. A call was made in London upon the representatives of the United States Government and when the purpose of our fund was told them their verdict was expressed in the words, “That is splendid.” In Paris plans were perfected for a committee of four to handle the war relief work for France. A joint meeting of the two churches in Paris was addressed by the delegate, to familiarize the membership with the working plan of the relief fund. In Paris, too, the delegate found the American embassy most cordial, and was told that The Christian Science Monitor was always to be found there.
Similar committees were organized in Geneva for French-speaking Switzerland and at Zurich for German-speaking Switzerland. Then in accordance with instructions from the Christian Science Board of Directors, the delegate made arrangements to extend the benefits of the relief fund to Christian Scientists in Germany also. Here the difficulties encountered at first seemed somewhat discouraging, but with the help of the Committee on Publication in Zurich a necessary letter was secured from the German ambassador at Berne and the journey undertaken. A stop was made at Stuttgart where a member of the Christian Science Society was visited and a message left for the Society explaining the purpose of the relief fund. In Berlin a committee representing the Christian Science Churches and Societies of Germany met to handle the portion of the relief fund which was assigned to them.
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