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October, 1914, the War Relief Fund of The Mother Church was opened for the purpose of aiding Christian Scientists who were suffering as a direct result of the war. In addition thereto the European Relief Fund was opened in December, 1914, to assist those who were not Christian Scientists. These two funds were consolidated in April, 1915, from which date, until the present time, relief was extended to those in need, without regard to their religious affiliations.

As appropriations from the War Relief Fund were made to various countries in Europe, including Germany, prior to the United States entering the war in April, 1917, British subjects were estopped by their Government from contributing to such a fund. In order that contributions might properly be received from them, a Special War Relief Fund was provided early in 1917, but before any appropriations could be made therefrom, it was merged with the War Relief Fund upon the removal of such restriction.

With the entrance of the United States into the war, the great opportunity presented itself of ministering to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the