Page:The Life of Mary Baker G. Eddy.djvu/313

Rh emphasise the more expressly religious features of Christian Science.

The first Christian Science organisation was that formed June 8, 1875, when eight of Mrs. Eddy's students banded to gether, calling themselves "the Christian Scientists," and pledging themselves to raise money enough to have Mrs. Eddy address them every Sunday. On July 4, 1876, the students reorganised into "The Christian Scientists' Association," and this society still held occasional informal meetings when first a church organisation was talked of.

In 1879 Mrs. Eddy and her students took steps to form a chartered church organisation. They elected officers and directors, and chose a name, "The Church of Christ (Scientist)." On August 6th they applied to the State for a charter. The officers and directors were: Mary B. G. Eddy, president; Margaret J. Dunshee, treasurer; Edward A. Orne, Miss Dorcas B. Rawson, Arthur T. Buswell, James Ackland, Margaret J. Foley, Mrs. Mary Ruddock, Oren Carr, directors.

All proceedings were conducted with the greatest secrecy, as Mrs. Eddy felt that it was imperative that the infant church should be hidden from the knowledge of the mesmerists, Spofford and Kennedy. When it was necessary for the newly elected officers and directors to meet before a notary and to sign the agreement of incorporation, Mrs. Eddy had a long list of notaries looked up, and finally selected one in Charlestown, a man who was known to Margaret Dunshee, and for whom she could vouch that he had no affiliations with mesmerists. The students met at Mrs. Dunshee's house in Charlestown, and, one by one, by circuitous routes, they went to the