At annual meeting, Christian Scientists celebrate 'pearl of great price'

What is the "the pearl of great price" referred to by Christ Jesus in the Bible?

For members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, gathered at their annual meeting in Boston Monday, it is the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy, in the late 19th century. She founded the church, she wrote, to “reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.”

Jesus' reference to the "pearl of great price" in the book of Matthew was the theme of the meeting, attended by about 1,400 church members at the denomination's home church in Boston, known as The Mother Church, and by thousands more via the Internet.

Members heard testimonies of physical healings from members, both live and on video, as well as reports from church officers, including a brief update on the church's finances.

The church owns, operates, and provides primary funding for The Christian Science Monitor, the online newspaper and weekly magazine begun as a daily newspaper by Mrs. Eddy in 1908.

“I see on an everyday basis the evidence for Christian Science healing," said Bill Dawley, editor of the church’s religious periodicals and broadcasts via a recorded video. "When I see healings of the symptoms of things like Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes – testimonies like that just say to me that the power of Christian Science is as strong today as it was when Mrs. Eddy discovered this great truth."

Christian Science in the Philippines

Another video shared news about Christian Science activity in the Philippines, including a visit to a remote mountain region where more than 200 Filipinos have formed several informal groups to study Christian Science and worship together.

“People are starting to think more logically about their faith and searching for a more meaningful religion or faith for them,” said Florence Carandang, a church member in Manila. “I feel like what we can offer the community is ... being able to learn more about your relationship to God.”

In a brief financial report, the church's Board chairman, Mary Trammel, noted that, as of the end of the fiscal year April 30, the church had $455 million on hand, including both restricted and unrestricted funds. The church has no outstanding debts, she announced, and its expenditures for the last year amounted to $102 million. The General Fund stands at $164 million.

All these figures have moved in a positive direction since last year, said Ned Odegaard, the church's treasurer, in an interview prior to the meeting.

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