and Obstetric class one term. Gen. Erastus N. Bates taught one Primary
class, in 1889, after which I judged it best to close the institution.
These students of mine were the only assistant teachers in the College.

The first Christian Scientist Association was organized by myself and six
of my students in 1876, on the Centennial Day of our nation's freedom. At a
meeting of the Christian Scientist Association, on April 12, 1879, it was
voted to organize a church to commemorate the words and works of our
Master, a Mind-healing church, without a creed, to be called the Church of
Christ, Scientist, the first such church ever organized. The charter for
this church was obtained in June, 1879,[D] and during the same month the
members, twenty-six in number, extended a call to me to become their
pastor. I accepted the call, and was ordained in 1881, though I had
preached five years before being ordained.

When I was its pastor, and in the pulpit every Sunday, my church increased
in members, and its spiritual growth kept pace with its increasing
popularity; but when obliged, because of accumulating work in the College,
to preach only occasionally, no student, at that time, was found able to
maintain the church in its previous harmony and prosperity.

Examining the situation prayerfully and carefully, noting the church's
need, and the predisposing and exciting cause of its condition, I saw that
the crisis had come when much time and attention must be given to defend
this church from the envy and molestation of other churches, and from the
danger to its members which must always lie in Christian warfare. At this
juncture I recommended that the church be dissolved. No sooner were my
views made known, than the proper measures were adopted to carry them out,
the votes passing without a dissenting voice.