Biography
VIOLET SPILLER HAY of London, England, first became interested in Christian Science in 1896, and attended the earliest public meetings held in the Portman Rooms on Baker Street. She spent a few months in Boston, and after returning home to England, entered the public practice of Christian Science in 1901, and helped to establish First Church of Christ, Scientist, London. In 1903, she had Primary class, and after Normal class in 1907 under the Christian Science Board of Education, she became an authorized teacher. By 1915, she was listed in The Christian Science Journal as a teacher and practitioner in Cape Town, South Africa, teaching several classes there. She married Commander the Hon. Sereld Hay, and while serving as Committee on Publication for Cape Province, successfully added a clause to proposed legislation that protected Christian Science practice in South Africa. Violet Hay served on the London and later the Boston committees formed by The Christian Science Board of Directors to revise the Christian Science Hymnal. Seven of her hymns, including No. 136, known in England as “The Airman’s Song of Praise,” are found in the 1932 edition.
