Biography
SILAS J. SAWYER had a flourishing dental practice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when he first learned of Christian Science in 1883. After studying its textbook, Science and Health, he wrote to the author, Mary Baker Eddy, desiring to study with her as soon as possible, and she invited him and his wife, Jennie Sawyer, to enter a Primary class that December. Returning home afterward, Silas taught his first Christian Science class in March 1884, the first held in the state of Wisconsin. He eventually left the practice of dentistry and, largely at his own expense, worked at Mrs. Eddy’s direction to establish groups which would later become churches. He also addressed public meetings and helped to organize Christian Science Institutes in Milwaukee and other parts of the country. Dr. Sawyer had further class instruction from Mrs. Eddy in 1884 and 1886 at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, and in 1887 he helped organize First Church of Christ, Scientist, New York. In 1900, he was appointed to the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.
