Why "Christian Science game" in a 1902 college-slang article?

[Cohen, Gerald Leonard]

     On 1/30/2005 Benjamin Zimmer presented a 1902 Boston Globe article on college slang. Mention is made of a "Christian Science game," but I don't understand the rationale for the term.  Here's the relevant passage:

'The "Knockers" are a party of juniors who have adopted a scheme to prevent complaints about the food or "knocking."  At the table, if any one forgets himself and "knocks" he has to pay for all the extra dishes ordered.  The scheme has caused an improvement, the  men say, in the bill of fare, and they refer to it as their "Christian Science game."'

    Why "Christian Science?" Would anyone perhaps know?

Gerald Cohen

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