Mr. Carpenter’s Experience at Pleasant View

The entire effort made at Pleasant View under the direction of our Leader, was to introduce into human thought the divine power. It was the first consideration, and under her instruction, direction and example, we all labored unceasingly for this end. For two years, before I received the call to serve our Leader in her home, whenever I turned my thought toward Pleasant View, with a desire to aid her in the unselfish work of leavening the thought of the world with Truth, it was always uplifted and received inspiration. I speak of this matter, because, when I was notified by the Board of Directors in March, 1905, to go to Pleasant View, it seemed but another step in a demonstration that had led me, each evening, to walk up to a high terrace near my home, and attempt to mingle my thought in love and helpfulness with her effort to call down from on high those spiritual blessings, which were for the feeding of humanity.

Before Christian Science healed me in 1894, I was almost a chronic sufferer with a claim of nervous indigestion, which would keep me at home on the slightest provocation. Therefore, it is natural that the first thought that came to me after I had arrived at Pleasant View, was in connection with my health. Involuntarily, the thought awakened in me that, no matter what the physical manifestation might be, I should never take the time to treat myself. I realized that if I did, error might use that means to keep me perpetually at work to maintain my physical harmony, with the result that my work for our Leader and the Cause would suffer. I then realized that I must meet this suggestion by refusing to acknowledge its necessity.

After I had been in the home for about ten days, the thought struck me, what shall I do if I fall ill? The rest of the household have their work to do, and I am sure I cannot ask Mrs. Eddy for help. Furthermore, no-one is called to this home, until he has proved his ability to demonstrate his health through his understanding of Christian Science.

I opened my thought to God for guidance on this point, with the question in my mind, “What causes disease? What causes the human manifestation that is commonly called sickness?” The answer came right back to me, “Truth causes disease.” I mention this matter, because this answer was entirely contrary to everything I had ever learned in Christian Science. Hence, I knew that the reply had not been evolved from my own thinking. Therefore, it came either through divine Mind or animal magnetism.

When the true spiritual inwardness of this answer was made plain to me, I perceived that I had received a revelation from God. The experience was fraught with blessing, and through it, I tasted for the first time what it meant to live in a demonstrated atmosphere maintained by our Leader, and also, the ease with which divine unfoldments would flow into man, when the obstructions of animal magnetism were rightly handled.

From that day to this, I have never doubted the scientific correctness of this revelation, that Truth was the cause of disease. My first step in understanding such a cryptic and apparently unscientific statement, was to visualize a small brook running down a mountain, gathering impurities on its way. Yet, the stream remains sweet and pure until it becomes dammed, with the impurities collected in a stagnated place to form a plague spot. The dam must be broken, therefore, in order that this unhealthy condition may be eliminated, and the primitive purity restored to the little brook.

Next, I saw an electric current harmoniously and uninterruptedly flowing over a wire, carrying to countless homes the benefits of light, heat and power. But the wire breaks, and at the break appears burning, flashing and destruction. When, however, the break in the wire is repaired, this discord disappears.

Now the lesson was clear to me. As man attains a knowledge of Truth, he becomes a channel through which the unbroken power of infinite good flows out to the universe. This idea is clearly elucidated in Zechariah 4, where God’s anointed ones are pictured as emptying the golden oil out of themselves through the golden pipes. Mrs. Eddy employs the illustration of mortals as windowpanes, being the channels through which the light passes. This divine essence not only blesses humanity, but it sustains the channel through which it flows.

When, however, in the temptations of this mortal dream, man turns his thought in to himself, he produces thereby a belief of interruption of this divine power; then stagnation, inflammation, congestion and destruction result. Furthermore, the greater man’s demonstration has been to open his thought to reflect and transmit the divine power, the greater the belief of discord, when that power is misused by being turned into man.

Thus, it is plain that the only remedy would be to be “absent from the body and present with the Lord,” or, as Mrs. Eddy expresses it in Science and Health, page 261, “We should forget our bodies in remembering good and the human race.” This reasoning throws light on Job 42:10, where we can deduce that Job’s troubles were due to an inturned thought, since it reads, “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.”

If one asks, how this discussion unfolds the fact that Truth causes the physical manifestation called disease, I would respond by requesting him to answer this question: Would he deny, that the electric power produced the burning and flashing at the ends of the broken wire? It is self-evident that, without the electricity, the broken wire would have been nothing of any serious nature. The electric power did not produce the break in the wire, to be sure, but it caused the attendant manifestation. It is obvious, that Christian Science does not teach that Truth causes the belief of a sickly condition of in-turned thought in mortal man, but, because such a selfish mental condition represents an interruption in man’s reflection of the divine power, that divine power is distorted into inharmony and discord, just as the smooth-flowing electricity is transformed into a destructive condition. This view corresponds with Mrs. Eddy’s statement in Science and Health, page 404, “The healthy sinner is the hardened sinner,” where sin is gauged by the degree to which man has shut his thought to the reflection of Truth. The more Truth a man reflects, the more he suffers when he turns his thought in. But, when thought is once more turned out, the restoration of harmony is immediate.

So, to state the revelation in a more understandable way, I would say that God never makes man sick, or produces sickness, since sickness is an error of mortal belief, or sickly thinking. But the action of Truth results in sickness, in the sense that it brings error to the surface. Human thinking is sickly thinking. The next point is, that animal magnetism covers over this sickly thinking with a deception of human harmony. Next Truth comes, removes the deception, and brings out the phenomenon of Truth apparently causing sickness, where before there was seeming harmony. Yet the sickly cause was there, and Truth merely brought it to the surface, much as the developing fluid in photography brings out some hideous picture on a plate, that before was invisible. The picture was there, but not visible.

As further proof of the divine nature of this revelation, I will relate the circumstances connected with the first time I fell ill, while at Pleasant View. Remembering the above revelation, I resolved to test it out. I sat down by the window, and let my thought go out in prayer to all the sufferers in the world in hospitals; in sick rooms; those condemned under the classification, incurable; those without knowledge of the presence of God to care for them; to bring them the truth, that there is no incurable disease and that, even though they did not know it, they do have a heavenly Father who is the great Physician, who “healeth all thy diseases.” I let my thought issue forth to all who needed God, with the true realization of the God that is all-presence, all-power and Love. When I returned from this mental journey, I found myself well. Through this process, I restored my thought to being a channel for good, and thereby eliminated the ill effects, which were the outward proof of an in-turned thought. During the year I was at Pleasant View, this divine mode of effort, which I believe was God-inspired, never failed me.

I include this unfoldment in these pages, because it reveals that Mrs. Eddy maintained such a spiritually ascending thought in her home, that it aided her students in receiving spiritual revelation and inspiration through unfoldment.

Holy Water of Inspiration

The fifth chapter of Numbers contains the account of what was called the trial of jealousy. In it, the suspected woman is made to drink of the holy water. If she has committed adultery, the water is bitter and causeth a curse, whereas, if she has not committed adultery, she shall be free.

What concerns us is the spiritual interpretation of this ancient Mosaic custom, wherein the holy water typifies the spiritual inspiration which comes from the divine source.

From the standpoint of Christian Science, animal magnetism acts upon spiritual thought as that which would confuse, depress and render fearful, the consciousness that should be strong, positive and courageous. But, in this passage, the tables are turned; for it indicates that the effect of inspiration on a thought adulterated with error, mortal mind theories and beliefs, is to produce a chemicalization.

If one’s thought is on a mortal level, even if it be purified to the highest possible degree, Truth will cause such to chemicalize.

This statement is made without reservation, because it is a metaphysical fact. It embodies the only explanation of why many splendid men and women fight spiritual inspiration, persecute it and revile it. That is, it indicates that their basis of thought is the human mind, even though it may be refined. To such, the coming of Truth acts like something from the devil; it makes them uncomfortable and produces a stir.

It is necessary to know this, in order that one may understand the true reason for much of the persecution Mrs. Eddy endured at the hands of cultured and refined men and women.

In Christian Science, adultery, spiritually considered, is the state of human thought where mortal mind is the underlying basis, no matter how refined and educated such a thought may be. To correspond with this trial of jealousy, the holy water of inspiration which Mrs. Eddy poured forth, really constituted a trial for mental adultery. If Mrs. Eddy’s draught of inspiration reacted like a curse and produced a mental chemicalization, that was sufficient evidence to prove that the basis of one’s thought was mortal and material.

Hence, when Mrs. Eddy voiced inspiration and gave humanity a cup of water in Christ’s name, although, in agreement with Science and Health, page 570, she did not fear the consequences, yet they often seemed serious, due to the fact that those on a human level of thought and action chemicalized so over her outpouring, that they turned on her, as if she had committed an evil thing. However, such antagonism merely exposed the adultery of their thought. How different was the action of this inspiration on those whose foundation of thought was changing from the human to the divine. They drank in her sweet revelations, as would a thirsty man on the desert welcome a drink of cool water on a hot day. She gladly shared her revelations with such, and trusted God to protect her from those who turned on her, because their own thought was fundamentally unsound.

So this ancient Mosaic custom, spiritually interpreted, helps the present-day student to understand the strange phenomenon of fine men and women turning on Mrs. Eddy, as if she had given them a bitter dose, when, in reality, she simply voiced, with the highest and most loving motive, the messages of good which she received from God. She expressed this in her own words as follows: “When I went where the people were not good it produced a chemical. While I was writing S. & H. I moved to eight places. I would no sooner settle down and begin to write, than it would produce such a chemical I would have to go to some other place.”

Mrs. Eddy Guided by Spiritual Perception

One of the interesting parts of Adam H. Dickey’s Memoirs of Mary Baker Eddy is found on page 114, as follows: “A story is told of Charles M. Schwab, the steel magnate, who was reared under the tutelage of Andrew Carnegie. One day, the story goes, when Mr. Schwab was Carnegie’s chief lieutenant, he described to his superior some action he had taken and then started to explain why he had taken it. ‘Oh, never mind the reason, Charlie,’ Carnegie broke in, ‘what you do is always right, but your reasons for it are always wrong.’”

Mr. Dickey states as follows: “Often the reasons for which our Leader took action in certain directions were not clear to the workers about her. It would seem as if the reason advanced by her was a poor one, and not worthy of the action she was taking. It always turned out, however, that her action was right, regardless of the reason assigned, which convinced those who were familiar with her work, that her judgment was unerring in every direction, and that in following the direction of divine Wisdom, she never made a mistake.”

In Miscellany, on page 205, there is a letter to Third Church of Christ, Scientist, in London. Mrs. Eddy dictated the first draft of this letter to me. As I transcribed it on the typewriter, I thought how strange were some of the statements that it contained. For instance, she wrote, “Seeing a man in the moon, or seeing a person in the picture of Jesus, or believing that you see an individual who has passed through the shadow called death, is not eeing the spiritual idea of God; but it is seeing a human belief, which is far from the fact that portrays Life, Truth, Love.” When she cabled to the clerk of the church to return her letter unopened, I was convinced that she had done it in order to remove some of the statements which seemed unusual to me. On the contrary, she merely made a few minor changes and remailed the letter.

Then the wisdom back of her action was unfolded to me. As I have stated before, I was instructed by Mrs. Eddy to give her those letters which could not be answered without her help. The remainder were attended to by the secretaries. Thus I knew, that for some time letters had been coming to Mrs. Eddy which she had not seen, and which contained questions raised by students of Christian Science. To be specific, several called attention to a distinguishable portrait of Mrs. Eddy in the shadows on the full moon, and requested to know whether this fact had spiritual significance. Another case came from my own home, Providence, where a portrait of the boy, Jesus, hung in the Christian Science Reading Room. When viewed in a certain light, his face resembled Mrs. Eddy’s. One practitioner had actually piloted a group of students to the rooms just to see this phenomenon.

Strangely enough, just at the time of the writing of this letter to London, there was an epidemic of these questions regarding natural phenomena, of which Mrs. Eddy was not cognizant. Yet wisdom guided her to correct this error, and to associate with spiritualism all such notions, namely, the belief that in any way mortal mind or matter can express Spirit. She established for all time the fact that such phenomena have no scientific significance.

This incident illustrates what Mr. Dickey mentioned. The only reason I failed to understand Mrs. Eddy’s wisdom in including these statements in her letter, was my own forgetfulness of the need at that time, a need which inspiration met through her, although humanly she was quite unaware of it.

Another illustrative point concerns the formation of the By-law relative to a three-year term for Readers. It was generally understood, that it was instituted to cover the case of a student who was using the position of First Reader to dominate the members of her church. This reason might seem like an insufficient excuse to introduce a new By-law into the Manual. However, it was one of the wisest moves Mrs. Eddy ever made.

She acted to meet what might seem to be a small error. Yet later, it was discovered that she had met a universal need of the whole Cause for all time. She was like the little boy who saved the country, by holding his finger all night in a small hole in the dike. When he saw such a small stream, he might have been tempted to ignore it; whereas, if he had, the whole countryside would have been inundated. So, the only proper deduction to accept about Mrs. Eddy’s reasons for doing certain things, is that her higher wisdom led her to be punctilious in matters which seemed so insignificant and personal to the students, that they were not worth the effort she exerted to meet them. Yet, in stopping the small gap, she met the greater need connected with a world-wide error.

Some of the most significant achievements in Christian Science, the most far-reaching effects, originated in Mrs. Eddy’s endeavor to meet what would seem to be a personal and specific abuse, as this example of the threeyear term for Readers in all Christian Science churches. Mrs. Eddy saw the need of destroying the possibility of the student in question holding a position in the church that carried too much temptation for personal leadership. Yet, in order to do it impersonally, she made the whole Field, who were loyal and obedient, acquiesce to this demand. What a forward step this proved to be for the whole Cause of Christian Science! Our Leader perceived that the position of Reader constituted a training ground for students, an educational experience, which would be made more far-reaching by rotation in office. Hence, her readiness to meet the demands of a little outcropping of error, resulted in a universal rule being established.

Another important lesson hinted at by this episode, relates to all inspirational interpretation of Scripture. On the surface, the Bible seems to be personal and to refer merely to the incidents, significant and insignificant, in the lives of those who lived many hundreds of years ago. Yet, because the histories of these patriarchs, prophets and saints can be shown to have embodied universal spiritual rules, the first step in understanding the Bible must be to begin discovering these universal laws, buried beneath what seem to be experiences of individuals. The Bible is like the light from some distant star which seems small. Astronomers, however, are able, through that light, to calculate the distance, and also the composition, of that star. Similarly, it is possible to discover exemplified, through every incident in the Bible, some universal spiritual law that is infinite in its implication and application.

Mrs. Eddy was so spiritually attuned, that even a slight need in her Cause would start her thought functioning spiritually, in order to proclaim a truth that was universal in its adaptation. In this characteristic of our Leader, we are reminded of a sprinkler system, designed to extinguish the smallest fire before it can gain any headway. One seemingly small need would start Mrs. Eddy’s whole spiritual system operating.

The deduction from the foregoing reasoning is that the story about Andrew Carnegie does not strictly apply to Mrs. Eddy, for she did not do right things with a wrong conception of what made her do it.

The students were tempted to criticise Mrs. Eddy for making too much of little things, things which appeared on the surface to be merely natural manifestations. These, Mrs. Eddy would so often attribute to malicious animal magnetism. The students did not realize, as she did, that animal magnetism often works through the natural and insignificant, concealing itself in this subtle way. Mrs. Eddy said to the students at one time, “We must overcome all little things as well as large. We must not feel too much encouraged over a victory, for everything in mortal mind must be overcome. If you fail in one iota, like an example in mathematics, every figure right but one, the example is incorrect; so it is with our problem. All little things must be overcome. Then we rise above substance matter; and that includes sin, sickness, death. I pray and watch in the little details; someone must, as good is expressed in the minutiae of things.”

There are always three ways to account for a so-called natural effect: it may be the manifestation of a purely natural condition of mortal thought; it may be the result of animal magnetism, maliciously directed; it may be the action of Truth causing chemicalization. It requires an awakened spiritual thought to determine, through probing beneath the surface, what the specific error back of any manifestation is.

When Cain and Abel brought their offerings to the Lord, it demanded spiritual perception to determine that back of Abel’s offering was spiritual thought, and back of Cain’s was mortal mind. The correctness of the analysis which accepted one, and had not respect to the other, was proved later, when Cain’s underlying error of thought was exposed through the murder of his brother. Nevertheless, to the senses, there seemed little difference between the firstling of the flock and the fruit of the ground. The secret motive and thought back of them were what made the distinction.

Cain’s offering represented a seemingly innocent manifestation, the fruit of the ground; yet it was not acceptable, because the motive back of it was to perpetuate, rather than to eliminate, a finite sense. Cain sought God’s blessing on human harmony. The error of such a motive was exposed, when it proved to be no protection against the suggestion of murder.

No one is surprised when a girl, detecting a dishonorable intent, refuses flowers that are sent to her. Her intuition detects a wrong motive back of them, which makes them unacceptable to her.

Animal magnetism represents dirt in the mental realm. Unless it is detected and cast out, it despoils the purity and integrity of our mental home. Mrs. Eddy taught that it is powerless, but she also roused students to fear it to the point, where they would be awakened to detect it and cast it out.

Material dirt takes many forms. Right methods are requisite to eliminate it successfully. Similarly, Mrs. Eddy’s exhaustive teaching, concerning the nature of animal magnetism, is intended to equip the student with effective means of disposing of it.

Mrs. Eddy’s reasons for what she did, were always spiritual. Her decisions were based on spiritual perception. A student who could not discern mental cause and effect, might feel at times that Mrs. Eddy had insufficient reason for acting as she did, especially in the details of running her home. She once said, that in forty years she had not made a single mistake in being guided in matters pertaining to her Cause. In like manner, she could have said, that never once did she make a move, or give an order or rebuke, that concerned anyone in her household, that was not for his spiritual good, no matter how much it may have seemed to the contrary. Her offerings were always acceptable to God, because the motive back of them was right.

Demonstrating the Meals at Pleasant View

On another page of this volume is a reference to Mrs. Eddy’s use of the word opium, that deserves comment. In the chapter on arsenic, the fact is presented that matter in itself contains not the slightest inherent power. Hence, when our Leader used such terms, she referred to the action of mortal mind, as it claimed to produce the effect on the individual, that is usually supposed to come through the drug or the poison.

It is a well-known fact that man is induced to take opium because it promises a sleepy sense, in which he imagines himself to be rich and powerful, secure and healthy. Hence, it is plain that by the term opium, Mrs. Eddy referred to the action of animal magnetism, in its tendency to produce a sleepy sense of contentment and well-being, in those who should be spiritually alert and watchful. Jesus might well have called it opium, when he found his disciples put to sleep at a time when he needed their support. Therefore, when Mrs. Eddy found her students going to sleep mentally, when they should have been awake, she found it more effectual in rousing thought to call it opium, or ether, than merely to call it sleepiness. This same point may be found in her use of the word immorality, where she referred, not to man’s actions, but to the innate depravity of the human mind.

Another point that needs explication is Mrs. Eddy’s reference, on page 48 of this book, to a struggle with indigestion. Let me say, that Mrs. Eddy’s struggle with indigestion was as far removed from the struggle an average person might have with that claim, as is the common warfare against evil from the animal magnetism Mrs. Eddy had to overcome in writing Science and Health.

The common belief of indigestion is connected with the condition of the food one eats. Divine metaphysics reveals another phase of this same claim, that might result from food that had been impregnated with the poison of mortal thought. This latter phase, however, can touch only those who have grown so spiritually sensitive, that they can detect and be affected by the unscientific state of mind of the one who prepares or serves the food.

It was not to be expected that Mrs. Eddy’s cook could assume the entire burden of preparing her food, and at the same time make the complete spiritual demonstration. Therefore, the other workers in the home were expected to take part in this most vital work; vital because our Leader could feel a lack of demonstration connected with her food more keenly than in any other direction, because of the magnitude of her demonstration of being nourished spiritually.

It follows, therefore, that if, three times a day, Mrs. Eddy could feel the sustaining quality of her students’ demonstration as expressed in the food prepared for her, that would greatly aid her in keeping her thought spiritually uplifted. It must be understood, that when Mrs. Eddy was able to maintain her thought where it belonged, a lack of demonstration in the home in any direction was no problem to her. She could rise above it easily. When the students were rebuked for a lack of demonstration, therefore, it was always proof that error was reaching out in an effort to rob her of her spiritual thought. It was then that she depended on the spiritual readiness of her students in coming to her defence.

I can recall being given the privilege of bringing our Leader’s dinner to her each noon in her room. I am convinced that it was her hope, that in performing this service, I would make the demonstration which would make the food acceptable to her, not bringing it in to her until it had been purged of mortal mind, and made a channel for a spiritually uplifting thought. She hoped that I might have the spiritual perception to see the Spirit of God operating through the food to bless her, because it had been taken out of the realm of matter and put into the realm of Mind. Yet, because, when the food was not acceptable, she did not rebuke me, I failed in this priceless privilege and was replaced. Not until I began the inspirational study of our Leader’s life, did I perceive how she hoped to be left free to establish the Cause, by having the students run the home on a metaphysical basis; but alas, our sense of Christian Science was too limited, and we failed her.

We read of kings in olden times who employed food tasters, who were expected to partake of each dish prepared for the master, in order to ascertain whether poison had been mixed with the food. In this way, the life of a king was often saved.

One might say, that from the metaphysical standpoint, the students at Pleasant View were food tasters for our Leader. Theirs was the task of detecting, through spiritual perception, whether the food served to Mrs. Eddy was mixed with the poison of the human mind, even though manifested in a sense of human love and loyalty. To fulfill this task successfully was to lighten Mrs. Eddy’s labors, and to give her more freedom to do the larger work for the Field and the world. The motto of their work was, “O taste and see that the Lord is good;” see that the food was impregnated with the goodness of God, and not the poison of human thinking, before it was taken to our Leader.

When one has reached the spiritual point of depending on God for Life, it is fatuous to serve that one with material food, believing that apart from its spiritual significance, it has the power to give strength and satisfaction. It was a possibility for the student who cooked our Leader’s meals, or served them, to give them, in that simple act, the spiritual quality necessary to sustain her. Since this work was a vital necessity only when she herself was not up to the mark spiritually, it becomes plain why the possibility existed of this work being neglected.

One might ask why many of the points in this volume were not recorded or explained by Mrs. Eddy. The answer is plain. She was continually struggling with the mighty problems of the world, which gave her little time to think about herself. If she had taken time to withdraw from her larger work, she could have made many things plain, but would this not thereby have robbed the students? Why? Because there is no finer process to help one to develop his spiritual thought, than to take problems for which there is no human solution, and to work them out spiritually. Hence, students can feel grateful, that the life of their Leader presents many phases which seem dark and inexplicable from a human standpoint, since, thereby, they are provided with opportunities for spiritual growth that are precious beyond words, as they lift thought to the place where the spiritual answer will flood in.

Mrs. Eddy’s Three-fold Demonstration

One morning during the year 1907, Mrs. Eddy opened the Bible to Isaiah 16:14: “But now the Lord hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.”

At this time she said, “From the beginning and all the way along, I got my leading from God, through the Bible. Right in the beginning I got, ‘Write it in a book and it shall be for all time.’ Today He is speaking to me again, Isaiah 16:14. I am sure this will be fulfilled, but don’t tell anyone about it.”

Did Mrs. Eddy recognize this verse as a prophecy of her death, which came about three years later?

I think that Mrs. Eddy foretold, through this prophecy, that within three years she would have endured to the end, where her work of building the great Cause of Christian Science would be finished and complete. Then her servitude as an hireling would terminate.

All Christian Scientists are under the necessity of being servants of the Cause of Christian Science, of supporting it, and of demonstrating that physical strength and well-being, that will enable them to do the necessary work. Yet, in a measure, are not such activities servitude, since they are to a great extent, a compromise with mortal mind, and require a necessary building up of the human?

Mrs. Eddy had no morbid sense that this passage predicted her death; of that I am sure. She was more like the butterfly in the cocoon, realizing that, within a certain length of time, her demonstration would loose the bonds of limitation and she would be free.

However, the three years did not represent solar years, any more than did Jesus’ three days in the tomb mean seventy-two hours. Rather did they typify the threefold demonstration which Mrs. Eddy points out on page 508 of Science and Health, “The third stage in the order of Christian Science is an important one to the human thought, letting in the light of spiritual understanding. This period corresponds to the resurrection, when Spirit is discerned to be the Life of all, and the deathless Life, or Mind, dependent upon no material organization.”

These three steps are represented by the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the recognition of God as the source, man as reflecting this infinite power, and finally, the divine expectancy that puts the power into operation with certainty. It is the understanding of Principle, the realization of the rights of man, as a son of God, to apply this power to the needs of mankind, and finally, that inspirational consciousness that makes demonstration effective.

This conception is illustrated by the three Hebrew captives in the fiery furnace, whose consolidated demonstration brought forth the evidence of the Christ, or spiritual “I,”in the midst of them, and exemplified the Master’s statement, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20.

In order to bring the Christ to view, and gain the protection that means freedom from the flesh, or the true resurrection, three salient qualities must unite in one: the spiritual courage that recognizes the presence of God, the understanding of man reflecting the divine ability to replace fear with the consciousness of God, and finally, that holy and inspirational thought which lifts man above the human, so that he can walk over the angry waters of mortal belief.

Therefore, to Mrs. Eddy, these three years typified her final proof of embodying within herself this three-fold demonstration; the recognition of God as the source, of man as reflecting this infinite power, and of man’s inspirational consciousness, which puts into successful operation the demonstration that brings the Christ-idea to light. At this point, she would be lifted above the necessity for organization, either as a material body within, or the Christian Science organization without. It was Mrs. Eddy’s point of freedom.

Mrs. Eddy Accomplished Her Earthly Mission

The Christian Scientist does not wait until death appears, to do the work necessary to overcome it. Neither does he wait until he can make a complete demonstration over matter before he attacks it. Once he has gained some recognition of the Principle of being, as everlasting Life, he may suffer, he may be frightened, he may be sick or feel weak; but he will be sustained and be enabled to finish his tasks. When he does finally have the claim of death to face, he will discover that, every time he persisted in withdrawing thought from matter and then, giving it back to God with the mortal limits removed, he was handling death, just as when someone peeling the different layers of an onion, reaches the center and finds that there is nothing there, nothing left to do, it has all been done. He has endured unto the end, as the Master said, and hence, is saved the necessity of doing more.

Mrs. Eddy endured to the end, thus gaining her salvation. She endured, until she had accomplished her earthly mission, until she had finished that part of her destiny, until she had promulgated and perpetuated that which, as a messenger from God, she had received to give out to mankind.

There were times when I beheld our Leader in the throes of a struggle with the claim of death. Yet I watched her return to a full sense of vigor, without undergoing a period of convalescence. In fact, I can truthfully say that I never saw our Leader in a period of so-called convalescence. On such occasions, she reminded me of a rubber ball which is squeezed out of shape, but which returns to its normal condition the moment the pressure is released. If, during the night, she had a struggle with some phase of error, the morning would find her at her desk, serene and busy, with full command of the situation. The reason for these instantaneous healings may be found in the fact, that within herself she had established the Principle of Life, the true sense of it, which is all the conviction man needs to carry him safely through any struggles with the claims of evil.

If a man was on a staging which he knew was firmly attached to a building, he would know that no wind could blow it away nor cause it to fall. Armed with this knowledge, he has confidence to remain on it, no matter how much it might be blown about, because this confidence would sustain him until the completion of the work.

This human sense of life, properly understood, is a staging which sustains man, as he attempts to build up in his consciousness a new idea of man. In the case of the Master, when he had completed his work on the right idea of man, he calmly permitted his enemies to work their will on the staging. He no longer needed it to continue with his work, his final proof that they could not harm him. The temporary staging is not needed after a building is completed.

While man continues in the belief of a mortal sense of life, the process whereby he gains the true understanding of Life is identical with the process whereby he is permanently attached to his real self, the self which is eternal with God. During the process of enduring to the end, it is as important to be attached to our real selfhood, as it is to be attached to God; in fact, the two processes are one, for man’s real self is never separated from God. It was Mrs. Eddy’s recognition of her oneness, not only with the Father, but with her real self, that enabled her to endure to the end, the point at which the human staging was no longer a necessity. She once said, “’He that endureth unto the end shall be saved.’ Jesus endured; after he disappeared from their view, he endured. The Lord delayed his coming, so the disciples went back to their nets. He endured; he showed the same nail-prints and the same body after as before, showing it was the same Jesus. So we shall be saved, if we endure.”

Mrs. Eddy’s Insistence on Mental Alertness

Everything that nature gives man by way of food, is composed of two parts: that which is edible and nourishing, and that which is worthless and must be discarded. It is man’s task to learn by experiment and experience to separate between the two.

The student never needs to travel the bypaths Mrs. Eddy investigated. There were many human incidents in her life which must be expounded. She instructed us to follow her only as she followed Christ. Yet, there are some things which students feel it is the part of loyalty to overlook, and which they do not delve into lest, through misunderstanding, they might find themselves criticising their Leader. This tendency might cause the student to reject the very things in Mrs. Eddy’s experience which exemplified a signal following of Christ.

Orthodox religion esteems one loyal to God for overlooking the evidences of God’s wrath, jealousness and fickleness, because they cannot be explained. This inclination has built up such a false sense of God, that it is the task of a lifetime to resurrect any conception of God on a truly scientific basis.

When an individual attains greatness, some maintain that everything in the life of such a one must be great. Others argue that, because there are spots on the curtain, the whole should be thrown away. Certainly, there must be a middle ground. Is it not possible to differentiate and determine just what should be retained, and what should be discarded?

No doubt, Mrs. Eddy was pushed by animal magnetism at times, so that she made missteps. Yet, did these apparent failures prevent her persistent growth and achievement? Today, do they not remain to comfort the weary pilgrim weeping over his own shortcomings?

In the eighth chapter of Romans Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” In other words, the one who is fired with a determination to gain a spiritual consciousness, can never be condemned for any of the footsteps that may be necessary to gain that goal. Mrs. Eddy’s underlying purpose was to eliminate the fleshly sense and gain a spiritual sense. The fact that she arrived at this destination, proves that her intervening footsteps were ordered by the Lord and hence, cannot be condemned. No matter what may be brought up, in regard to our Leader’s life experience, in an effort to overthrow Christian Science by discrediting its Discoverer, the fact remains that she grappled with the claim of animal magnetism in the effort to destroy it, and the very points that one might criticise, were necessary parts of this sublime struggle.

The man who goes to battle cannot avoid wearing the scars of the wounds received. But they are honorable scars, which distinguish the seasoned veteran from the scarless one, who has never challenged Goliath in deadly combat. Any student who assumes the struggle with evil will have honorable wounds. If such a one yields, only to awaken to recognize the yoke and throw it off, that is a praiseworthy endeavor.

That one has crossed swords with the enemy of mankind and God, and has come forth a victor.

A wrong attitude toward Mrs. Eddy would be to accept everything she did as right, simply because she did it. A right attitude is to know, that whatever she did had a right motive back of it, and that if she went the way of mortal mind momentarily, only the part of her history should be retained which teaches a spiritual lesson. As she writes in Retrospection and Introspection, page 22, “The human history needs to be revised, and the material record expunged.”

No Christian warrior should ever be ashamed of honorable scars. Was the Master ashamed of the nail-prints? Did they not prove that, when the spiritual idea is sufficiently developed, it is above the reach of earth? Have we not that same proof in our Leader’s experience today? Did she not exemplify in her human struggles that, no matter what the human experience may be, it has no part in the real man? All sin is bound up in man’s yielding to the domination of animal magnetism, even though that yielding may be largely unconscious. Thus, the crux of man’s salvation is to be found in one’s learning how to arouse himself and overcome the tendency to sluggishness, with a mental activity that rises above the temptation to remain in a condition of mental drunkenness. The student must learn the necessity of stimulating himself mentally, by giving his thought a thorough beating, in order to elevate himself to that state of mental alertness, which makes of him a moving target that error cannot hit.

From human hypnotism, we learn this interesting lesson that, when the operator desires to gain control of his subject, he begins by making him feel drowsy, usually by persuading him to focus his eyes on some bright object. Then, when the subject’s mind through this process becomes sufficiently sluggish, the mesmerist can substitute his thinking for that of his victim’s, an interference which is not possible to induce in an active thought.

Mortal existence is a dream. A dream means sleep, or inactivity of thought. Conversely, spiritually active thinking is the death of any dream sense, and hence, must characterize the state of man’s mind in heaven. For this reason, Mrs. Eddy knew that mental activity, and whatever induces such activity, were vital to man’s salvation. Her persistent call for mental activity, at every point and in every direction, therefore, was her effort to stimulate and perpetuate in her students the habit of active right thinking.

This discussion explains why Mrs. Eddy was so insistent upon mental alertness. Such activity of thought, free from any erroneous influence, is necessary in order that one may recognize in her mental history the finger of God moving on the waters of mortal mind. In order to grasp its significance, one must be mentally and spiritually awake, endeavoring to resurrect within himself a consciousness of God’s image which has been beclouded in mortal man’s idea of himself.

An active spiritual sense is necessary to enable one to behold the signposts hidden in the material history of the Bible, that mark the way to the spiritual man. This same spiritual alertness, developed into understanding, is needed to enable one to perceive the importance of every one of Mrs. Eddy’s footsteps, taken to reach the high goal, even though such steps be censured by materialistic thought, and to understand how the fire of affliction welded the links in that spiritual chain which bound her more and more absolutely to God.

There is a fairy story to the effect that a certain man was given a cloak that would make him invisible to his enemies. Every time they came near, he put on this cloak and thus outwitted them. Finally, they plotted to approach him in the guise of friendship, so he would not recognize them. Feeling no fear in their company, he did not put on his cloak, and thus was robbed of it, and then captured.

Failing through directly aggressive methods to deprive man of his spiritually-protective thought, animal magnetism resorts to subtle ways, putting him off guard by giving him purified human thinking.

One might imagine a situation that would involve the effort of a thief to steal a valuable paper. Being aware of the thief’s purpose, the owner secretes the paper in his pocket. However, through magic, the thief causes the wind to blow, just at a time when the owner is holding the paper in his hand. In this way, it is whisked away and lost.

When once it is understood, it becomes plain that mental inactivity disturbed Mrs. Eddy more than anything else, because she knew that it was error’s sly way of putting man off his guard. She could feel that wind starting to blow which, if not detected, might sweep the spiritual good right out of the thoughts of her students. She knew that, under discord and malice, under sickness and opposition, they would begin to function spiritually; they would stand up and shake off lethargy, they would fight as they knew how to fight, and win! They had been trained from their earliest days in Christian Science for such work. Thought had not been awakened to perceive the lethargic and devastating effects of human confidence and satisfaction; a confidence and satisfaction induced by animal magnetism, and not based on demonstration; a confidence and satisfaction similar to that experienced by a man who, because he has lived peacefully for ten years on the side of a volcano, relaxes in an assurance that he is safe, and that nothing is going to happen to endanger his security.

So it can readily be understood that, without that spiritual perception which causes Mrs. Eddy’s life to stand out in all its spiritual consistency, the way of heaven will always remain an enigma to the would-be pilgrim. It is one of the great works of the student of Christian Science to develop the ability to analyze all the steps of Mrs. Eddy’s life, and understand that they disclose the path which mortals must tread in reaching the goal she reached, where the voice of God became to her as clear as the voice of man. This same voice which called Mary three times when she was a young girl, is the only infallible guide that could have brought the great Cause of Christian Science into being, established it, and enabled it to function with power and spirituality. It must be heard by those who are today attempting to guide the steps of our Movement to a higher and higher attainment in the metaphysics of living and service.

The spiritual significance of the fact that this voice called to Mrs. Eddy when she was a girl, lies in its being the first proof, or evidence, that revealed that she possessed a spiritual sense, through which she could hear the voice of God and be divinely guided. It was through the further development of this spiritual sense, that the revelation of Christian Science was brought to the world. Today, the successful perpetuation of our Cause hinges on the recognition by individual students that this same spiritual sense lies dormant in each one, and that they must develop it as our Leader did, in order that the voice of God may still be heard and obeyed.

According to the Bible, Jesus’ footsteps provoked the greatest criticism from those who did not understand him. In fact, the honest conviction was voiced that his death would mean the greatest blessing to their religious faith. Hence, today, we should not expect that Mrs. Eddy’s life could be understood by those who are ready to criticise her, exactly as the Master was criticised of old, because, not perceiving the driving force necessary to lift her to a higher and more practical faith in God, they judge her from a purely human standpoint.

The Scientifically Poised Student Is Safe

As I have mentioned in a previous chapter, many have wondered why Mrs. Eddy attributed the death of Mr. Eddy to animal magnetism. The first uncovering of animal magnetism in her thought showed her that, when one enters the service of God, he gains enough Truth to protect himself from the belief of death. Hence, if one passes on at that point, that death does not result from a natural claim.

If a man swims out beyond his depth and his strength fails, he will drown if nobody rescues him. That would be called a natural occurrence. If, on the other hand, that man should wear a properly inflated life preserver, he would not drown, no matter how tired he might become. Drowning under such circumstances proves that someone has punctured the rubber with a pin, so that the air gradually escapes.

When a man gains enough of the spirit of God to enter the service of God, he has a spiritual understanding that, fully demonstrated, would overcome death. At that point, his task is to maintain this spiritual understanding since, in so doing, he is protected from the claim of death. The error that would attempt to rob him of his spiritual understanding, because it knows that his life is dependent upon it, is called induced death, or mental murder.

In recording the nature of evil for posterity, Mrs. Eddy showed that no matter how deadly its effect might appear to be, if it is handled as cause, it dissolves into something simple to handle. Yet, before she was able to trace back to cause, she reported much data about effect, that seem dreadful to the readers of today. Each unfoldment, however, has its rightful place. If anything were left out, it might be the very thing that somebody needed, the very rung of the ladder which, if omitted, would effectually arrest the upward progress of some weary pilgrim. Mrs. Eddy was faithful in recording everything, although we may venture to say that, at times, it hurt her to have to chronicle certain experiences which she had outgrown.

There were many steps for her to take, before she reached the goal of seeing the nothingness of animal magnetism, which applies to all who follow in her footsteps. The Master said that he beheld Satan “as lightning fall from heaven.” This is the experience of many a student, when he catches his first glimpse of the claim of animal magnetism, and it is often a frightening experience. Yet it is soon outgrown; and no student would dream of retaining this initial attitude toward the claim of evil, any more than did our Leader.

Asa Eddy died as the result of induced animal magnetism. But it was not animal magnetism overpowering a scientifically-poised student, for that is something that animal magnetism can never do. There must be a falling away first. The student who ofttimes examines himself, as Mrs. Eddy writes on page 129 of Miscellany, to “see if there be found anywhere a deterrent of Truth and Love,” will always be enabled to detect the pin that might, if not discovered, puncture his life preserver.

Table of Contents

Page 7

       THE EXTENSION OF THE MOTHER CHURCH
       OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST: ITS INCEPTION,
       CONSTRUCTION, AND DEDICATION

       MRS. EDDY’S MESSAGE TO THE MOTHER CHURCH, JUNE 15, 1902

3     [Extract]

       HERE allow me to interpolate some matters of busi-
       ness that ordinarily find no place in my Message.
6     It is a privilege to acquaint communicants with the
       financial transactions of this church, so far as I know
       them, and especially before making another united effort
9     to purchase more land and enlarge our church edifice so
       as to seat the large number who annually favor us with
       their presence on Communion Sunday.

       THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MOTHER CHURCH,
       JUNE 18, 1902 — TWO MILLION DOLLARS PLEDGED

       Edward A. Kimball, C.S.D., offered the following
15    motion: —

       “Recognizing the necessity for providing an auditorium
       for The Mother Church that will seat four or five thou-
18    sand persons, and acting in behalf of ourselves and the
       Christian Scientists of the world, we agree to contribute

Page 8

1     any portion of two million dollars that may be necessary
       for this purpose.”

3     In support of the motion, Mr. Kimball said in part:

       “Our denomination is palpably outgrowing the institu-
       tional end thereof. We need to keep pace with our own
6     growth and progress. The necessity here indicated is be-
       yond cavil; beyond resistance in your thought.”

       Judge William G. Ewing, in seconding the motion, said: —
9     “As we have the best church in the world, and as we
       have the best expression of the religion of Jesus Christ,
       let us have the best material symbol of both of these, and
12    in the best city in the world.

       “Now I am sure that I have but expressed the universal
       voice of Christian Scientists, that there should be some-
15    thing done, and done immediately, to make reasonable
       accommodation for the regular business of the Christian
       Science church, and I believe really, with my faint
18    knowledge of arithmetic and the relationship of figures,
       that a church of twenty-four thousand members should
       have a seating capacity of more than nine hundred, if
21    they are all to get in.”

       The motion was carried unanimously.

       Greeting from the Church to Mrs. Eddy

24    “Ten thousand Christian Scientists from throughout
       the world, convened in annual business meeting in
       Boston, send our greeting to you, whom we recognize
27    as logically the natural and indispensable Leader of our
       religious denomination and its activity.

       “Since the last report, in 1900, one hundred and five
30    new churches or congregations have been added, and

Page 9

1     those previously established have had large accessions
       to their membership. In recognition of the necessity for
3     providing an audience-room in The Mother Church which
       will seat four or five thousand persons, we have agreed to
       contribute any portion of two million dollars that may
6     be needed for that purpose.

       “The instinctive gratitude which not only impels the
       Christian to turn in loving thankfulness to his heavenly
9     Father, but induces him to glory in every good deed and
       thought on the part of every man — this would be scant
       indeed if it did not continually move us to utter our grati-
12    tude to you and declare the depth of our affection and
       esteem.

       “To you, who are standing in the forefront of the effort
15    for righteous reform, we modestly renew the hope and
       desire that we may worthily follow with you in the way
       of salvation through Christ.”

       OUR LEADER’S THANKS

       To the Members of The Mother Church: — I am bankrupt
       in thanks to you, my beloved brethren, who at our last
21    annual meeting pledged yourselves with startling grace
       to contribute any part of two millions of dollars towards
       the purchase of more land for its site, and to enlarge
24    our church edifice in Boston. I never before felt poor
       in thanks, but I do now, and will draw on God for
       the amount I owe you, till I am satisfied with what my
27    heart gives to balance accounts.

       MARY BAKER EDDY

       PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H.,
       July 21, 1902

Page 10

1     Christian Science Sentinel, May 16, 1903

       It is inevitable that the transforming influence of
3     Christian Science should improve the thought, enlarge the
       favorable expectation, and augment the achievements of
       its followers. It was inevitable that this mighty impulse
6     for good should have externalized itself, ten years ago,
       in an edifice for The Mother Church. It is inevitable
       that this same impulsion should now manifest itself in a
9     beautiful, ample building, embodying the best of design,
       material, and situation.

       Some money has been paid in towards the fund, and
12    some of the churches and other organizations have taken
       steps in this direction, but the time is at hand, now, for
       this entire donation to be specifically subscribed as to
15    amount and date of payment. No appeal has ever been
       made in this behalf, and it is probable that none will be
       made or ever be needed. It is doubtful if the Cause of
18    Christian Science could prosper, in any particular, on the
       basis of fretful or reluctant sacrifice on the part of its
       people. Christian Scientists are not expected to contrib-
21    ute money against their will or as the result of impor-
       tunity or entreaty on the part of some one else.

       They will provide the money necessary to this end,
24    because they recognize the importance of The Mother
       Church to the Cause. They realize that there must be
       a prosperous parent church, in order to insure the pros-
27    perity of the branch churches; indeed, they know that
       it is the prosperous growth of this movement which
       now necessitates this onward step. They know that
30    their own individual welfare is closely interwoven with
       the general welfare of the Cause.

Page 11

1     Notwithstanding the fact that as Christian Scientists
       we are as yet but imperfect followers of the perfect Christ,
3     and although we may falter or stumble or loiter by the
       way, we know that the Leader of this movement, Mrs.
       Eddy, has been constantly at her post during all the
6     storms that have surged against her for a generation.
       She has been the one of all the world who has encountered
       the full force of antagonism. We know, too, that during
9     these years she has not tried to guide us by means of
       forced marches, but has waited for us to grow into readi-
       ness for each step, and we know that in all this time she
12    has never urged upon us a step that did not result in our
       welfare.

       A year ago she quietly alluded to the need of our
15    Mother Church. She knew that we were ready; the re-
       sponse was instant, spontaneous. Later on she expressed
       much gratification because of prompt and liberal action,
18    and it needs no special insight to predict that she will be
       cheered and encouraged to know that, having seized upon
       this privilege and opportunity, we have also made good
21    the pledge.

       Editorial in Christian Science Sentinel, May 16, 1903

       Our readers have been informed of the purchase of the
24    land upon which the new building will be erected, and
       that this land has been paid for. The location is, there-
       fore, determined. The size of the building was decided
27    last June, but there still remained for definite decision
       the amount to be expended and the date for commen-
       cing building operations. The pledge of the annual
30    meeting was “any portion of two million dollars that

Page 12

1     may be necessary for this purpose,” and this of course
       carried the implication that work should be commenced
3     as soon as the money in hand justified the letting of
       contracts.

       The spontaneous and liberal donations which enabled
6     those having the work in charge to secure the large
       parcel of land adjoining The Mother Church, gives
       promise of the speedy accumulation of a sum sufficient
9     to justify the decision of these remaining problems.
       Each person interested must remember, however, that
       his individual desires, both as to the amount to be
12    expended and the date of commencing work, will be best
       evidenced by the liberality and promptness of his own
       contribution.

15    [Mrs. Eddy in Christian Science Sentinel, May 30, 1903]

       NOW AND THEN

       This was an emphatic rule of St. Paul: “Behold, now
18    is the accepted time.” A lost opportunity is the great-
       est of losses. Whittier mourned it as what “might
       have been.” We own no past, no future, we pos-
21    sess only now. If the reliable now is carelessly lost in
       speaking or in acting, it comes not back again. What-
       ever needs to be done which cannot be done now,
24    God prepares the way for doing; while that which can
       be done now, but is not, increases our indebtedness to
       God. Faith in divine Love supplies the ever-present
27    help and now, and gives the power to “act in the living
       present.”

       The dear children’s good deeds are gems in the settings
30    of manhood and womanhood. The good they desire to

Page 13

1     do, they insist upon doing now. They speculate neither
       on the past, present, nor future, but, taking no thought
3     for the morrow, act in God’s time.

       A book by Benjamin Wills Newton, called “Thoughts
       on the Apocalypse,” published in London, England, in
6     1853, was presented to me in 1903 by Mr. Marcus
       Holmes. This was the first that I had even heard of
       it. When scanning its interesting pages, my attention
9     was arrested by the following: “The church at Jerusalem,
       like a sun in the centre of its system, had other churches,
       like so many planets, revolving around it. It was
12    strictly a mother and a ruling church.” According to
       his description, the church of Jerusalem seems to pre-
       figure The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, in
15    Boston.

       I understand that the members of The Mother Church,
       out of loving hearts, pledged to this church in Boston
18    any part of two millions of money with which to build
       an ample temple dedicate to God, to Him “who forgiveth
       all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who
21    redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee
       with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth
       thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed
24    like the eagle’s,” — to build a temple the spiritual spire
       of which will reach the stars with divine overtures, holy
       harmony, reverberating through all cycles of systems and
27    spheres.

       Because Christian Scientists virtually pledged this
       munificent sum not only to my church but to Him who
30    returns it unto them after many days, their loving giving
       has been blessed. It has crystallized into a foundation
       for our temple, and it will continue to “prosper in the

Page 14

1     thing whereto [God, Spirit] sent it.” In the now they
       brought their tithes into His storehouse. Then, when
3     this bringing is consummated, God will pour them out a
       blessing above the song of angels, beyond the ken of
       mortals — a blessing that two millions of love currency
6     will bring to be discerned in the near future as a gleam
       of reality; not a madness and nothing, but a sanity
       and something from the individual, stupendous, Godlike
9     agency of man.

       Editorial in Christian Science Sentinel, January 2, 1904

       A few days ago we received a letter from a friend in
12    another city, saying that he had just been informed —
       and his informant claimed to have good authority for the
       statement — that the entire amount required to complete
15    The Mother Church building fund had been paid in;
       consequently further payments or subscriptions were not
       desired.

18    Our friend very promptly and emphatically pro-
       nounced the story a fabrication of the evil one, and he
       was entirely right in doing so. If the devil were really
21    an entity, endowed with genius and inspiration, he could
       not have invented a more subtle lie with which to en-
       snare a generous and loyal people.

24    As a matter of fact, the building fund is not complete,
       but it is in such a healthy state that building operations
       have been commenced, and they will be carried on without
27    interruption until the church is finished. The rapidity
       with which the work will be pushed forward necessitates
       large payments of money, and it is desirable that the con-
30    tributions to the building fund keep pace with the dis-
       bursements.

Page 15

1     [Christian Science Sentinel, March 5, 1904]

       AMENDMENT TO BY-LAW

3     Section 3 of Article XLI (XXXIV in revised edition) of
       the Church By-laws has been amended to read as follows: —
       THE MOTHER CHURCH BUILDING. — SECTION 3. The
6     edifice erected in 1894 for The First Church of Christ,
       Scientist, in Boston, Mass., shall neither be demolished
       nor removed from the site where it was built, without the
9     written consent of the Pastor Emeritus, Mary Baker
       Eddy.

       COMMUNION, 1904

12    My Beloved Brethren: — My heart goes out to you as
       ever in daily desire that the Giver of all good transform
       you into His own image and likeness. Already I have
15    said to you all that you are able to bear now, and thanking
       you for your gracious reception of it I close with Kate
       Hankey’s excellent hymn, —

18       I love to tell the story,
       Of unseen things above,
       Of Jesus and his glory,
21       Of Jesus and his love.
       I love to tell the story,
       Because I know ’tis true;
24       It satisfies my longings,
       As nothing else can do.

       I love to tell the story;
27       For those who know it best
       Seem hungering and thirsting
       To hear it like the rest.
30       And when, in scenes of glory,
       I sing the NEW, NEW SONG,
       ‘Twill be the OLD, OLD STORY
33       That I have loved so long.

Page 16

       EXTRACT FROM THE TREASURER’S REPORT, JUNE 14, 1904

       The report of Mr. Stephen A. Chase, treasurer of the
3     building fund of The Mother Church, made to the
       annual meeting, showed that a total of $425,893.66 had
       been received up to and including May 31, 1904, and that
6     there was a balance of $226,285.73 on hand on that date,
       after paying out the sum of $ 199,607.93, which included
       the purchase price of the land for the site of the new
9     building.

       THE CORNER-STONE LAID

       The corner-stone of the new auditorium for The Mother
12    Church in Boston was laid Saturday, July 16, 1904, at
       eight o’clock in the forenoon. In addition to the members
       of the Christian Science Board of Directors, who have
15    the work directly in charge, there were present on this
       occasion: Mr. Alfred Farlow, President of The Mother
       Church; Prof. Hermann S. Hering, First Reader; Mrs.
18    Ella E. Williams, Second Reader; Mr. Charles Brigham
       and Mr. E. Noyes Whitcomb, respectively the architect
       and the builder of the new edifice.

21    The order of the services, which were conducted by the
       First Reader, was as follows: —

       Scripture reading, Isaiah 28: 16, 17, —

24    “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in
       Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious
       corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall
27    not make haste.

       “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteous-
       ness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the

Page 17

1     refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding
       place.”

3     Also, 1 Peter 2: 1-6, —

       “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
       hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

6     “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word,
       that ye may grow thereby:

       “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

9     “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed
       indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

       “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
12    an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, accept-
       able to God by Jesus Christ.

       “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture,
15    Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:
       and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

       The reading of selections from “Science and Health
18    with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, —

       Page 241, lines 13-30
       ” 136, ” 1-5, 9-14
       ” 137, ” 16-5
       ” 583, ” 12-19
       ” 35, ” 20-25

24    This was followed by a few moments of silent prayer
       and the audible repetition of the Lord’s Prayer with its
       spiritual interpretation, as given in the Christian Science
27    textbook, after which the following extracts from Mrs.
       Eddy’s writings were read: —

       “Hitherto, I have observed that in proportion as this
30    church has smiled on His ‘little ones,’ He has blessed
       her. Throughout my entire connection with The Mother

Page 18

1     Church, I have seen, that in the ratio of her love for
       others, hath His love been bestowed upon her; water-
3     ing her waste places, and enlarging her borders.

       “One thing I have greatly desired, and again earnestly
       request, namely, that Christian Scientists, here and else-
6     where, pray daily for themselves; not verbally, nor on
       bended knee, but mentally, meekly, and importunately.
       When a hungry heart petitions the divine Father-Mother
9     God for bread, it is not given a stone, — but more grace,
       obedience, and love. If this heart, humble and trustful,
       faithfully asks divine Love to feed it with the bread of
12    heaven, health, holiness, it will be conformed to a fitness
       to receive the answer to its desire; then will flow into it
       the ‘river of His pleasure,’ the tributary of divine Love,
15    and great growth in Christian Science will follow, — even
       that joy which finds one’s own in another’s good.” (Mis-
       cellaneous Writings, p. 127.)

18    “Beloved brethren, the love of our loving Lord was
       never more manifest than in its stern condemnation of all
       error, wherever found. I counsel thee, rebuke and exhort
21    one another. Love all Christian churches for the gospel’s
       sake; and be exceedingly glad that the churches are united
       in purpose, if not in method, to close the war between
24    flesh and Spirit, and to fight the good fight till God’s will
       be witnessed and done on earth as in heaven.” (Christian
       Science versus Pantheism, p. 13.)

27    The corner-stone was then laid by the members of the
       Christian Science Board of Directors. It contained the
       following articles: The Holy Bible; “Science and Health
30    with Key to the Scriptures” and all other published
       writings of the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer

Page 19

1     and Founder of Christian Science; Christian Science
       Hymnal; “The Mother Church;” the current numbers of
3     The Christian Science Journal, Christian Science Sentinel,
       Der Herold der Christian Science, and the Christian Science
       Quarterly.

6     The ceremony concluded with the repetition of “the
       scientific statement of being,” from Science and Health
       (p. 468), and the benediction, 2 Corinthians 13:14:
9     “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
       God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you
       all. Amen.”

       UNSELFISH LOYALTY

       To one of the many branch churches which contributed
       their local church building funds to The Mother Church
15    building fund, Mrs. Eddy wrote as follows: —

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST,
       Colorado Springs, Col.

18    Beloved Brethren: — It is conceded that our shadows
       follow us in the sunlight wherever we go; but I ask for
       more, even this: That this dear church shall be pursued
21    by her substance, the immortal fruition of her unselfed
       love, and that her charity, which “seeketh not her
       own” but another’s good, shall reap richly the reward of
24    goodness.

       Those words of our holy Way-shower, vibrant through
       time and eternity with acknowledgment of exemplary
27    giving, no doubt fill the memory and swell the hearts of
       the members of The Mother Church, because of that gift
       which you so sacredly bestowed towards its church build-
30    ing fund. These are applicable words: “Verily I say
       unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached

Page 20

1     throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done
       shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” (Mark 14: 9.)

3        Gratefully yours in Christ,

       MARY BAKER EDDY

       PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H.,
6        September 1, 1904

       HOLIDAY GIFTS

       Beloved Students: — The holidays are coming, and I
9     trow you are awaiting on behalf of your Leader the
       loving liberty of their license. May I relieve you of
       selecting, and name your gifts to her, in advance?
12    Send her only what God gives to His church. Bring
       all your tithes into His storehouse, and what you would
       expend for presents to her, please add to your givings
15    to The Mother Church building fund, and let this
       suffice for her rich portion in due season. Send no gifts
       to her the ensuing season, but the evidences of glorious
18    growth in Christian Science.

       MARY BAKER EDDY

       PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H.,
21       October 31, 1904

       A WORD FROM THE DIRECTORS, MAY, 1905

       In view of the fact that a general attendance of the
24    members of The Mother Church at the communion
       and annual meeting in Boston entails the expenditure
       of a large amount of money, and the further fact that
27    it is important that the building fund of The Mother
       Church should be completed as early as possible, it has
       been decided to omit this year the usual large gathering
30    in Boston, and to ask the members to contribute to

Page 21

1     the building fund the amount which they would have
       expended in such an event.

3     We all know of the loving self-sacrifices which have been
       made by many of the branch churches in transferring to
       this fund the money which had been collected for the
6     purpose of building church homes of their own, and it will
       thus be seen that the course suggested will not only
       hasten the completion of The Mother Church, but will
9     also advance the erection of many branch churches.
       We therefore feel sure that all Christian Scientists will
       gladly forego a visit to Boston at this time, in order to
12    contribute more liberally to the building fund and thereby
       aid the progress of our Cause throughout the world.

       Christian Scientists have learned from experience that
15    divine Love more than compensates for every seeming
       trial and deprivation in our loyalty to Truth, and it is
       but right to expect that those who are willing to forego
18    their anticipated visit this year will receive a greater
       blessing — “good measure, pressed down, and shaken
       together, and running over.” The local members, who
21    have always experienced much pleasure in welcoming
       their brethren from far and near, and who have antici-
       pated much joy in meeting very many of them this year,
24    will feel that they have been called upon to make no less
       sacrifice than have others; but we are confident that
       they too will be blessed, and that all will rejoice in the
27    glad reunion upon the completion of the new edifice in
       Boston.

       IRA O. KNAPP,     JOSEPH ARMSTRONG,
30    WILLIAM B. JOHNSON,     STEPHEN A. CHASE,
       ARCHIBALD McLELLAN,

       The Christian Science Board of Directors

Page 22

       THE ANNUAL MEETING, JUNE 13, 1905

       Extract from the Clerk’s Report

3     In the year 1902 our Leader saw the need of a larger
       edifice for the home of The Mother Church, one that
       would accommodate the constantly increasing attendance
6     at all the services, and the large gatherings at the annual
       meeting; and, at the annual meeting in June, 1902, a
       sum of money adequate to erect such a building was
9     pledged. Christian Scientists have contributed already
       for this grand and noble purpose, but let us not be uncon-
       sciously blind to the further needs of the building fund,
12    in order to complete this great work, nor wait to be urged
       or to be shown the absolute necessity of giving.

       Since 1866, almost forty years ago, — almost forty
15    years in the wilderness, — our beloved Leader and teacher,
       Mrs. Eddy, the Founder of Christian Science, has labored
       for the regeneration of mankind; and time has put its
18    seal of affirmation upon every purpose she has set in
       motion, and the justification of her labors is the fruit.
       In these years of work she has shown wisdom, faith, and
21    a spiritual discernment of the needs of the present and of
       the future that is nothing less than God-bestowed.

       In years to come the moral and the physical effects
24    produced by The Mother Church, and by the advanced
       position taken by our Pastor Emeritus and Leader, will
       appear in their proper perspective. Is it not therefore
27    the duty of all who have touched the healing hem of
       Christian Science, to get immediately into the proper
       perspective of the meaning of the erection of the new
30    edifice of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in
       Boston?

Page 23

1     It is not necessary for us to delay our contributions in
       order to find out how much our neighbor has given, or to
3     compute by the total membership of The Mother Church
       what amount each shall send the Treasurer. The divine
       Love that prompted the desire, and supplied the means to
6     consummate the erection of the present edifice in 1894, is
       still with us, and will bless us so long as we follow His
       commands.

       Extract from the Treasurer’s Report

       Building Fund: — Amount on hand June 1, 1905,
       $303,189.41; expenditures June 1, 1904 to May 31, 1905,
12    $388,663.15; total receipts June 19, 1902 to June l,
       1905, $891,460.49.

       Amount necessary to complete the sum of $2,000,000
15    pledged at the annual meeting, 1902, $1,108,539.51.

       Greeting to Mrs. Eddy from the Annual Meeting

       Beloved Teacher and Leader: — The members of your
18    church, The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ,
       Scientist, in Boston, Mass., in annual business meeting
       assembled, send their loyal and loving greetings to you,
21    the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and
       author of its textbook.

       We rejoice greatly that the walls of our new edifice are
24    rising, not only to faith but also to sight; that this temple,
       which represents the worship of Spirit, with its inseparable
       accompaniment, the Christ-healing, is being built in our
27    day; and that we have the privilege of participating
       in the work of its erection. As the stately structure
       grows, and stone is laid upon stone, those who pass by are

Page 24

1     impelled to ask, What means this edifice? and they learn
       that the truth which Christ Jesus revealed — the truth
3     which makes free — is to-day being proven and is ready
       to heal all who accept its divine ministry. We congratu-
       late you that the building is to express in its ample audi-
6     torium something of the vastness of the truth it represents,
       and also to symbolize your unmeasured love for humanity,
       which inspires you to welcome all mankind to the privi-
9     leges of this healing and saving gospel. As the walls are
       builded by the prayers and offerings of the thousands
       who have been healed through Christian Science, we know
12    that you rejoice in the unity of thought and purpose
       which is thus expressed, showing that The Mother Church
       “fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
15    Lord.”

       Editorial in Christian Science Sentinel, November 25, 1905

       We are prompted to state, for the benefit of those who
18    have inquired about the progress of the work on the
       extension to The Mother Church, that the erection of the
       building is proceeding rapidly; in fact, it is being pushed
21    with the utmost energy, and at the present time there
       are no less than fifteen different trades represented. The
       beauty of the building, and the substantial and enduring
24    character of its construction, have been remarked by the
       many visitors who have recently inspected the work, and
       they have gone away with the conviction that the structure
27    is worthy of our Cause and that it will meet the needs of
       The Mother Church as well as this can be done by a
       building with a seating capacity of five thousand.

30    It therefore occurs to us that there could be no more
       appropriate time for completing the building fund than

Page 25

1     the present Thanksgiving season; and it is suggested to our
       readers that there would be great propriety in making a
       special effort during the coming week to dispose fully and
       finally of this feature of the demonstration.

       [Christian Science Sentinel, March 17, 1906]

       GIFTS FROM THE CHILDREN

       The great interest exhibited by the children who attend
       the Sunday School of The Mother Church is shown by
9     their contributions to the building fund. The following
       figures are taken from the report of the secretary of the
       Sunday School and are most gratifying:

12    March 1, 1903 to February 29, 1904, $621.10; March 1,
       1904 to February 28, 1905, $845.96; March 1, 1905 to
       February 28, 1906, $1,112.13; total, $2,579.19.

       CARD

       Will one and all of my dear correspondents accept this,
       my answer to their fervid question: Owing to the time
18    consumed in travel, et cetera, I cannot be present in
       propria persona at our annual communion and the dedi-
       cation in June next of The Mother Church of Christ,
21    Scientist. But I shall be with my blessed church “in
       spirit and in truth.”
       I have faith in the givers and in the builders of this
24    church edifice, — admiration for and faith in the grandeur
       and sublimity of this superb superstructure, wherein all
       vanity of victory disappears and the glory of divinity
27    appears in all its promise.

       MARY BAKER EDDY

       PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H., 30    April 8, 1906

Page 26

1     [Christian Science Sentinel, April 14, 1906]

       ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DEDICATION

3     The Christian Science Board of Directors takes pleasure
       in announcing that the extension of The Mother Church
       will be dedicated on the date of the annual communion,
6     Sunday, June 10, 1906.

       [Christian Science Sentinel, April 28, 1906]

       TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

9     My Beloved Students: — Your generous check of five
       thousand dollars, April 23, 1906, is duly received. You
       can imagine my gratitude and emotion at the touch of
12    memory. Your beneficent gift is the largest sum of money
       that I have ever received from my church, and quite
       unexpected at this juncture, but not the less appreciated.
15    My Message for June 10 is ready for you. It is too
       short to be printed in book form, for I thought it better
       to be brief on this rare occasion. This communion and
18    dedication include enough of their own.

       The enclosed notice I submit to you, and trust that you
       will see, as I foresee, the need of it. Now is the time to
21    throttle the lie that students worship me or that I claim
       their homage. This historical dedication should date
       some special reform, and this notice is requisite to give
24    the true animus of our church and denomination.

       Lovingly yours,

       MARY BAKER EDDY

27    PLEASANT VIEW, Concord, N. H.,
       April 23, 1906

Page 27

       NOTICE

       To the Beloved Members of my Church, The Mother Church,
3     The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. — Divine
       Love bids me say: Assemble not at the residence of your
       Pastor Emeritus at or about the time of our annual
6     meeting and communion service, for the divine and not
       the human should engage our attention at this sacred
       season of prayer and praise.

9        MARY BAKER EDDY

       NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS TO THE BUILDING FUND

       The contributors to the building fund for the extension
12    of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ,
       Scientist, in Boston, Mass., are hereby notified that
       sufficient funds have been received for the completion of
15    the church building, and the friends are requested to send
       no more money to this fund.

       STEPHEN A. CHASE,

18       Treasurer of the Building Fund

       BOSTON, MASS., June 2, 1906

       Editorial in Christian Science Sentinel, June 9, 1906
21    Christian Scientists will read with much joy and
       thanksgiving the announcement made by Mr. Chase in
       this issue of the Sentinel that sufficient funds have been
24    received by him, as treasurer of the building fund, to
       pay all bills in connection with the extension of The
       Mother Church, and to most of them the fact that he

Page 28

1     has been able to make this announcement coincident
       with the completion of the building will be deeply
3     significant. Our Leader has said in Science and Health
       (p. 494), “Divine Love always has met and always
       will meet every human need,” and this has been proved
6     true in the experience of many who have contributed
       to the building fund.

       The treasurer’s books will show the dollars and cents
9     received by him, but they can give no more than a hint of
       the unselfish efforts, and in many instances the loving
       self-sacrifice, of those who have given so generously to the
12    building of this church. Suffice it to say, however, that
       the giving to this fund has stimulated those gentle
       qualities which mark the true Christian, and its influence
15    upon the lives of thousands has been of immense value to
       them.

       The significance of this building is not to be found in
18    the material structure, but in the lives of those who, under
       the consecrated leadership of Mrs. Eddy, and following
       her example, are doing the works which Jesus said should
21    mark the lives of his followers. It stands as the visible
       symbol of a religion which heals the sick and reforms
       the sinful as our Master healed and reformed them. It
24    proclaims to the world that Jesus’ gospel was for all time
       and for all men; that it is as effective to-day as it was
       when he preached the Word of God to the multitudes of
27    Judea and healed them of their diseases and their sins.
       It speaks for the successful labors of one divinely guided
       woman, who has brought to the world the spiritual under-
30    standing of the Scriptures, and whose ministry has revealed
       the one true Science and changed the whole aspect of
       medicine and theology.

Page 29

1     [Christian Science Sentinel, June 16, 1906. Reprinted from
       Boston Herald]

       COMMUNION SERVICE AND DEDICATION

       Five thousand people kneeling in silent communion;
       a stillness profound; and then, rising in unison from the
6     vast congregation, the words of the Lord’s Prayer! Such
       was the closing incident of the dedicatory services of the
       extension of The Mother Church, The First Church of
9     Christ, Scientist, at the corner of Falmouth and Norway
       Streets, yesterday morning. And such was the scene
       repeated six times during the day.

12    It was a sight which no one who saw it will ever be able
       to forget. Many more gorgeous church pageantries have
       been seen in this country and in an older civilization;
15    there have been church ceremonies that appealed more
       to the eye, but the impressiveness of this lay in its very
       simplicity; its grandeur sprang from the complete
18    unanimity of thought and of purpose. There was some-
       thing emanating from the thousands who worshipped
       under the dome of the great edifice whose formal open-
21    ing they had gathered to observe, that appealed to and
       fired the imagination. A comparatively new religion
       launching upon a new era, assuming an altogether differ-
24    ent status before the world!

       Even the sun smiled kindly upon the dedication of the
       extension of The Mother Church. With a cooling breeze
27    to temper the heat, the thousands who began to congregate
       about the church as early as half past five in the morning
       were able to wait patiently for the opening of the doors
30    without suffering the inconveniences of an oppressive day.
       From that time, until the close of the evening service,

Page 30

1     Falmouth and Norway Streets held large crowds of people,
       either coming from a service or awaiting admission to
3     one. As all the services were precisely the same in every
       respect, nobody attended more than one, so that there
       were well over thirty thousand people who witnessed
6     the opening. Not only did these include Scientists from
       all over the world, and nearly all the local Scientists,
       but many hundreds of other faiths, drawn to the church
9     from curiosity, and from sympathy, too.

       It spoke much for the devotion of the members to their
       faith, the character of the attendance. In those huge
12    congregations were business men come from far distant
       points at personal sacrifices of no mean order; profes-
       sional men, devoted women members, visitors from
15    Australia, from India, from England, from Germany,
       from Switzerland, from South Africa, from Hawaii, from
       the coast States.

18    They gave generously of their means in gratitude for the
       epoch-making event. The six collections were large, and
       when the plates were returned after having been through
21    the congregations, they were heaped high with bills, with
       silver, and with gold. Some of these contributions were
       one-hundred-dollar bills. Without ostentation and quite
24    voluntarily the Scientists gave a sum surpassing some of
       the record collections secured by evangelists for the work
       of Christianity.

27    Though the church was filled for the service at half
       past seven, and hundreds had to be turned away, by far
       the largest crowd of the day applied for admission at the
30    ten o’clock service, and it was representative of the entire
       body of the Christian Science church.

       Before half past seven the chimes of the new church

Page 31

1     began to play, first the “Communion Hymn,” succeeded
       by the following hymns throughout the day: “The
3     morning light is breaking;” “Shepherd, show me how
       to go;” “Just as I am, without one plea;” “I need
       Thee every hour;” “Blest Christmas morn;” “Abide
6     with me;” “Day by day the manna fell;” “Oh, the
       clanging bells of time;” “Still, still with Thee;” “O’er
       waiting harpstrings of the mind;” Doxology.

9     Promptly at half past six the numerous doors of the
       church were thrown open and the public had its first
       glimpse of the great structure, the cost of which approxi-
12    mates two millions of dollars, contributed from over the
       entire world. The first impression was of vastness, then
       of light and cheerfulness, and when the vanguard of the
15    thousands had been seated, expressions of surprise and of
       admiration were heard on every hand for the beauty and
       the grace of the architecture. The new home for worship
18    that was opened by the Scientists in Boston yesterday
       can take a place in the front rank of the world’s houses
       of worship, and it is no wonder that the first sight which
21    the visitors caught of its interior should have impressed
       them as one of the events of their lives.

       First Reader William D. McCrackan, accompanied by
24    the Second Reader, Mrs. Laura Carey Conant, and the
       soloist for the services, Mrs. Hunt, was on the Readers’
       platform. Stepping to the front of the platform, when
27    the congregation had taken their seats, the First Reader
       announced simply that they would sing Hymn 161,
       written by Mrs. Eddy, as the opening of the dedicatory
30    service. And what singing it was! As though trained
       carefully under one leader, the great body of Scientists
       joined in the song of praise.

Page 32

1     Spontaneous unanimity and repetition in unison were
       two of the most striking features of the services. When,
3     after five minutes of silent communion at the end of the
       service, the congregation began to repeat the Lord’s
       Prayer, they began all together, and their voices rose as
6     one in a heartfelt appeal to the creator.

       So good are the acoustic properties of the new structure
       that Mr. McCrackan and Mrs. Conant could be heard
9     perfectly in every part of it, and they did not have to lift
       their voices above the usual platform tone.

       Following the organ voluntary — Fantasie in E minor,
12    Merkel — the order of service was as follows: —

       Hymn 161, from the Hymnal. Words by the Rev.
       Mary Baker Eddy.(1)

15    Reading from the Scriptures: Deuteronomy 26: 1, 2,
       5-10 (first sentence).

       Silent prayer, followed by the audible repetition of the
18       Lord’s Prayer with its spiritual interpretation as given in
       the Christian Science textbook.

       Hymn 166, from the Hymnal.(2)

21    Reading of notices.

       Reading of Tenets of The Mother Church.

       Collection.

24    Solo, “Communion Hymn,” words by the Rev. Mary
       Baker Eddy, music by William Lyman Johnson.

       Reading of annual Message from the Pastor Emeritus,
27       the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.

       Reading the specially prepared Lesson-Sermon.

       After the reading of the Lesson-Sermon, silent com-
30       munion, which concluded with the audible repetition of
       the Lord’s Prayer.

       (1) Hymn 306, (2) Hymn 108, in Revised Hymnal

Page 33

1     Singing the Communion Doxology.

       Reading of a despatch from the members of the church
3        to Mrs. Eddy.

       Reading of “the scientific statement of being” (Sci-
       ence and Health, p. 468), and the correlative Scripture,
6        1 John 3: 1-3.

       The benediction.

       The subject of the special Lesson-Sermon was “Adam,
9     Where Art Thou?” the Golden Text: “Search me, O
       God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
       thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me,
12    and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139: 23,
       24.) The responsive reading was from Psalms 15: 1-5;
       24: 1-6, 9, 10.

15    1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall
       dwell in thy holy hill?

       2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteous-
18       ness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

       3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth
       evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his
12       neighbor.

       4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he
       honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to
24       his own hurt, and changeth not.

       5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor
       taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these
27       things shall never be moved.

       1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof;
       the world, and they that dwell therein.

30    2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established
       it upon the floods.

Page 34

1     3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who
       shall stand in his holy place?

3     4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who
       hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn
       deceitfully.

6     5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and
       righteousness from the God of his salvation.
       6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that
9        seek thy face, O Jacob.

       9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye
       everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
12    10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he
       is the King of glory.

       The Lesson-Sermon consisted of the following citations
15    from the Bible and “Science and Health with Key to the
       Scriptures” by the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, and was
       read by Mr. McCrackan and Mrs. Conant: —

18                I

       The Bible                Science and Health (1)
       Genesis 3: 9-11                   224: 22
21    Proverbs 8: 1, 4, 7            559: 8-10, 19
       Mark 2: 15-17        181: 21-25
       307: 31-8

24                          II

       Psalms 51: 1-3, 6, 10, 12,        308: 8, 16-28 This;
       13, 17                Jacob
       323: 19-24, 28-32
       When; The effects

       (1)The Science and Health references in this lesson are according
30    to the 1913 edition.

Page 35

1              III

       The Bible        Science and Health
3     Hebrews 11: 1, 3, 6            297: 20 Faith
       Proverbs 3: 5, 6             241: 23-27
       Job 28: 20, 23, 28            275: 25
6     1 Corinthians 14: 20      505: 21-28 Under-
       standing
       536: 8

9                    IV

       Psalms 86: 15, 16             345: 31
       Matthew 9: 2-8        337: 10
12                      525: 4
       494: 30-2 Our Master
       476: 32-4
15                      171: 4

       V

       Mark 12: 30, 31                   9: 17-21 Dost thou
18    John 21: 1 (first             53: 8-11
       clause), 14-17                   54:29- 1
       1 John 4: 21         560: 11-19, 22 The
21                    great; Abuse
       565: 18-22

       VI

24    John 21: 4-6, 9, 12, 13        34: 29-29
       Revelation 3: 20
       Revelation 7: 13,14,16,17

27    During the progress of each service, First Reader
       William D. McCrackan read to the congregation the

Page 36

1     dedicatory Message from their teacher and Leader, Mrs.
       Mary Baker Eddy.

3     The telegram from the church to Mrs. Eddy was read
       by Mr. Edward A. Kimball of Chicago, and the five
       thousand present rose as one to indicate their approval
6     of it.

       REV. MARY BAKER EDDY, Pastor Emeritus

       Beloved Teacher and Leader: — The members of your
9     church have assembled at this sacred time to commune
       with our infinite heavenly Father and again to consecrate
       all that we are or hope to be to a holy Christian service
12    that shall be acceptable unto God.

       Most of us are here because we have been delivered from
       beds of sickness or withheld from open graves or reclaimed
15    from vice or redeemed from obdurate sin. We have ex-
       changed the tears of sorrow for the joy of repentance and
       the peace of a more righteous living, and now with blessed
18    accord we are come, in humility, to pour out our gratitude
       to God and to bear witness to the abundance of salvation
       through His divine Christ.

21    At this altar, dedicated to the only true God, we who
       have been delivered from the depths increase the measure
       of our devotion to the daily life and purpose which are in
24    the image and likeness of God.

       By these stately walls; by this sheltering dome; by
       all the beauty of color and design, the Christian Scientists
27    of the world, in tender affection for the cause of human
       weal, have fulfilled a high resolve and set up this taber-
       nacle, which is to stand as an enduring monument, a sign
30    of your understanding and proof that our Supreme
       God, through His power and law, is the natural healer

Page 37

1     of all our diseases and hath ordained the way of salva-
       tion of all men from all evil. No vainglorious boast,
3     no pride of circumstances has place within the sacred
       confines of this sanctuary. Naught else than the gran-
       deur of humility and the incense of gratitude and com-
6     passionate love can acceptably ascend heavenward from
       this house of God.

       It is from the depths of tenderest gratitude, respect,
9     and affection that we declare again our high appreciation
       of all that you have done and continue to do for the ever-
       lasting advantage of this race. Through you has been
12    revealed the verity and rule of the Christianity of Christ
       which has ever healed the sick. By your fidelity and the
       constancy of your obedience during forty years you have
15    demonstrated this Science before the gaze of universal
       humanity. By reason of your spiritual achievement the
       Cause of Christian Science has been organized and main-
18    tained, its followers have been prospered, and the philos-
       ophy of the ages transformed. Recognizing the grand
       truth that God is the supreme cause of all the activities of
21    legitimate existence, we also recognize that He has made
       known through your spiritual perception the substance
       of Christian Science, and that this church owes itself and
24    its prosperity to the unbroken activity of your labors,
       which have been and will still be the pretext for our
       confident and favorable expectation.

27    We have read your annual Message to this church.
       We are deeply touched by its sweet entreaty, its ineffable
       loving-kindness, its wise counsel and admonition.

30    With sacred resolution do we pray that we may give
       heed and ponder and obey. We would be glad if our
       prayers, our rejoicing, and our love could recompense your

Page 38

1     long sacrifice and bestow upon you the balm of heavenly
       joy, but knowing that every perfect gift cometh from
3     above, and that in God is all consolation and comfort,
       we rest in this satisfying assurance, while we thank you
       and renew the story of our love for you and for all that
6     you are and all that you have done for us.

       WILLIAM B. JOHNSON, Clerk

       By means of a carefully trained corps of ushers, num-
9     bering two hundred, there was no confusion in finding
       seats, and when all seating space had been filled no more
       were admitted until the next service. The church was
12    filled for each service in about twenty minutes, and was
       emptied in twelve, in spite of the fact that many of
       the visitors showed a tendency to tarry to examine the
15    church.

       It was “children’s day” at noon, for the service at half
       past twelve was specially reserved for them. They filled
18    all the seats in the body of the church, and when it came
       to the singing, the little ones were not a whit behind their
       elders, their shrill trebles rising with the roll of the organ
21    in almost perfect time. In every respect their service was
       the same as all the others.

       There was no more impressive feature of the dedication
24    than the silent communion. Devout Scientists said after
       the service that they would ever carry with them the
       memory of it.

       THE ANNUAL MEETING, JUNE 12, 1906

       The annual meeting of The First Church of Christ,
       Scientist, in Boston, was held in the extension of The
30    Mother Church, Tuesday, June 12, at ten o’clock in the

Page 39

1     forenoon, and in order to accommodate those who could
       not gain admittance at that hour a second session was held
3     at two o’clock in the afternoon. The meeting was opened
       by the President, Rev. William P. McKenzie, who read
       from the Bible and Science and Health as follows: —

6            The Bible               Science and Health
       Isaiah 54: 1-5, 10-15,         571: 22
       17                574: 3-16, 27 The Revela–
9     Revelation 19: 1, 6-9                tor; The very
       577: 4

       Then followed a short silent prayer and the audible
12    repetition of the Lord’s Prayer, in which all joined. The
       following list of officers for the ensuing year was read by
       the Clerk: —

15    President, Willis F. Gross, C.S.B.; Treasurer, Stephen
       A. Chase, C.S.D.; Clerk, William B. Johnson, C.S.D.

       In introducing the new President, Mr. McKenzie said: —

18    When I introduce the incoming President, my modest
       task will be ended. You will allow me, however, the
       privilege of saying a few words of reminder and prophecy.
21    My thoughts revert to a former occasion, when it was my
       pleasant duty to preside at an annual meeting when our
       Pastor Emeritus, Mrs. Eddy, was present. We remember
24    her graciousness and dignity. We recall the harmonious
       tones of her gentle voice. Our hearts were thrilled by her
       compassion, and the memory lives with us. But even more
27    distinctly may we realize her presence with us to-day.
       Why? Because our own growth in love and unity enables
       us to comprehend better the strength and beauty of her
30    character.

Page 40

1     Moreover, this completed extension of The Mother
       Church is an evidence to us of her hospitable love. She
3     has desired for years to have her church able to give
       more adequate reception to those who hunger and thirst
       after practical righteousness; and we are sure that now
6     the branch churches of The Mother Church will also en-
       large their hospitality, so that these seekers everywhere
       may be satisfied. This will imply the subsidence of criti-
9     cism among workers. It may even imply that some who
       have been peacebreakers shall willingly enter into the
       blessedness of peacemakers. Nothing will be lost, how-
12    ever, by those who relinquish their cherished resentments,
       forsake animosity, and abandon their strongholds of
       rivalry. Through rivalries among leaders Christendom
15    became divided into warring sects; but the demand
       of this age is for peacemaking, so that Christianity
       may more widely reassert its pristine power to bring
18    health and a cure to pain-racked and sorrow-worn hu-
       manity. “The wisdom that is from above is first
       pure, then peaceable, . . . And the fruit of righteous-
21    ness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
       “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called
       the children of God.”

24    Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, has presented to the world the
       ideal of Christianity, because she is an exact metaphysi-
       cian. She has illustrated what the poet perceived when he
27    said, “All’s love, but all’s law.” She has obeyed the divine
       Principle, Love, without regrets and without resistance.
       Human sense often rebels against law, hence the proverb:
30    Dura lex, sed lex (Hard is the law, nevertheless it is
       the law). But by her own blameless and happy life,
       as well as by her teachings, our Leader has induced a

Page 41

1     multitude — how great no man can number — to be-
       come gladly obedient to law, so that they think rightly
3     or righteously.

       No one can change the law of Christian metaphysics,
       the law of right thinking, nor in any wise alter its
6     effects. It is a forever fact that the meek and lowly in
       heart are blessed and comforted by divine Love. If the
       proud are lonely and uncomforted, it is because they
9     have thoughts adverse to the law of love. Pride, arro-
       gance, and self-will are unmerciful, and so receive judg-
       ment without mercy; but the law of metaphysics says,
12    “Blessed are the merciful,” and will allow no one to
       escape that blessedness, howsoever far he may stray,
       whatsoever lawlessness of hatred he may practise and
15    suffer from.

       So we see that Christian Science makes no compromise
       with evil, sin, wrong, or imperfection, but maintains the
18    perfect standard of truth and righteousness and joy. It
       teaches us to rise from sentimental affection which ad-
       mires friends and hates enemies, into brotherly love which
21    is just and kind to all and unable to cherish any enmity.
       It brings into present and hourly application what Paul
       termed “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” and
24    shows man that his real estate is one of blessedness. Why
       should any one postpone his legitimate joy, and disregard
       his lawful inheritance, which is “incorruptible and unde-
27    filed”? Our Leader and teacher not only discovered
       Christian Science, but through long years of consecration
       has obeyed its every demand, for our sakes as well as
30    for her own; and we begin to understand how illim-
       itable is the Love which supports such selfless devotion,
       we begin to comprehend the “beauty of holiness,” and

Page 42

1     to be truly grateful to her who has depicted its form
       and comeliness. We have found it true that “she
3     openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is
       the law of kindness.”

       It is my pleasure to introduce to you a faithful follower
6     of this Leader as the President for the coming year, Willis
       F. Gross, C.S.B., one who has for many years “witnessed
       a good confession” in the practice of Christian Science.
9     You are no doubt already acquainted with him as one of
       the helpful contributors to our periodicals, so that any
       further words of mine are unnecessary.

12    Mr. Gross, on assuming office, said: —

       Beloved Friends: — Most unexpectedly to me came the
       call to serve you in this capacity, and I desire to improve
15    this opportunity to express my thanks for the honor con-
       ferred upon me. With a heart filled with gratitude for the
       countless blessings which have come into my life through
18    Christian Science, I shall endeavor to perform this service
       to the best of my ability.

       It affords me great pleasure to welcome you to our first
21    annual meeting held in the extension of The Mother
       Church. I shall not attempt to speak of the deep signifi-
       cance of this momentous occasion. I realize that only as
24    infinite good unfolds in each individual consciousness can
       we begin to comprehend, even in small degree, how great
       is the work that has been inaugurated by our beloved
27    Leader, how faithful is her allegiance to God, how untiring
       are her efforts, and how successful she is in the performance
       of her daily tasks.

30    “With a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm”
       were the children of Israel delivered from the bondage of

Page 43

1     the Egyptians, but this deliverance did not put them in
       possession of the promised land. An unknown wilder-
3     ness was before them, and that wilderness must be con-
       quered. The law was given that they might know what
       was required of them, that they might have a definite rule
6     of action whereby to order aright the affairs of daily life.
       Obedience to the demands of the law revealed the God
       of their fathers, and they learned to know Him. During
9     their sojourn in the wilderness they suffered defeats and
       met with disappointments, but they learned from experi-
       ence and finally became willingly obedient to the voice of
12    their leader. The crossing of the Jordan brought them
       into the promised land, and this experience was almost
       as marvellous as had been the passage of the Red Sea
15    forty years before. In obedience to the command of
       Joshua, twelve stones taken from the midst of the river
       were set up on the other side for a memorial. In future
18    generations when it was asked, “What mean ye by these
       stones?” it was told them: Israel came over this Jordan
       on dry ground.

21    Forty years ago the Science of Christian healing was
       revealed to our beloved Leader, the Rev. Mary Baker
       Eddy. A few years later she gave us our textbook,
24    “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” Obedi-
       ence to the teachings of this book has brought us to this
       hour. We have learned from experience, and to-day we
27    rejoice that we have found in Christian Science that
       which heals and saves.

       The world looks with wonder upon this grand achieve-
30    ment, — the completion and dedication of our magnificent
       temple, — and many are asking, “What mean ye by these
       stones?” The answer is, The way out of the wilderness

Page 44

1     of human beliefs has been revealed. Through the under-
       standing of God as an ever-present help, the sick are being
3     healed, the shackles of sin are being broken, heavy burdens
       are being laid down, tears are being wiped away, and
       Israel is going up to possess the promised land of eternal,
6     harmonious existence.

       Friends, our progress may be fast or it may be slow,
       but one thing is certain, it will be sure, if we are obe-
9     dient to the loving counsel of our ever faithful Leader.
       The Christ is here, has come to individual conscious-
       ness; and the faithful disciple rejoices in prophecy ful-
12    filled, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
       the world.”

       Telegram to Mrs. Eddy

15    Judge Septimus J. Hanna then advanced to the
       front of the platform, read the following despatch, and
       moved that it be forwarded at once to our Leader,
18    Mrs. Eddy. The motion was carried unanimously by a
       rising vote.

       The despatch was as follows: —

21    TO THE REV. MARY BAKER EDDY,
       Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.

       Beloved Teacher and Leader: — The members of The
24    Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist,
       in Boston, Mass., in annual meeting assembled, hereby
       convey to you their sincere greetings and their deep
27    love.

       They desire to express their continued loyalty to your
       teachings, their unshaken confidence in the unerring wis-
30    dom of your leadership, and their confident assurance

Page 45

1     that strict and intelligent recognition of and obedience to
       the comprehensive means by you provided for the further-
3     ance of our Cause, will result in its perpetuity as well
       as in the ultimate regeneration of its adherents and of
       mankind.

6     We are witnessing with joy and gratitude the significant
       events associated with this, one of the greatest and most
       important gatherings of Christian Scientists in the annals
9     of our history. Yet the upwards of thirty thousand who
       are physically present at the dedication represent only a
       small part of the entire body who are of us and with us
12    in the animus and spirit of our movement.

       The great temple is finished! That which you have long
       prophetically seen has been accomplished. The magnifi-
15    cent edifice stands a fitting monument of your obedience
       and fidelity to the divine Principle revealed to you in that
       momentous hour when purblind mortal sense declared you
18    to be in extremis. You followed unswervingly the guid-
       ance of Him who went before you by day in a pillar of
       cloud to lead you in the way, and by night in a pillar
21    of fire to give you light, and the results of such following
       have been marvellous beyond human ken. As clearly
       as in retrospect we see the earlier leading, we now discern
24    the fulfilment of the later prophecy, that “He took not
       away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by
       night,” for each advancing step has logically followed
27    the preceding one.

       The great temple is finished! This massive pile of New
       Hampshire granite and Bedford stone, rising to a height
30    of two hundred and twenty-four feet, one foot loftier than
       the Bunker Hill monument, stands a material type of
       Truth’s permanence. In solid foundation, in symmetrical

Page 46

1     arches, in generous hallways, in commodious foyer and
       broad stairways, in exquisite and expansive auditorium,
3     and in towering, overshadowing dome, the great structure
       stands, silently but eloquently beckoning us on towards
       a higher and more spiritual plane of living, for we know
6     that without this spiritual significance it were but a pass-
       ing dream.

       In the best sense it stands in prophetic verity of the
9     primary declaration of this church in its original organiza-
       tion; namely, “To organize a church designed to com-
       memorate the word and works of our Master, which should
12    reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element
       of healing.” (Church Manual, p. 17.) To rise to the
       demands of this early pronouncement is the work of true
15    Christian Scientists.

       To preach the gospel and heal the sick on the Christ-
       basis is the essential requirement of a reinstated Chris-
18    tianity. Only as we pledge ourselves anew to this demand,
       and then fulfil the pledge in righteous living, are we faith-
       ful, obedient, deserving disciples.

21    On this solemn occasion, and in the presence of this
       assembled host, we do hereby pledge ourselves to a deeper
       consecration, a more sincere and Christly love of God and
24    our brother, and a more implicit obedience to the sacred
       teachings of the Bible and our textbook, as well as to the
       all-inclusive instructions and admonitions of our Church
27    Manual in its spiritual import, that we may indeed reach
       “unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
       and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general
30    assembly and church of the firstborn.”

       WILLIAM B. JOHNSON, Clerk

       BOSTON, MASS., June 12, 1906

Page 47

1           Report of the Clerk

       Beloved Brethren of The First Church of Christ, Scientist,
3     in Boston, Mass.: — It seems meet at this time, when
       thousands of Christian Scientists have gathered here
       from all parts of the world, many of whom have not had
6     the means of knowing the steps by which this church has
       reached its present growth, to present in this report a few
       of the stages of its progress, as gleaned from the pages of
9     its history.

       After a work has been established, has grown to great
       magnitude, and people the world over have been touched
12    by its influence for good, it is with joy that those who have
       labored unceasingly for the work look back to the pictur-
       esque, interesting, and epoch-marking stages of its growth,
15    and recall memories of trials, progress, and victories that
       are precious each and all. To-day we look back over the
       years that have passed since the inception of this great
18    Cause, and we cannot help being touched by each land-
       mark of progress that showed a forward effort into the
       well-earned joy that is with us now. For a Cause that
21    has rooted itself in so many distant lands, and inspired so
       many of different races and tongues into the demonstration
       of the knowledge of God, the years that have passed since
24    Mrs. Eddy founded her first church seem but a short
       time. And this little church, God’s word in the wilder-
       ness of dogma and creed, opened an era of Christian
27    worship founded on the commands of Jesus: “Go ye
       into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
       creature. . . . And these signs shall follow them that
30    believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they
       shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up ser-

Page 48

1     pents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not
       hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they
3     shall recover.”

       Not until nineteen centuries had passed was there one
       ready to receive the inspiration, to restore to human con-
6     sciousness the stone that had been rejected, and which
       Mrs. Eddy made “the head of the corner” of The Church
       of Christ, Scientist.

9     With the reading of her textbook, “Science and
       Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mrs. Eddy insisted
       that her students make, every day, a prayerful study of
12    the Bible, and obtain the spiritual understanding of its
       promises. Upon this she founded the future growth of
       her church, and twenty-six years later the following
15    splendid appreciation of her efforts appeared in the
       Methodist Review from the pen of the late Frederick
       Lawrence Knowles:—

18    “Mrs. Eddy . . . in her insistence upon the constant
       daily reading of the Bible and her own writings, . . .
       has given to her disciples a means of spiritual development
21    which . . . will certainly build such truth as they do gain
       into the marrow of their characters. The scorn of the
       gross and sensual, and the subordination of merely material
24    to spiritual values, together with the discouragement of
       care and worry, are all forces that make for righteousness.
       And they are burned indelibly upon the mind of the
27    neophyte every day through its reading. The intellects
       of these people are not drugged by scandal, drowned in
       frivolity, or paralyzed by sentimental fiction. . . . They
30    feed the higher nature through the mind, and I am bound
       as an observer of them to say, in all fairness, that the
       result is already manifest in their faces, their conversation,

Page 49

1     and their bearing, both in public and private. What
       wonder that when these smiling people say, ‘Come thou
3     with us, and we will do thee good,’ the hitherto half-
       persuaded one is wholly drawn over, as by an irresistible
       attraction. The religious body which can direct, and con-
6     trol, in no arbitrary sense, but through sane counsel, the
       reading of its membership, stands a great chance of sweep-
       ing the world within a generation.”

9     The charter of this little church was obtained August
       23, 1879, and in the same month the members extended a
       unanimous invitation to Mrs. Eddy to become its pastor.
12    At a meeting of those who were interested in forming the
       church, Mrs. Eddy was appointed on the committee to
       formulate the rules and by-laws, also the tenets and church
15    covenant. The first business meeting of the church was
       held August 16, 1879, in Charlestown, Mass., for the pur-
       pose of electing officers. August 22 the Clerk, by instruc-
18    tions received at the previous meeting, sent an invitation
       to Mrs. Eddy to become pastor of the church. August 27
       the church held a meeting, with Mrs. Eddy in the chair.
21    An interesting record of this meeting reads: “The minutes
       of the previous meeting were read and approved. Then
       Mrs. Eddy proceeded to instruct those present as to their
24    duties in the Church of Christ, giving some useful hints as
       to the mode of conducting the church.”

       At a meeting held October 19, 1879, it was unanimously
27    voted that “Dr. and Mrs. Eddy merited the thanks of the
       society for their devoted labors in the cause of Truth,”
       and at the annual meeting, December 1 of the same year,
30    it was voted to instruct the Clerk to call Mrs. Eddy
       to the pastorate of the church, and at this meeting Mrs.
       Eddy accepted the call. The first meeting of this little

Page 50

1     church for deliberation before a Communion Sabbath
       was held at the home of the pastor, Mrs. Eddy, Jan-
3     uary 2, 1880.

       Most of those present had left their former church
       homes, in which they had labored faithfully and ardently,
6     and had united themselves into a little band of prayerful
       workers. As the Pilgrims felt the strangeness of their
       new home, the vast gloom of the mysterious forests, and
9     knew not the trials before them, so this little band of
       pioneers, guided by their dauntless Leader and teacher,
       starting out on their labors against the currents of dogma,
12    creed, sickness, and sin, must have felt a peculiar sense of
       isolation, for their records state, “The tone of this meeting
       for deliberation before Communion Sabbath was rather
15    sorrowful;” but as they turned steadfastly from the mor-
       tal side, and looked towards the spiritual, as the records
       further relate, “yet there was a feeling of trust in the
18    great Father, of Love prevailing over the apparently dis-
       couraging outlook of the Church of Christ.” The Com-
       munion Sunday, however, brought fresh courage to the
21    earnest band, and the records contain these simple but
       suggestive words, — “Sunday, January 4, 1880. The
       church celebrated her Communion Sabbath as a church,
24    and it was a very inspiring season to us all, and two new
       members were added to the church.” This was indeed
       the little church in the wilderness, and few knew of its
27    teachings, but those few saw the grandeur of its work
       and were willing to labor for the Cause.

       The record of May 23, 1880, more than twenty-six years
30    ago, states: “Our pastor, Mrs. Eddy, preached her fare-
       well sermon to the church. The business committee met
       after the services to call a general meeting of the church

Page 51

1     to devise means to pay our pastor, so as to keep her with
       us, as there is no one in the world who could take her place
3     in teaching us the Science of Life.” May 26 of the same
       year the following resolutions were passed: “That the
       members of the Church of Christ, and all others now in-
6     terested in said church, do most sincerely regret that our
       pastor, Mrs. Eddy, feels it her duty to tender her resigna-
       tion, and while we feel that she has not met with the
9     support that she should have reason to expect, we venture
       to hope she will remain with us. That it would be a
       serious blow to her Cause to have the public services
12    discontinued at a time when there is such an interest
       manifested on the part of the people, and we know of no
       one who is so able as she to lead us to the higher under-
15    standing of Christianity, whereby to heal the sick and
       reform the sinner. It was moved to instruct the Clerk to
       have our pastor remain with us for a few Sundays if not
18    permanently.”

       At a meeting of the church, December 15, 1880, an invi-
       tation was extended to Mrs. Eddy to accept the pastorate
21    for the ensuing year; but, as the records state, “she gave
       no definite answer, believing that it was for the interest
       of the Cause, and her duty, to go into new fields to
24    teach and preach.”

       An interesting record relative to this very early work of
       the church, and its appreciation of Mrs. Eddy’s tireless
27    labors, is that of July 20, 1881, which reads, “That we,
       the members of The Church of Christ, Scientist, tender to
       our beloved pastor, Mrs. Eddy, the heartfelt thanks and
30    gratitude shared by all who have attended the services, in
       appreciation of her earnest endeavors, her arduous labors,
       and successful instructions to heal the sick, and reform

Page 52

1     the sinner, by metaphysical truth or Christian Science, dur-
       ing the past year. Resolved: That while she had many
3     obstacles to overcome, many mental hardships to endure,
       she has borne them bravely, blessing them that curse her,
       loving them that despitefully use her, thereby giving in
6     her Christian example, as well as her instructions, the
       highest type of womanhood, or the love that heals. And
       while we sincerely acknowledge our indebtedness to her,
9     and to God, for these blessings, we, each and all, will make
       greater efforts more faithfully to sustain her in her work.
       Resolved: That while we realize the rapid growth, and
12    welcome the fact of the spreading world wide of this great
       truth, that Mind, Truth, Life, and Love, as taught and
       expressed by our pastor, does heal the sick, and, when
15    understood, does bring out the perfection of all things, we
       also realize we must use more energy and unselfish labor
       to establish these our Master’s commands and our pastor’s
18    teachings, namely, heal the sick, and preach the gospel,
       and love our neighbor as ourselves.”

       Eighteen years ago, the Rev. James Henry Wiggin, who
21    was not a Christian Scientist, wrote as follows: “What-
       ever is to be Mrs. Eddy’s future reputation, time will
       show. Little cares she, if only through her work Truth
24    may be glorified. More than once, in her earnestness, she
       has reached her bottom dollar, but the interest of the
       world to hear her word has always filled her coffers anew.
27    Within a few months she has made sacrifices from which
       most authors would have shrunk, to insure the moral
       rightness of her book.” This statement “Phare Pleigh”
30    [the nom de plume of the Rev. James Henry Wiggin]
       makes out of his own peculiar knowledge of the circum-
       stances. “Day after day flew by, and weeks lengthened

Page 53

1     into months; from every quarter came important mis-
       sives of inquiry and mercantile reproach; hundreds of
3     dollars were sunk into a bottomless sea of corrections;
       yet not until the authoress was satisfied that her duty
       was wholly done, would she allow printer and binder to
6     send forth her book to the world.” This book has now
       reached its four hundredth edition, each of one thousand
       copies.

9     On September 8, 1882, it was voted that the church
       hold its meetings of worship in the parlors of Mrs. Eddy’s
       home, 569 Columbus Avenue, Boston. The services were
12    held there until November, 1883, and then in the Haw-
       thorne Rooms, at No. 3 Park Street, the seating capacity
       of which place was about two hundred and twenty-
15    five. At a meeting October 22, 1883, the church voted
       to wait upon Mrs. Eddy, to ascertain if she would
       preach for the society for ten dollars a Sunday, which
18    invitation she accepted. After establishing itself as a
       church in the Hawthorne Rooms, the number of atten-
       dants steadily increased. The pulpit was supplied by
21    Mrs. Eddy, when she could give the time to preach,
       and by her students and by clergymen of different
       denominations, among whom was the Rev. A. J. Pea-
24    body, D.D., of Cambridge, Mass.

       The annual report of the business committee of the
       church, for the year ending December 7, 1885, contains
27    some very interesting statements, among which is this:
       “There was a steadily increasing interest in Christian
       Science among the people, even though the continuity
30    of thought must have been very much broken by having
       so many different ones address them on the subject.
       When our pastor preached for us it was found that the

Page 54

1     Hawthorne Rooms were inadequate for the occasion,
       hundreds going away who could not obtain entrance;
3     those present enduring the inconvenience that comes
       from crowding, for the sake of the eternal truth she
       taught them.” The Boston Traveler contained the fol-
6     lowing item: “The Church of Christ, Scientist, had their
       meeting Easter Sunday at Hawthorne Rooms, which
       were crowded one hour before the service commenced,
9     and half an hour before the arrival of the pastor, the
       Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the tide of men and women
       was turned from the door with the information, ‘No
12    more standing-room.’ “

       On February 8, 1885, communion was held at Odd
       Fellows Hall, and there were present about eight hundred
15    people. At this time the Hawthorne Rooms, which had
       been regarded as the church home, were outgrown. Dur-
       ing the summer vacation, different places were considered,
18    but no place suitable could be found that was available,
       and the Sunday services were postponed. There was an
       expectation that some place would be obtained, but the
21    desire for services was so great that the Hawthorne Rooms
       were again secured. A record of this period reads, “It
       should be here stated that from the first of September to
24    our opening, crowds had besieged the doors at the Haw-
       thorne Rooms, Sunday after Sunday.” On October 18,
       1885, the rooms were opened and a large congregation
27    was present. It was then concluded to engage Chickering
       Hall on Tremont Street. In the previous consideration
       of places for meeting it had been decided that this hall
30    was too large, as it seated four hundred and sixty-four.
       The first Sunday service held in Chickering Hall was on
       October 25, 1885. Mrs. Eddy preached at this service

Page 55

1     and the hall was crowded. This date is memorable as
       the one upon which the Sunday School was formed.

3     Meanwhile it was felt that the church needed a place of
       its own, and efforts were made to obtain by purchase some
       building, or church, in a suitable location. Several places
6     were considered, but were not satisfactory; yet the
       thought of obtaining a church edifice, although given up
       for a time, was not forgotten. In the mean time, not
9     only was the attendance rapidly growing in this church in
       Chickering Hall, but the Cause itself was spreading over
       the land. September 1, 1892, Mrs. Eddy gave the plot of
12    ground on which The Mother Church now stands. On
       the twenty-third day of September, 1892, twelve of the
       members of the church met, and, upon Mrs. Eddy’s
15    counsel, reorganized the church, and named it The First
       Church of Christ, Scientist. This effort of Mrs. Eddy
       was an inspiration to Christian Scientists, and plans were
18    made for a church home.

       In the mean time Sunday services were held in Chicker-
       ing Hall, and continued there until March, 1894, and
21    during the last year the hall was crowded to overflowing.
       In March, however, the church was obliged to seek other
       quarters, as Chickering Hall was to be remodelled. At this
24    time the church removed to Copley Hall on Clarendon
       Street, which had a seating capacity of six hundred and
       twenty-five, and in that place Sunday services were held
27    until The Mother Church edifice was ready for occupancy,
       December 30, 1894. During the months that the con-
       gregation worshipped in Copley Hall there was a steady
30    increase in attendance.

       Twelve years ago the twenty-first of last month, the
       corner-stone of The Mother Church edifice was laid, and

Page 56

1     at that time it was thought the seating capacity would be
       adequate for years to come. Attendance at the Sunday
3     service gradually increased, until every seat was filled and
       many stood in the aisles, and in consequence two services
       were held, morning and afternoon, the latter a repetition
6     of the morning service. The date of the inauguration of
       two Sunday services was April 26, 1896. It was soon
       evident that even this provision was inadequate to meet
9     the need, and it was found necessary to organize branch
       churches in such suburbs of Boston as would relieve
       the overcrowded condition of The Mother Church; there-
12    fore three branch churches were organized, one in each of
       the following named places: Cambridge, Chelsea, and
       Roxbury.

15    For a while it seemed that there would be ample room
       for growth of attendance in The Mother Church, but not-
       withstanding the relief that the organization of branch
18    churches had given, the number of attendants increased
       faster than ever. From the time that the three foregoing
       named churches were established, the membership and the
21    attendance at them and at The Mother Church steadily
       grew, and more branch churches were established in other
       suburbs, members of which had formerly been attendants
24    at The Mother Church. In the spring of 1905 the over-
       crowded condition of the morning service showed that
       still further provision must be made, as many were obliged
27    to leave the church for the reason that there was not even
       standing-room. Therefore, beginning October 1, 1905,
       three services were held each Sunday, the second and
30    third being repetitions of the first service.

       This continued growth, this continued overcrowding,
       proved the need of a larger edifice. Our communion ser-

Page 57

1     vices and annual meetings were overcrowded in The
       Mother Church, they were overcrowded in Tremont
3     Temple, in Symphony Hall, and in the Mechanics Build-
       ing, and the need was felt of an auditorium that would
       be of great seating capacity, and one that would have the
6     sacred atmosphere of a church home.

       In Mrs. Eddy’s Message to the church in 1902 she sug-
       gested the need of a larger church edifice, and at the
9     annual meeting of the same year the church voted to
       raise any part of two millions of dollars for the purpose of
       building a suitable edifice. The labor of clearing the land
12    was begun in October, 1903, and the corner-stone was
       laid July 16, 1904.

       The first annual meeting of the church was held in
15    Chickering Hall, October 3, 1893, and the membership
       at that date was 1,545. The membership of this
       church to-day is 40,011. The number of candidates
18    admitted June 5 of this year is the largest in the his-
       tory of the church and numbers 4,889, which is 2,194
       more than the hitherto largest admission, that of June,
21    1903. The total number admitted during the last
       year is 6,181. The total number of branch churches
       advertised in The Christian Science Journal of this
24    June is 682, 614 of which show a membership of
       41,944. The number of societies advertised in the
       Journal is 267.

27    Shortly before the dedication of The Mother Church in
       1895, the Boston Evening Transcript said: “Wonders will
       never cease. Here is a church whose Treasurer has sent
30    out word that no sums except those already subscribed
       can be received. The Christian Scientists have a faith
       of the mustard-seed variety. What a pity some of our

Page 58

1     practical Christian folk have not a faith approximate to
       that of these impractical Christian Scientists.”

3     The fact that a notice was published in the Christian
       Science Sentinel of last Saturday that no more funds
       are needed to complete the extension of The Mother
6     Church, proves the truth of the axiom, “History re-
       peats itself.” These are the evidences of the magnifi-
       cent growth of this Cause, and are sufficient refutation
9     of the statements that have been made that “Christian
       Science is dying out.”

       The majesty and the dignity of this church edifice not
12    only shows the growth of this Cause, but proclaims the
       trust, the willingness of those who have contributed to
       the erection of these mighty walls.

15    This magnificent structure, this fitting testimonial in
       stone, speaks more than words can picture of the love and
       gratitude of a great multitude that has been healed and
18    purified through the labor and sacrifice of our revered
       Leader and teacher, Mary Baker Eddy, the one through
       whom God has revealed a demonstrable way of salvation.
21    May her example inspire us to follow her in preaching,
       “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” by healing the
       sick and reforming the sinful, and, as she has done, ver-
24    ifying Jesus’ words, “Lo, I am with you alway.”

       LETTERS AND EDITORIAL

       MRS. MARY BAKER EDDY,
27       Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.

       My Dear Teacher: — Of the many thousands who
       attended the dedicatory services at the Christian Science
30    church last Sunday it is doubtful if there was one so deeply

Page 59

1     impressed with the grandeur and magnitude of your work
       as was the writer, whom you will recall as a member of
3     your first class in Lynn, Mass., nearly forty years ago.
       When you told us that the truth you expounded was
       the little leaven that should leaven the whole lump, we
6     thought this might be true in some far distant day
       beyond our mortal vision. It was above conception
       that in less than forty years a new system of faith and
9     worship, as well as of healing, should number its adher-
       ents by the hundreds of thousands and its tenets be
       accepted wholly or in part by nearly every religious and
12    scientific body in the civilized world.

       Seated in the gallery of that magnificent temple, which
       has been reared by you, gazing across that sea of heads,
15    listening again to your words explaining the Scriptures,
       my mind was carried back to that first public meeting in
       the little hall on Market Street, Lynn, where you preached
18    to a handful of people that would scarce fill a couple of
       pews in this grand amphitheatre; and as I heard the sono-
       rous tones of the powerful organ and the mighty chorus of
21    five thousand voices, I thought of the little melodeon on
       which my wife played, and of my own feeble attempts
       to lead the singing.

24    In years gone by I have been asked, “Did Mrs. Eddy
       really write Science and Health? Some say she did not.”
       My answer has invariably been, “Send those who say
27    she did not to me. I heard her talk it before it was
       ever written. I read it in manuscript before it was ever
       printed.” Now my testimony is not needed. No human
30    being in this generation has accomplished such a work or
       been so thoroughly endorsed or so completely vindicated.
       It is marvellous beyond all imagining to one who knew of

Page 60

1     your early struggles. I have been solicited by many of
       your followers to say something about the early history
3     of Christian Science. I have replied that if Mrs. Eddy
       thought it wise to instruct them on the subject she would
       doubtless do so.

6     Possibly you may remember the words of my uncle, the
       good old deacon of the First Congregational Church of
       Lynn, when told that I had studied with you. “My boy,
9     you will be ruined for life; it is the work of the devil.”
       He only expressed the thought of all the Christian (?)
       people at that time. What a change in the Christian
12    world! “The stone which the builders rejected” has
       become the corner-stone of this wonderful temple of
       “wisdom, Truth, and Love.” (Science and Health, p.
15    495.) I have yet the little Bible which you gave me
       as a reward for the best paper on the spiritual sig-
       nificance of the first chapter of Genesis. It has this
18    inscription on the fly-leaf in your handwriting, “With
       all thy getting get understanding.”

       Respectfully and faithfully yours,
21        S. P. BANCROFT

       CAMBRIDGE, MASS., June 12, 1906

       MRS. MARY BAKER EDDY,
24    Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.

       Dear Leader and Guide: — Now that the great event,
       the dedication of our new church building, is over, may
27    I ask a little of your time to tell you of the interesting
       part I had to perform in this wonderful consummation.
       On the twenty-fifth of last March I was asked by one
30 of the Directors if I would care to do a little watching

Page 61

1     at the church. I gladly answered in the affirmative, and
       have been in the building part of every night since that
3     time. To watch the transformation has been very in-
       teresting indeed, and the lessons I have learned of the
       power of divine Mind to remove human obstructions
6     have been very precious. At first I thought that, since
       it seemed impossible for the building to be completed
       before the end of summer, the communion would likely
9     be postponed until that time. Then came the announce-
       ment that the services would be held in the new exten-
       sion on June 10. I saw at once that somebody had to
12    wake up. I fought hard with the evidence of mortal
       sense for a time; but after a while, in the night, as
       I was climbing over stones and planks and plaster,
15    I raised my eyes, and the conviction that the work
       would be accomplished came to me so clearly, I said
       aloud, “Why, there is no fear; this house will be ready
18    for the service, June 10.” I bowed my head before
       the might of divine Love, and never more did I have
       any doubt.

21    One feature about the work interested me. I noticed
       that as soon as the workmen began to admit that the work
       could be done, everything seemed to move as by magic;
24    the human mind was giving its consent. This taught me
       that I should be willing to let God work. I have often
       stood under the great dome, in the dark stillness of the
27    night, and thought, “What cannot God do?” (Science
       and Health, p. 135.)

       As I discovered the many intricate problems which must
30    necessarily present themselves in such an immense under-
       taking, I appreciated as never before the faithful, earnest
       work of our noble Board of Directors. With unflinching

Page 62

1     faith and unfailing fidelity they have stood at the breast-
       works in the battle, and won the reward, “Well done,
3     good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy
       of thy lord.”

       But what of this magnificent structure ? Whence did it
6     come? To me it is the result of the love that trembled
       in one human heart when it whispered: “Dear God, may
       I not take this precious truth and give it to my brothers
9     and sisters?” How can we ever thank God enough for
       such an one, — ever thank you enough for your unselfed
       love. May the glory which crowns the completion of this
12    structure shed its brightest beams on your pathway, and
       fill your heart with the joy of Love’s victory.

       Your sincere follower,

15        JAMES J. ROME

       BOSTON, MASS., June 30, 1906

       REV. MARY BAKER EDDY,
18       Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.

       Beloved Leader and Teacher: — We, the Directors of
       your church, send you loving greetings and congratulations
21    upon the completion of the magnificent extension of The
       Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, and we again express
       our thankful appreciation of your wise counsel, timely
21    instruction, and words of encouragement when they were
       so much needed.

       We acknowledge with many thanks the valuable services
27    rendered to this Board by the members of the business
       committee, who were ever ready to assist us in every way
       possible; also the services of other members of the church,
30    who gave freely of their time and efforts when there was
       urgent need of both.

Page 63

1     We do not forget that it was through you we were en-
       abled to secure the services of Mr. Whitcomb as builder
3     in the early days of the construction of the church, and of
       Mr. Beman in an advisory capacity in the later days; for
       this, and for their valuable services, we are grateful.

6        Lovingly and gratefully your students,

       THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
       By WILLIAM B. JOHNSON, Secretary

9       BOSTON, MASS., July 10, 1906

       [Editorial in Christian Science Sentinel, June 23, 1906]

       Our annual communion and the dedication of the exten-
12    sion of The Mother Church are over, and this happy and
       holy experience has become a part of our expanding con-
       sciousness of Truth, to abide with us and enable us better
15    to work out the purposes of divine Love. It was scarcely
       possible to repress a feeling of exultation as friend met
       friend at every turn with words of rejoicing; and even the
18    greetings and congratulations of those not of our faith
       seemed to say that all the world was in some degree sharing
       in our joy. But within our sacred edifice there came a
21    deeper feeling, a feeling of awe and of reverence beyond
       words, — a new sense of the magnitude of Christian
       Science, this revelation of divinity which has come to the
24    present age. Grandly does our temple symbolize this
       revelation, in its purity, stateliness, and vastness; but
       even more impressive than this was the presence of the
27    thousands who had come, as the Master predicted, “from
       the east, and from the west, and from the north, and
       from the south,” to tell by their presence that they had
30    been healed by Christ, Truth, and had found the kingdom
       of God.

Page 64

1     As one thought upon the significance of the occasion,
       the achievements of our beloved Leader and her relation
3     to the experiences of the hour took on a larger and truer
       meaning. The glories of the realm of infinite Mind,
       revealed to us through her spiritual attainments and her
6     years of toil, encompassed us, and hearts were thrilled
       with tender gratitude and love for all that she has done.
       If to-day we feel a pardonable pride in being known as
9     Christian Scientists, it is because our Leader has made the
       name an honored one before the world.

       In her dedicatory Message to The Mother Church,
12    Mrs. Eddy says, “The First Commandment of the Hebrew
       Decalogue, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me,’
       and the Golden Rule are the all-in-all of Christian Science.”
15    In all her writings, through all the years of her leadership,
       she has been teaching her followers both by precept and
       example how to obey this commandment and rule, and
18    her success in so doing is what constitutes the high stand-
       ing of Christian Science before the world. Fearlessly does
       she warn all her followers against the indulgence of the
21    sins which would prevent the realization of ideal manhood
       — the reign of the Christ — and now it is ours to address
       ourselves with renewed faith and love to the high and holy
24    task of overcoming all that is unlike God, and thus prove
       our worthiness to be “living stones” in the universal
       temple of Spirit, and worthy members of The Mother
27    Church before men.