Chapter 1 – “Choose Ye!”

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1     MESSAGE FROM MARY BAKER EDDY ON THE OCCASION OF THE
       DEDICATION OF THE EXTENSION OF THE
3     MOTHER CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, JUNE 10, 1906

       MY BELOVED BRETHREN: — The divine might of
       Truth demands well-doing in order to demon-
6     strate truth, and this not alone in accord with human
       desire but with spiritual power. St. John writes: “Blessed
       are they that do His commandments, that they may have
9     right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates
       into the city.” The sear leaves of faith without works,
       scattered abroad in Zion’s waste places, appeal to re-
12    formers, “Show me thy faith by thy works.”

       Christian Science is not a dweller apart in royal solitude;
       it is not a law of matter, nor a transcendentalism that
15    heals only the sick. This Science is a law of divine Mind,
       a persuasive animus, an unerring impetus, an ever-present
       help. Its presence is felt, for it acts and acts wisely,
18    always unfolding the highway of hope, faith, understand-
       ing. It is the higher criticism, the higher hope, and its
       effect on man is mainly this — that the good which has
21    come into his life, examination compels him to think
       genuine, whoever did it. A Christian Scientist verifies
       his calling. Choose ye!

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1     When, by losing his faith in matter and sin, one finds
       the spirit of Truth, then he practises the Golden Rule
3     spontaneously; and obedience to this rule spiritualizes
       man, for the world’s nolens volens cannot enthrall it.
       Lust, dishonesty, sin, disable the student; they preclude
6     the practice or efficient teaching of Christian Science, the
       truth of man’s being. The Scripture reads: “He that
       taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy
9     of me.” On this basis, how many are following the
       Way-shower? We follow Truth only as we follow truly,
       meekly, patiently, spiritually, blessing saint and sinner
12    with the leaven of divine Love which woman has put
       into Christendom and medicine.

       A genuine Christian Scientist loves Protestant and
15    Catholic, D.D. and M.D., — loves all who love God,
       good; and he loves his enemies. It will be found that,
       instead of opposing, such an individual subserves the
18    interests of both medical faculty and Christianity, and
       they thrive together, learning that Mind-power is good
       will towards men. Thus unfolding the true metal in
21    character, the iron in human nature rusts away; honesty
       and justice characterize the seeker and finder of Christian
       Science.

24    The pride of place or power is the prince of this world
       that hath nothing in Christ. Our great Master said:
       “Except ye . . . become as little children, ye shall not
27    enter into the kingdom of heaven,” — the reign of right-
       eousness, the glory of good, healing the sick and saving
       the sinner. The height of my hope must remain. Glory
30    be to Thee, Thou God most high and nigh.

       Whatever is not divinely natural and demonstrably
       true, in ethics, philosophy, or religion, is not of God but

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1     originates in the minds of mortals. It is the Adam-
       dream according to the Scriptural allegory, in which
3     man is supposed to start from dust and woman to be
       the outcome of man’s rib, — marriage synonymous with
       legalized lust, and the offspring of sense the murderers
6     of their brothers!

       Wholly apart from this mortal dream, this illusion and
       delusion of sense, Christian Science comes to reveal man
9     as God’s image, His idea, coexistent with Him — God
       giving all and man having all that God gives. Whence,
       then, came the creation of matter, sin, and death, mortal
12    pride and power, prestige or privilege? The First Com-
       mandment of the Hebrew Decalogue, “Thou shalt have
       no other gods before me,” and the Golden Rule are the
15    all-in-all of Christian Science. They are the spiritual
       idealism and realism which, when realized, constitute a
       Christian Scientist, heal the sick, reform the sinner, and
18    rob the grave of its victory. The spiritual understanding
       which demonstrates Christian Science, enables the devout
       Scientist to worship, not an unknown God, but Him whom,
21    understanding even in part, he continues to love more and
       to serve better.

       Beloved, I am not with you in propria persona at this
24    memorable dedication and communion season, but I am
       with you “in spirit and in truth,” lovingly thanking your
       generosity and fidelity, and saying virtually what the
27    prophet said: Continue to choose whom ye will serve.

       Forgetting the Golden Rule and indulging sin, men
       cannot serve God; they cannot demonstrate the omnipo-
30    tence of divine Mind that heals the sick and the sinner.
       Human will may mesmerize and mislead man; divine
       wisdom, never. Indulging deceit is like the defendant

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1     arguing for the plaintiff in favor of a decision which the
       defendant knows will be turned against himself.

3     We cannot serve two masters. Do we love God
       supremely? Are we honest, just, faithful? Are we true
       to ourselves? “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a
6     man soweth, that shall he also reap.” To abide in our
       unselfed better self is to be done forever with the sins
       of the flesh, the wrongs of human life, the tempter and
9     temptation, the smile and deceit of damnation. When
       we have overcome sin in all its forms, men may revile us
       and despitefully use us, and we shall rejoice, “for great
12    is [our] reward in heaven.”

       You have dexterously and wisely provided for The
       Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, a magnificent tem-
15    ple wherein to enter and pray. Greatly impressed and
       encouraged thereby, deeply do I thank you for this proof
       of your progress, unity, and love. The modest edifice
18    of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, began with
       the cross; its excelsior extension is the crown. The room
       of your Leader remains in the beginning of this edifice,
21    evidencing the praise of babes and the word which pro-
       ceedeth out of the mouth of God. Its crowning ulti-
       mate rises to a mental monument, a superstructure high
24    above the work of men’s hands, even the outcome of
       their hearts, giving to the material a spiritual significance
       — the speed, beauty, and achievements of goodness.
27    Methinks this church is the one edifice on earth which
       most prefigures self-abnegation, hope, faith; love catching
       a glimpse of glory.