Chapter 7 — Pleasant View and Concord, N. H.

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1     INVITATION TO CONCORD, JULY 4, 1897


       MY BELOVED CHURCH: — I invite you, one and all,
3     to Pleasant View, Concord, N. H., on July 5, at
       12.30 P.M., if you would enjoy so long a trip for so small
       a purpose as simply seeing Mother.

6        My precious Busy Bees, under twelve years of age,
       are requested to visit me at a later date, which I hope
       soon to name to them.

9                        With love, Mother,
       MARY BAKER EDDY

       PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H.,
12       June 30, 1897



       [New York Journal]


       VISIT TO CONCORD, 1901


15    Please say through the New York Journal, to the
       Christian Scientists of New York City and of the world
       at large, that I was happy to receive at Concord, N. H.,
18    the call of about three thousand believers of my faith,
       and that I was rejoiced at the appropriate beauty of
       time and place which greeted them.


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1     I am especially desirous that it should be understood
       that this was no festal occasion, no formal church cere-
3     monial, but simply my acquiescence in the request of my
       church members that they might see the Leader of Chris-
       tian Science.

6     The brevity of my remarks was due to a desire on my
       part that the important sentiments uttered in my annual
       Message to the church last Sunday should not be confused
9     with other issues, but should be emphasized in the minds
       of all present here in Concord.



       ADDRESS AT PLEASANT VIEW, JUNE, 1903


12    Beloved Brethren: — Welcome home! To your home
       in my heart! Welcome to Pleasant View, but not
       to varying views. I would present a gift to you
15    to-day, only that this gift is already yours. God hath
       given it to all mankind. It is His coin, His currency;
       it has His image and superscription. This gift is a
18    passage of Scripture; it is my sacred motto, and it
       reads thus: —

       “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell
21    in in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself
       also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine
       heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in
24    Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring
       forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment
       as the noonday.”

27    Beloved, some of you have come long distances to kneel
       with us in sacred silence in blest communion — unity of
       faith, understanding, prayer, and praise — and to return
30    in joy, bearing your sheaves with you. In parting I


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1     repeat to these dear members of my church: Trust in
       Truth, and have no other trusts.

3     To-day is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “And the
       ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion
       with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they
6     shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sigh-
       ing shall flee away.”



       VISIT TO CONCORD, 1904


9        Beloved Students: — The new Concord church is so
       nearly completed that I think you would enjoy seeing it.
       Therefore I hereby invite all my church communicants
12    who attend this communion, to come to Concord, and
       view this beautiful structure, at two o’clock in the after-
       noon, Monday, June 13, 1904.

15                             Lovingly yours,
       MARY BAKER EDDY

       PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H.,
18       June 11, 1904



       The Day in Concord


       While on her regular afternoon drive Mrs. Eddy re-
21    sponded graciously to the silent greetings of the people
       who were assembled on the lawn of the Unitarian church
       and of the high school. Her carriage came to a stand-
24    still on North State Street, and she was greeted in behalf
       of the church by the President, Mr. E. P. Bates, to
       whom she presented as a love-token for the church a
27    handsome rosewood casket beautifully bound with bur-
       nished brass.

       The casket contained a gavel for the use of the


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1     President of The Mother Church. The wood of the head
       of the gavel was taken from the old Yale College Athe-
3     naeum, the first chapel of the college. It was built in
       1761, and razed in 1893 to make room for Vanderbilt
       Hall. The wood in the handle was grown on the farm
6     of Mark Baker, father of the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy,
       at Bow, N. H.

       In presenting this gavel to President Bates, Mrs. Eddy
9     spoke as follows to the members of her church, The First
       Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.: —


       “My Beloved Brethren: — Permit me to present to you
12    a little gift that has no intrinsic value save that which it
       represents — namely, a material symbol of my spiritual
       call to this my beloved church of over thirty thousand
15    members; and this is that call: In the words of our great
       Master, ‘Go ye into all the world,’ ‘heal the sick,’ cast
       out evil, disease, and death; ‘Freely ye have received,
18    freely give.’ You will please accept my thanks for your
       kind, expert call on me.”


       In reply Mr. Bates said, —


21    “I accept this gift in behalf of the church, and for
       myself and my successors in office.”


       The box containing the gavel was opened the following
24    day in Boston at the annual meeting of The Mother
       Church of Christ, Scientist, and the enclosed note from
       Mrs. Eddy was read: —


27    “My Beloved Brethren: — You will please accept
       from me the accompanying gift as a simple token of
       love.”


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       CARD OF THANKS


       The following letter appeared in the Concord (N. H.)
3     newspapers after the visit of the Christian Scientists in
       1904: —


       Dear Mr. Editor: — Allow me through your paper to
6     thank the citizens of Concord for the generous hospi-
       tality extended yesterday to the members of my church,
       The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston.

9     After the Christian Science periodicals had given notice
       that no preparations would be made for a large gathering
       at this annual meeting of The Mother Church, I scarcely
12    supposed that a note, sent at the last moment, would bring
       thousands here yesterday; but as many gifts had come
       from Christian Scientists everywhere to help furnish and
15    beautify our new church building in Concord, it came to
       me: Why not invite those who attend the communion
       in Boston to take a peep at this church edifice on the day
18    when there are no formal exercises at the denominational
       headquarters? The number of visitors, about four thou-
       sand, exceeded my expectation, and my heart welcomed
21    each and all. It was a glad day for me — sweet to observe
       with what unanimity my fellow-citizens vied with each
       other to make the Christian Scientists’ short stay so
24    pleasant.

       Special thanks are due and are hereby tendered to his
       Honor, the Mayor, for arranging the details and allowing
27    the visitors to assemble on the green surrounding the high
       school; also to Mr. George D. Waldron, chairman of the
       prudential committee of the Unitarian church, and to his
30    colaborers on said committee and to the church itself,
       for their kindly foresight in granting permission, not only


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       to use the beautiful lawn surrounding their church build-
       ing, but also for throwing open their doors for the com-
3     fort and convenience of the Christian Scientists during
       the day. The wide-spreading elms and soft greensward
       proved an ideal meeting place. I greatly appreciate the
6     courtesy extended to my friends by the Wonolancet Club
       in again opening their spacious club-house to them on this
       occasion; and the courtesy of the efficient city marshal
9     and his staff of police extended to me throughout. And
       last but not least, I thank the distinguished editors in my
       home city for their reports of the happy occasion.



       TO FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH


       To the Rev. Franklin D. Ayer, D.D., Pastor Emeritus; the Rev.
       George H. Reed, Pastor of the First Congregational Church,
15    Concord, N. H., Edward A. Moulton, John C. Thorne, William P.
       Ballard, Henry K. Morrison, Deacons.


       Beloved Brethren: — I have the pleasure of thanking
18    you for your kind invitation to attend the one hun-
       dred and seventy-fifth anniversary of our time-honored
       First Congregational Church in Concord, N. H., where
21    my parents first offered me to Christ in infant baptism.
       For nearly forty years and until I had a church of my
       own, I was a member of the Congregational Church in
24    Tilton, N. H.

       To-day my soul can only sing and soar. An increas-
       ing sense of God’s love, omnipresence, and omnipotence
27    enfolds me. Each day I know Him nearer, love Him
       more, and humbly pray to serve Him better. Thus
       seeking and finding (though feebly), finally may we not
30    together rejoice in the church triumphant?


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1     I would love to be with you at this deeply interesting
       anniversary, but my little church in Boston, Mass., of
3     thirty-six thousand communicants, together with the
       organizations connected therewith, requires my constant
       attention and time, with the exception of a daily drive.
6     Please accept the enclosed check for five hundred
       dollars, to aid in repairing your church building.

       PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H.,
9        November 14, 1905



       GREETINGS


       Allow me to say to the good folk of Concord that the
12    growth and prosperity of our city cheer me. Its dear
       churches, reliable editors, intelligent medical faculty,
       up-to-date academies, humane institutions, provisions
15    for the army, and well-conducted jail and state prison, — if,
       indeed, such must remain with us a little longer, — speak
       for themselves. Our picturesque city, however, greatly
18    needs improved streets. May I ask in behalf of the public
       this favor of our city government; namely, to macadam-
       ize a portion of Warren Street and to macadamize North
21    State Street throughout?

       Sweeter than the balm of Gilead, richer than the
       diamonds of Golconda, dear as the friendship of those
24    we love, are justice, fraternity, and Christian charity.
       The song of my soul must remain so long as I remain.
       Let brotherly love continue.

27    I am sure that the counterfeit letters in circulation,
       purporting to have my signature, must fail to influence the
       minds of this dear people to conclusions the very opposite
30    of my real sentiments.


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       TO FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, WILMINGTON, N. C.


3     IN APPRECIATION OF A GIFT OF FIFTY DOLLARS IN GOLD TOWARDS
       THE CONCORD (N. H.) STREET FUND


       My Beloved Brethren: — Long ago you of the dear
6     South paved the way to my forever gratitude, and now
       illustrate the past by your present love. God grant
       that such great goodness, pointing the path to heaven
9     within you, hallow your Palmetto home with palms of
       victory and songs of glory.



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Love is the liberator.