Note

Page 20

1      The land whereon stands The First Church of Christ,

         Scientist, in Boston, was first purchased by the church

3      and society. Owing to a heavy loss, they were unable to

         pay the mortgage; therefore I paid it, and through trustees

         gave back the land to the church.

6      In 1892 I had to recover the land from the trustees, re-

         organize the church, and reobtain its charter — not, how-

         ever, through the State Commissioner, who refused to

9      grant it, but by means of a statute of the State, and through

         Directors regive the land to the church. In 1895 I recon-

         structed my original system of ministry and church gov-

12    ernment. Thus committed to the providence of God, the

         prosperity of this church is unsurpassed.

         From first to last The Mother Church seemed type and

15    shadow of the warfare between the flesh and Spirit, even

         that shadow whose substance is the divine Spirit, im-

         peratively propelling the greatest moral, physical, civil,

18    and religious reform ever known on earth. In the words

         of the prophet: “The shadow of a great rock in a weary

         land.”

21    This church was dedicated on January 6, anciently one

         of the many dates selected and observed in the East as the

         day of the birth and baptism of our master Metaphysician,

24    Jesus of Nazareth.

Page 21

1      Christian Scientists, their children and grandchildren

         to the latest generations, inevitably love one another with

3      that love wherewith Christ loveth us; a love unselfish,

         unambitious, impartial, universal, — that loves only be-

         cause it is Love. Moreover, they love their enemies, even

6      those that hate them. This we all must do to be Christian

         Scientists in spirit and in truth. I long, and live, to see

         this love demonstrated. I am seeking and praying for it

9      to inhabit my own heart and to be made manifest in my

         life. Who will unite with me in this pure purpose, and

         faithfully struggle till it be accomplished? Let this be our

12    Christian endeavor society, which Christ organizes and

         blesses.

         While we entertain due respect and fellowship for what

15    is good and doing good in all denominations of religion,

         and shun whatever would isolate us from a true sense of

         goodness in others, we cannot serve mammon.

18    Christian Scientists are really united to only that which

         is Christlike, but they are not indifferent to the welfare of

         any one. To perpetuate a cold distance between our de-

21    nomination and other sects, and close the door on church

         or individuals — however much this is done to us — is

         not Christian Science. Go not into the way of the un-

24    christly, but wheresoever you recognize a clear expression

         of God’s likeness, there abide in confidence and hope.

         Our unity with churches of other denominations must

27    rest on the spirit of Christ calling us together. It cannot

         come from any other source. Popularity, self-aggrandize-

         ment, aught that can darken in any degree our spirituality,

30    must be set aside. Only what feeds and fills the sentiment

Page 22

1      with unworldliness, can give peace and good will towards

         men.

3      All Christian churches have one bond of unity, one

         nucleus or point of convergence, one prayer, — the Lord’s

         Prayer. It is matter for rejoicing that we unite in love,

6      and in this sacred petition with every praying assembly

         on earth, — “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in

         earth, as it is in heaven.”

9      If the lives of Christian Scientists attest their fidelity

         to Truth, I predict that in the twentieth century every

         Christian church in our land, and a few in far-off lands,

12    will approximate the understanding of Christian Science

         sufficiently to heal the sick in his name. Christ will give

         to Christianity his new name, and Christendom will be

15    classified as Christian Scientists.

         When the doctrinal barriers between the churches are

         broken, and the bonds of peace are cemented by spiritual

18    understanding and Love, there will be unity of spirit, and

         the healing power of Christ will prevail. Then shall Zion

         have put on her most beautiful garments, and her waste

21    places budded and blossomed as the rose.