[Frontispiece of The Mother Church]

 

PULPIT AND PRESS

 

BY

MARY BAKER EDDY

 

DISCOVERER AND FOUNDER OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

AND AUTHOR OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH

KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES

 

BOSTON, U.S.A.

Published by Allison V. Stewart

FOR THE TRUSTEES UNDER THE WILL OF MARY BAKER G. EDDY

Falmouth and St. Paul Streets

1917

 

Authorized Literature of

The First Church of Christ, Scientist

in Boston, Massachusetts

 

Copyright 1895

By Mary Baker Eddy

 

All rights reserved

 

To

 

THE DEAR TWO THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED

CHILDREN

 

WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS OF $4,460 WERE DEVOTED

TO THE MOTHER'S ROOM IN THE FIRST CHURCH

OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, BOSTON, THIS UNIQUE

BOOK IS TENDERLY DEDICATED BY

 

MARY BAKER EDDY

 

PREFACE

 

THIS volume contains scintillations from press and

pulpit — utterances which epitomize the story of the

birth of Christian Science, in 1866, and its progress

during the ensuing thirty years. Three quarters of a

century hence, when the children of to-day are the elders

of the twentieth century, it will be interesting to have

not only a record of the inclination given their own

thoughts in the latter half of the nineteenth century,

but also a registry of the rise of the mercury in the glass

of the world's opinion.

     It will then be instructive to turn backward the tele-

scope of that advanced age, with its lenses of more

spiritual mentality, indicating the gain of intellectual

momentum, on the early footsteps of Christian Science

as planted in the pathway of this generation; to note

the impetus thereby given to Christianity; to con the

facts surrounding the cradle of this grand verity — that

the sick are healed and sinners saved, not by matter, but

by Mind; and to scan further the features of the vast

problem of eternal life, as expressed in the absolute

power of Truth and the actual bliss of man's existence

in Science.

 

MARY BAKER EDDY

February, 1895

 

CONTENTS

 

 

PAGE

Dedicatory Sermon . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Christian Science Textbook . . . . . . . .

12

Hymns

 

     Laying the Corner-stone . . . . . . . . . .

16

     "Feed My Sheep'' . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

     Christ My Refuge . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS

 

Chicago Inter-Ocean . . . . . . . . . . .

23

Boston Herald . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40

Boston Sunday Globe . . . . . . . . . . .

44

Boston Transcript . . . . . . . . . . . .

50

Jackson Patriot . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52

Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56

American Art Journal . . . . . . . . . .

57

Boston Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . .

61

Republic (Washington, D. C.) . . . . . . .

63

New York Tribune . . . . . . . . . . .

64

 

 

x CONTENTS

 

 

PAGE

Kansas City Journal . . . . . . . . . . .

65

Montreal Herald . . . . . . . . . . . .

67

Baltimore American . . . . . . . . . . .

68

Reporter (Lebanon, Ind.) . . . . . . . . .

70

New York Commercial Advertiser . . . . .

71

Syracuse Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71

New York Herald . . . . . . . . . . . .

74

Toronto Globe . . . . . . . . . . . . .

75

Concord Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . .

76

People and Patriot . . . . . . . . . . .

77

Union Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

79

New Century . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

81

Christian Science Journal . . . . . . . .

84

Concord Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . .

85

 

PULPIT AND PEESS

 

DEDICATORY SERMON

 

By Rev. Mary Baker Eddy

 

First Pastor of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.

Delivered January 6, 1895

_______

 

Text: They shall he abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy

house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.

— Psalms xxxvi. 8.

 

A NEW year is a nursling, a babe of time, a prophecy

and promise clad in white raiment, kissed — and

encumbered with greetings — redolent with grief and

gratitude.

     An old year is timers adult, and 1893 was a distinguished

character, notable for good and evil. Time past and time

present, both, may pain us, but time improved is elo-

quent in God's praise. For due refreshment garner the

memory of 1894; for if wiser by reason of its large lessons,

and records deeply engraven, great is the value thereof.

 

     Pass on, returnless year!

The path behind thee is with glory crowned;

This spot whereon thou troddest was holy ground;

     Pass proudly to thy bier!

 

     To-day, being with you in spirit, what need that I should

be present in propria persona? Were I present, methinks

 

1

 

2 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

I should be much like the Queen of Sheba, when she saw

the house Solomon had erected. In the expressive language

of Holy Writ, "There was no more spirit in her;'' and

she said, "Behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom

and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.'' Both

without and within, the spirit of beauty dominates The

Mother Church, from its mosaic flooring to the soft shim-

mer of its starlit dome.

     Nevertheless, there is a thought higher and deeper than

the edifice. Material light and shade are temporal, not

eternal. Turning the attention from sublunary views,

however enchanting, think for a moment with me of the

house wherewith "they shall be abundantly satisfied," —

even the "house not made with hands, eternal in the

heavens." With the mind's eye glance at the direful

scenes of the war between China and Japan. Imagine

yourselves in a poorly barricaded fort, fiercely besieged

by the enemy. Would you rush forth single-handed to

combat the foe? Nay, would you not rather strengthen

your citadel by every means in your power, and remain

within the walls for its defense? Likewise should we do

as metaphysicians and Christian Scientists. The real

house in which "we live, and move, and have our being"

is Spirit, God, the eternal harmony of infinite Soul. The

enemy we confront would overthrow this sublime fortress,

and it behooves us to defend our heritage.

     How can we do this Christianly scientific work? By

intrenching ourselves in the knowledge that our true

temple is no human fabrication, but the superstructure

of Truth, reared on the foundation of Love, and pinnacled

 

DEDICATORY SERMON 3

 

in Life. Such being its nature, how can our godly temple

possibly be demolished, or even disturbed? Can eternity

end? Can Life die? Can Truth be uncertain? Can

Love be less than boundless? Referring to this temple,

our Master said: "Destroy this temple, and in three days

I will raise it up." He also said: "The kingdom of God

is within you." Know, then, that you possess sovereign

power to think and act rightly, and that nothing can dis-

possess you of this heritage and trespass on Love. If you

maintain this position, who or what can cause you to sin

or suffer? Our surety is in our confidence that we are

indeed dwellers in Truth and Love, man's eternal mansion.

Such a heavenly assurance ends all warfare, and bids tu-

mult cease, for the good fight we have waged is over, and

divine Love gives us the true sense of victory. "They

shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house;

and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy

pleasures.'' No longer are we of the church militant, but

of the church triumphant; and with Job of old we ex-

claim, "Yet in my flesh shall I see God." The river of

His pleasures is a tributary of divine Love, whose living

waters have their source in God, and flow into everlasting

Life. We drink of this river when all human desires are

quenched, satisfied with what is pleasing to the divine

Mind.

     Perchance some one of you may say, "The evidence of

spiritual verity in me is so small that I am afraid. I feel

so far from victory over the flesh that to reach out for a

present realization of my hope savors of temerity. Be-

cause of my own unfitness for such a spiritual animus my

 

4 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

strength is naught and my faith fails." O thou "weak

and infirm of purpose." Jesus said, "Be not afraid"!

 

"What if the little rain should say,

     'So small a drop as I

Can never refresh a drooping earth,

     I'll tarry in the sky.'''

 

     Is not a man metaphysically and mathematically num-

ber one, a unit, and therefore whole number, governed

and protected by his divine Principle, God? You have

simply to preserve a scientific, positive sense of unity with

your divine source, and daily demonstrate this. Then you

will find that one is as important a factor as duodecillions

in being and doing right, and thus demonstrating deific

Principle. A dewdrop reflects the sun. Each of Christ's

little ones reflects the infinite One, and therefore is the

seer's declaration true, that "one on God's side is a

majority."

     A single drop of water may help to hide the stars, or

crown the tree with blossoms.

     Who lives in good, lives also in God, — lives in all Life,

through all space. His is an individual kingdom, his dia-

dem a crown of crowns. His existence is deathless, for-

ever unfolding its eternal Principle. Wait patiently on

illimitable Love, the lord and giver of Life. Reflect this

Life, and with it cometh the full power of being. "They

shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy

house."

     In 1893 the World's Parliament of Religions, held in

Chicago, used, in all its public sessions, my form of prayer

 

DEDICATORY SERMON 5

 

since 1866; and one of the very clergymen who had pub-

licly proclaimed me "the prayerless Mrs. Eddy," offered

his audible adoration in the words I use, besides listening

to an address on Christian Science from my pen, read by

Judge S. J. Hanna, in that unique assembly.

     When the light of one friendship after another passes

from earth to heaven, we kindle in place thereof the glow

of some deathless reality. Memory, faithful to goodness,

holds in her secret chambers those characters of holiest

sort, bravest to endure, firmest to suffer, soonest to re-

nounce. Such was the founder of the Concord School of

Philosophy — the late A. Bronson Alcott.

     After the publication of ''Science and Health with Key

to the Scriptures," his athletic mind, scholarly and serene,

was the first to bedew my hope with a drop of humanity.

When the press and pulpit cannonaded this book, he

introduced himself to its author by saying, "I have come

to comfort you." Then eloquently paraphrasing it, and

prophesying its prosperity, his conversation with a beauty

all its own reassured me. That prophecy is fulfilled.

     This book, in 1895, is in its ninety-first edition of one

thousand copies. It is in the public libraries of the prin-

cipal cities, colleges, and universities of America; also

the same in Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia,

Italy, Greece, Japan, India, and China; in the Oxford

University and the Victoria Institute, England; in the

Academy of Greece, and the Vatican at Rome.

     This book is the leaven fermenting religion; it is

palpably working in the sermons, Sunday Schools, and

literature of our and other lands. This spiritual chemi-

 

6 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

calization is the upheaval produced when Truth is neutral-

izing error and impurities are passing off. And it will

continue till the antithesis of Christianity, engendering the

limited forms of a national or tyrannical religion, yields to

the church established by the Nazarene Prophet and main-

tained on the spiritual foundation of Christ's healing.

     Good, the Anglo-Saxon term for God, unites Science to

Christianity. It presents to the understanding, not matter,

but Mind; not the deified drug, but the goodness of God —

healing and saving mankind.

     The author of "Marriage of the Lamb," who made the

mistake of thinking she caught her notions from my book,

wrote to me in 1894, "Six months ago your book, Science

and Health, was put into my hands. I had not read three

pages before I realized I had found that for which I had

hungered since girlhood, and was healed instantaneously

of an ailment of seven years' standing. I cast from me the

false remedy I had vainly used, and turned to the 'great

Physician.' I went with my husband, a missionary to

China, in 1884. He went out under the auspices of the

Methodist Episcopal Church. I feel the truth is leading

us to return to Japan."

     Another brilliant enunciator, seeker, and servant of

Truth, the Rev. William R. Alger of Boston, signalled

me kindly as my lone bark rose and fell and rode the rough

sea. At a conversazione in Boston, he said, "You may

find in Mrs. Eddy's metaphysical teachings more than is

dreamt of in your philosophy."

     Also that renowned apostle of anti-slavery, Wendell

Phillips, the native course of whose mind never swerved

 

DEDICATORY SERMON 7

 

from the chariot-paths of justice, speaking of my work,

said: "Had I young blood in my veins, I would help that

woman."

     I love Boston, and especially the laws of the State where-

of this city is the capital. To-day, as of yore, her laws

have befriended progress.

     Yet when I recall the past, — how the gospel of healing

was simultaneously praised and persecuted in Boston, —

and remember also that God is just, I wonder whether,

were our dear Master in our New England metropolis at

this hour, he would not weep over it, as he wept over

Jerusalem! O ye tears! Not in vain did ye flow. Those

sacred drops were but enshrined for future use, and God

has now unsealed their receptacle with His outstretched

arm. Those crystal globes made morals for mankind.

They will rise with joy, and with power to wash away, in

floods of forgiveness, every crime, even when mistakenly

committed in the name of religion.

     An unjust, unmerciful, and oppressive priesthood must

perish, for false prophets in the present as in the past

stumble onward to their doom; while their tabernacles

crumble with dry rot. "God is not mocked," and "the

word of the Lord endureth forever.''

     I have ordained the Bible and the Christian Science

textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,''

as pastor of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in

Boston, — so long as this church is satisfied with this

pastor. This is my first ordination. "They shall be

abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and

Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures."

 

8 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

     All praise to the press of America's Athens, — and

throughout our land the press has spoken out historically,

impartially. Like the winds telling tales through the

leaves of an ancient oak, unfallen, may our church chimes

repeat my thanks to the press.

     Notwithstanding the perplexed condition of our na-

tion's finances, the want and woe with millions of dollars

unemployed in our money centres, the Christian Scientists,

within fourteen months, responded to the call for this

church with $191,012. Not a mortgage was given nor a

loan solicited, and the donors all touchingly told their

privileged joy at helping to build The Mother Church.

There was no urging, begging, or borrowing; only the

need made known, and forth came the money, or dia-

monds, which served to erect this "miracle in stone."

     Even the children vied with their parents to meet the

demand. Little hands, never before devoted to menial

services, shoveled snow, and babes gave kisses to earn a

few pence toward this consummation. Some of these

lambs my prayers had christened, but Christ will rechristen

them with his own new name. "Out of the mouths of

babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise." The

resident youthful workers were called "Busy Bees."

     Sweet society, precious children, your loving hearts and

deft fingers distilled the nectar and painted the finest

flowers in the fabric of this history, — even its centre-piece,

— Mother's Room in The First Church of Christ, Sci-

entist, in Boston. The children are destined to witness

results which will eclipse Oriental dreams. They belong

to the twentieth century. By juvenile aid, into the build-

 

DEDICATORY SERMON 9

 

ing fund have come $4,460. Ah, children, you are the

bulwarks of freedom, the cement of society, the hope of

our race!

     Brothers of the Christian Science Board of Directors,

when your tireless tasks are done — well done — no Del-

phian lyre could break the full chords of such a rest. May

the altar you have built never be shattered in our hearts,

but justice, mercy, and love kindle perpetually its fires.

     It was well that the brother whose appliances warm

this house, warmed also our perishless hope, and nerved

its grand fulfilment. Woman, true to her instinct, came

to the rescue as sunshine from the clouds; so, when man

quibbled over an architectural exigency, a woman climbed

with feet and hands to the top of the tower, and helped

settle the subject.

     After the loss of our late lamented pastor, Rev. D. A.

Easton, the church services were maintained by excellent

sermons from the editor of The Christian Science Journal

(who, with his better half, is a very whole man), together

with the Sunday School giving this flock "drink from the

river of His pleasures.'' O glorious hope and blessed as-

surance, "it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the

kingdom." Christians rejoice in secret, they have a bounty

hidden from the world. Self-forgetfulness, purity, and

love are treasures untold — constant prayers, prophecies,

and anointings. Practice, not profession, — goodness, not

doctrines, — spiritual understanding, not mere belief,

gain the ear and right hand of omnipotence, and call down

blessings infinite. "Faith without works is dead." The

foundation of enlightened faith is Christ's teachings and

 

10 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

practice. It was our Master's self-immolation, his life-

giving love, healing both mind and body, that raised the

deadened conscience, paralyzed by inactive faith, to a

quickened sense of mortal's necessities, — and God's

power and purpose to supply them. It was, in the words

of the Psalmist, He "who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

who healeth all thy diseases."

     Rome's fallen fanes and silent Aventine is glory's tomb;

her pomp and power lie low in dust. Our land, more

favored, had its Pilgrim Fathers. On shores of solitude,

at Plymouth Rock, they planted a nation's heart, — the

rights of conscience, imperishable glory. No dream of

avarice or ambition broke their exalted purpose, theirs

was the wish to reign in hope's reality — the realm of

Love.

     Christian Scientists, you have planted your standard

on the rock of Christ, the true, the spiritual idea, — the

chief corner-stone in the house of our God. And our

Master said: "The stone which the builders rejected, the

same is become the head of the corner." If you are less

appreciated to-day than your forefathers, wait — for if

you are as devout as they, and more scientific, as progress

certainly demands, your plant is immortal. Let us rejoice

that chill vicissitudes have not withheld the timely shelter

of this house, which descended like day-spring from on

high.

     Divine presence, breathe Thou Thy blessing on every

heart in this house. Speak out, O soul! This is the new-

born of Spirit, this is His redeemed; this, His beloved.

May the kingdom of God within you, — with you alway, —

 

DEDICATORY SERMON 11

 

reascending, bear you outward, upward, heavenward.

May the sweet song of silver-throated singers, making

melody more real, and the organ's voice, as the sound of

many waters, and the Word spoken in this sacred temple

dedicated to the ever-present God — mingle with the joy

of angels and rehearse your hearts' holy intents. May all

whose means, energies, and prayers helped erect The

Mother Church, find within it home, and heaven.

 

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE TEXTBOOK

 

     The following selections from "Science and Health

with Key to the Scriptures," pages 568-571, were read

from the platform. The impressive stillness of the audi-

ence indicated close attention.

 

     Revelation xii. 10-12. And I heard a loud voice saying in

heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the king-

dom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser

of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our

God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood

of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they

loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye

heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters

of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto

you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath

but a short time.

 

     For victory over a single sin, we give thanks and mag-

nify the Lord of Hosts. What shall we say of the mighty

conquest over all sin? A louder song, sweeter than has

ever before reached high heaven, now rises clearer and

nearer to the great heart of Christ; for the accuser is not

there, and Love sends forth her primal and everlasting

strain. Self-abnegation, by which we lay down all for

Truth, or Christ, in our warfare against error, is a rule in

Christian Science. This rule clearly interprets God as

 

12

 

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE TEXTBOOK 13

 

divine Principle, — as Life, represented by the Father;

as Truth, represented by the Son; as Love, represented

by the mother. Every mortal at some period, here or here-

after, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief

in a power opposed to God.

     The Scripture, "Thou hast been faithful over a few

things, I will make thee ruler over many," is literally ful-

filled, when we are conscious of the supremacy of Truth,

by which the nothingness of error is seen; and we know

that the nothingness of error is in proportion to its wicked-

ness. He that touches the hem of Christ's robe and masters

his mortal beliefs, animality, and hate, rejoices in the proof

of healing, — in a sweet and certain sense that God is

Love. Alas for those who break faith with divine Science

and fail to strangle the serpent of sin as well as of sickness!

They are dwellers still in the deep darkness of belief.

They are in the surging sea of error, not struggling to lift

their heads above the drowning wave.

     What must the end be? They must eventually expiate

their sin through suffering. The sin, which one has made

his bosom companion, comes back to him at last with

accelerated force, for the devil knoweth his time is short.

Here the Scriptures declare that evil is temporal, not

eternal. The dragon is at last stung to death by his own

malice; but how many periods of torture it may take to

remove all sin, must depend upon sin's obduracy.

 

     Revelation xii. 13. And when the dragon saw that he was

cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought

forth the man child.

 

14 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

     The march of mind and of honest investigation will

bring the hour when the people will chain, with fetters of

some sort, the growing occultism of this period. The

present apathy as to the tendency of certain active yet un-

seen mental agencies will finally be shocked into another

extreme mortal mood, — into human indignation; for

one extreme follows another.

 

     Revelation xii. 15, 16. And the serpent cast out of his

mouth water as a flood, after the woman, that he might

cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth

helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and

swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his

mouth.

 

     Millions of unprejudiced minds — simple seekers for

Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert — are wait-

ing and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of

cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the conse-

quences. What if the old dragon should send forth a new

flood to drown the Christ-idea? He can neither drown

your voice with its roar, nor again sink the world into the

deep waters of chaos and old night. In this age the earth

will help the woman; the spiritual idea will be understood.

Those ready for the blessing you impart will give thanks.

The waters will be pacified, and Christ will command the

wave.

     When God heals the sick or the sinning, they should

know the great benefit which Mind has wrought. They

should also know the great delusion of mortal mind, when

it makes them sick or sinful. Many are willing to open

 

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE TEXTBOOK 15

 

the eyes of the people to the power of good resident in

divine Mind, but they are not so willing to point out the

evil in human thought, and expose evil's hidden mental

ways of accomplishing iniquity.

     Why this backwardness, since exposure is necessary to

ensure the avoidance of the evil? Because people like

you better when you tell them their virtues than when you

tell them their vices. It requires the spirit of our blessed

Master to tell a man his faults, and so risk human dis-

pleasure for the sake of doing right and benefiting our

race. Who is telling mankind of the foe in ambush? Is

the informer one who sees the foe? If so, listen and be

wise. Escape from evil, and designate those as unfaithful

stewards who have seen the danger and yet have given

no warning.

     At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil

with good. Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom

and the occasion for a victory over evil. Clad in the

panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you. The

cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the

one divinity.

 

HYMNS

 

By Rev. Mart Baker Eddy

[Set to the Church Chimes and Sung on This Occasion]

 

Laying the Corner-stone

 

Laus Deo, it is done!

Rolled away from loving heart

     Is a stone.

Joyous, risen, we depart

     Having one.

 

Laus Deo, — on this rock

(Heaven chiselled squarely good)

     Stands His church, —

God is Love, and understood

     By His flock.

 

Laus Deo, night starlit

Slumbers not in God's embrace;

     Then, O man!

Like this stone, be in thy place;

     Stand, not sit.

 

Cold, silent, stately stone.

Dirge and song and shoutings low,

     In thy heart

Dwell serene, — and sorrow? No,

     It has none,

     Laus Deo!

 

16

 

HYMNS 17

 

"Feed My Sheep''

 

Shepherd, show me how to go

     O'er the hillside steep,

How to gather, how to sow, —

     How to feed Thy sheep;

I will listen for Thy voice.

     Lest my footsteps stray;

I will follow and rejoice

     All the rugged way.

 

Thou wilt bind the stubborn will,

     Wound the callous breast.

Make self-righteousness be still,

     Break earth's stupid rest.

Strangers on a barren shore.

     Laboring long and lone —

We would enter by the door,

     And Thou know'st Thine own.

 

So, when day grows dark and cold,

     Tear or triumph harms.

Lead Thy lambkins to the fold.

     Take them in Thine arms;

Feed the hungry, heal the heart,

     Till the morning's beam;

White as wool, ere they depart —

     Shepherd, wash them clean.

 

18 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

Christ My Refuge

 

O'er waiting harpstrings of the mind

     There sweeps a strain,

Low, sad, and sweet, whose measures bind

     The power of pain.

 

And wake a white-winged angel throng

     Of thoughts, illumed

By faith, and breathed in raptured song.

     With love perfumed.

 

Then his unveiled, sweet mercies show

     Life's burdens light.

I kiss the cross, and wake to know

     A world more bright.

 

And o'er earth's troubled, angry sea

     I see Christ walk.

And come to me, and tenderly.

     Divinely talk.

 

Thus Truth engrounds me on the rock.

     Upon Life's shore;

'Gainst which the winds and waves can shock.

     Oh, nevermore!

 

From tired joy and grief afar,

     And nearer Thee, —

Father, where Thine own children are,

     I love to be.

 

HYMNS 19

 

My prayer, some daily good to do

     To Thine, for Thee;

Some offering pure of Love, whereto

     God leadeth me.

 

NOTE

By Rev. Mary Baker Eddy

 

     The land whereon stands The First Church of Christ,

Scientist, in Boston, was first purchased by the church

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.

     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

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-

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

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,

and religious reform ever known on earth. In the words

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

land."

     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,

Jesus of Nazareth.

 

20

 

NOTE 21

 

     Christian Scientists, their children and grandchildren

to the latest generations, inevitably love one another with

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

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

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

Christian endeavor society, which Christ organizes and

blesses.

     While we entertain due respect and fellowship for what

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.

     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-

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-

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

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,

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

 

22 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

with unworldliness, can give peace and good will towards

men.

     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,

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.''

    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,

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

classified as Christian Scientists.

    When the doctrinal barriers between the churches are

broken, and the bonds of peace are cemented by spiritual

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

places budded and blossomed as the rose.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS

 

[Daily Inter-Ocean, Chicago, December 31, 1894]

 

Mary Baker Eddy

 

Completion of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston

     — "Our Prayer in Stone" — Description of the Most

     Unique Structure in Any City — A Beautiful Temple

     and Its Furnishings — Mrs. Eddy's Work and Her In-

     fluence

 

     Boston, Mass., December 28. — Special Correspond-

ence. — The "great awakening" of the time of Jonathan

Edwards has been paralleled during the last decade by a

wave of idealism that has swept over the country, mani-

festing itself under several different aspects and under

various names, but each having the common identity of

spiritual demand. This movement, under the guise of

Christian Science, and ingenuously calling out a closer

inquiry into Oriental philosophy, prefigures itself to us

as one of the most potent factors in the social evolution

of the last quarter of the nineteenth century. History

shows the curious fact that the closing years of every cen-

tury are years of more intense life, manifested in unrest

or in aspiration, and scholars of special research, like

Prof. Max Muller, assert that the end of a cycle, as is the

latter part of the present century, is marked by peculiar

intimations of man's immortal life.

 

23

 

24 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

     The completion of the first Christian Science church

erected in Boston strikes a keynote of definite attention.

This church is in the fashionable Back Bay, between

Commonwealth and Huntington Avenues. It is one of

the most beautiful, and is certainly the most unique struc-

ture in any city. The First Church of Christ, Scientist,

as it is officially called, is termed by its Founder, "Our

prayer in stone." It is located at the intersection of Nor-

way and Falmouth Streets, on a triangular plot of ground,

the design a Romanesque tower with a circular front and

an octagonal form, accented by stone porticos and turreted

corners. On the front is a marble tablet, with the follow-

ing inscription carved in bold relief: —

     "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, erected Anno

Domini 1894. A testimonial to our beloved teacher,

the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder

of Christian Science; author of "Science and Health

with Key to the Scriptures;" president of the Massa-

chusetts Metaphysical College, and the first pastor of

this denomination."

 

THE CHURCH EDIFICE

 

     The church is built of Concord granite in light gray,

with trimmings of the pink granite of New Hampshire,

Mrs. Eddy's native State. The architecture is Romanesque

throughout. The tower is one hundred and twenty feet in

height and twenty-one and one half feet square. The en-

trances are of marble, with doors of antique oak richly

carved. The windows of stained glass are very rich in

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 25

 

pictorial effect. The lighting and cooling of the church —

for cooling is a recognized feature as well as heating —

are done by electricity, and the heat generated by two

large boilers in the basement is distributed by the four

systems with motor electric power. The partitions are

of iron; the floors of marble in mosaic work, and the

edifice is therefore as literally fire-proof as is conceivable.

The principal features are the auditorium, seating eleven

hundred people and capable of holding fifteen hundred;

the "Mother's Room,'' designed for the exclusive use of

Mrs. Eddy; the "directors' room," and the vestry. The

girders are all of iron, the roof is of terra cotta tiles, the

galleries are in plaster relief, the window frames are of

iron, coated with plaster; the staircases are of iron, with

marble stairs of rose pink, and marble approaches.

     The vestibule is a fitting entrance to this magnificent

temple. In the ceiling is a sunburst with a seven-pointed

star, which illuminates it. From this are the entrances

leading to the auditorium, the "Mother's Room," and

the directors' room.

     The auditorium is seated with pews of curly birch, up-

holstered in old rose plush. The floor is in white Italian

mosaic, with frieze of the old rose, and the wainscoting

repeats the same tints. The base and cap are of pink

Tennessee marble. On the walls are bracketed oxidized

silver lamps of Roman design, and there are frequent

illuminated texts from the Bible and from Mrs. Eddy's

"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" im-

panelled. A sunburst in the centre of the ceiling takes

the place of chandeliers. There is a disc of cut glass in

 

26 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

decorative designs, covering one hundred and forty-four

electric lights in the form of a star, which is twenty-one

inches from point to point, the centre being of pure white

light, and each ray under prisms which reflect the rainbow

tints. The galleries are richly panelled in relief work.

The organ and choir gallery is spacious and rich beyond

the power of words to depict. The platform — corre-

sponding to the chancel of an Episcopal church — is a

mosaic work, with richly carved seats following the sweep

of its curve, with a lamp stand of the Renaissance period

on either end, bearing six richly wrought oxidized silver

lamps, eight feet in height. The great organ comes from

Detroit. It is one of vast compass, with Æolian attach-

ment, and cost eleven thousand dollars. It is the gift of

a single individual — a votive offering of gratitude for the

healing of the wife of the donor.

     The chime of bells includes fifteen, of fine range and

perfect tone.

 

THE "MOTHER'S ROOM"

 

     The "Mother's Room" is approached by an entrance of

Italian marble, and over the door, in large golden letters on

a marble tablet, is the word "Love." In this room the

mosaic marble floor of white has a Romanesque border and

is decorated with sprays of fig leaves bearing fruit. The

room is toned in pale green with relief in old rose. The

mantel is of onyx and gold. Before the great bay window

hangs an Athenian lamp over two hundred years old,

which will be kept always burning day and night. Lead-

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 27

 

ing off the "Mother's Room" are toilet apartments, with

full-length French mirrors and every convenience.

     The directors' room is very beautiful in marble ap-

proaches and rich carving, and off this is a vault for the

safe preservation of papers.

     The vestry seats eight hundred people, and opening from

it are three large class-rooms and the pastor's study.

     The windows are a remarkable feature of this temple.

There are no "memorial" windows; the entire church is a

testimonial, not a memorial — a point that the members

strongly insist upon.

     In the auditorium are two rose windows — one repre-

senting the heavenly city which "cometh down from God

out of heaven," with six small windows beneath, emblem-

atic of the six water-pots referred to in John ii. 6. The

other rose window represents the raising of the daughter

of Jairus. Beneath are two small windows bearing palms

of victory, and others with lamps, typical of Science and

Health.

     Another great window tells its pictorial story of the four

Marys — the mother of Jesus, Mary anointing the head of

Jesus, Mary washing the feet of Jesus, Mary at the resur-

rection; and the woman spoken of in the Apocalypse,

chapter 12, God-crowned.

     One more window in the auditorium represents the

raising of Lazarus.

     In the gallery are windows representing John on the

Isle of Patmos, and others of pictorial significance. In

the "Mother's Room" the windows are of still more unique

interest. A large bay window, composed of three separate

 

28 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

panels, is designed to be wholly typical of the work of Mrs.

Eddy. The central panel represents her in solitude and

meditation, searching the Scriptures by the light of a single

candle, while the star of Bethlehem shines down from above.

Above this is a panel containing the Christian Science seal,

and other panels are decorated with emblematic designs,

with the legends, "Heal the Sick," "Raise the Dead,"

"Cleanse the Lepers," and "Cast out Demons."

     The cross and the crown and the star are presented in

appropriate decorative effect. The cost of this church is

two hundred and twenty-one thousand dollars, exclusive

of the land — a gift from Mrs. Eddy — which is valued

at some forty thousand dollars.

 

THE ORDER OF SERVICE

 

     The order of service in the Christian Science Church

does not differ widely from that of any other sect, save that

its service includes the use of Mrs. Eddy's book, entitled

"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in per-

haps equal measure to its use of the Bible. The reading

is from the two alternately; the singing is from a compila-

tion called the "Christian Science Hymnal," but its songs

are for the most part those devotional hymns from Herbert,

Faber, Robertson, Wesley, Browning, and other recog-

nized devotional poets, with selections from Whittier and

Lowell, as are found in the hymn-books of the Unitarian

churches. For the past year or two Judge Hanna, for-

merly of Chicago, has filled the office of pastor to the

church in this city, which held its meetings in Chickering

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 29

 

Hall, and later in Copley Hall, in the new Grundmann

Studio Building on Copley Square. Preceding Judge

Hanna were Rev. D. A. Easton and Rev. L. P. Norcross,

both of whom had formerly been Congregational clergy-

men. The organizer and first pastor of the church here

was Mrs. Eddy herself, of whose work I shall venture to

speak, a little later, in this article.

     Last Sunday I gave myself the pleasure of attending the

service held in Copley Hall. The spacious apartment was

thronged with a congregation whose remarkable earnest-

ness impressed the observer. There was no straggling

of late-comers. Before the appointed hour every seat in the

hall was filled and a large number of chairs pressed into

service for the overflowing throng. The music was spirited,

and the selections from the Bible and from Science and

Health were finely read by Judge Hanna. Then came his

sermon, which dealt directly with the command of Christ

to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast

out demons." In his admirable discourse Judge Hanna

said that while all these injunctions could, under certain

conditions, be interpreted and fulfilled literally, the

special lesson was to be taken spiritually — to cleanse the

leprosy of sin, to cast out the demons of evil thought.

The discourse was able, and helpful in its suggestive

interpretation.

 

THE CHURCH MEMBERS

 

     Later I was told that almost the entire congregation was

composed of persons who had either been themselves, or

 

30 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

had seen members of their own families, healed by Chris-

tian Science treatment; and I was further told that once

when a Boston clergyman remonstrated with Judge Hanna

for enticing a separate congregation rather than offering

their strength to unite with churches already established —

I was told he replied that the Christian Science Church did

not recruit itself from other churches, but from the grave-

yards! The church numbers now four thousand members;

but this estimate, as I understand, is not limited to the

Boston adherents, but includes those all over the country.

The ceremonial of uniting is to sign a brief "confession of

faith," written by Mrs. Eddy, and to unite in communion,

which is not celebrated by outward symbols of bread and

wine, but by uniting in silent prayer.

     The "confession of faith" includes the declaration that

the Scriptures are the guide to eternal Life; that there is a

Supreme Being, and His Son, and the Holy Ghost, and

that man is made in His image. It affirms the atonement;

it recognizes Jesus as the teacher and guide to salvation;

the forgiveness of sin by God, and affirms the power of

Truth over error, and the need of living faith at the

moment to realize the possibilities of the divine Life.

The entire membership of Christian Scientists throughout

the world now exceeds two hundred thousand people. The

church in Boston was organized by Mrs. Eddy, and the

first meeting held on April 19, 1879. It opened with

twenty-six members, and within fifteen years it has grown

to its present impressive proportions, and has now its own

magnificent church building, costing over two hundred

thousand dollars, and entirely paid for when its consecra-

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 31

 

tion service on January 6 shall be celebrated. This is

certainly a very remarkable retrospect.

     Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the Founder of this denomina-

tion and Discoverer of Christian Science, as they term her

work in affirming the present application of the principles

asserted by Jesus, is a most interesting personality. At

the risk of colloquialism, I am tempted to "begin at the

beginning" of my own knowledge of Mrs. Eddy, and take,

as the point of departure, my first meeting with her and

the subsequent development of some degree of familiarity

with the work of her life which that meeting inaugurated

for me.

 

MRS. EDDY

 

     It was during some year in the early '80's that I became

aware — from that close contact with public feeling result-

ing from editorial work in daily journalism — that the

Boston atmosphere was largely thrilled and pervaded by a

new and increasing interest in the dominance of mind over

matter, and that the central figure in all this agitation was

Mrs. Eddy. To a note which I wrote her, begging the

favor of an interview for press use, she most kindly replied,

naming an evening on which she would receive me. At

the hour named I rang the bell at a spacious house on

Columbus Avenue, and I was hardly more than seated be-

fore Mrs. Eddy entered the room. She impressed me as

singularly graceful and winning in bearing and manner,

and with great claim to personal beauty. Her figure was

tall, slender, and as flexible in movement as that of a Del-

 

32 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

sarte disciple; her face, framed in dark hair and lighted

by luminous blue eyes, had the transparency and rose-flush

of tint so often seen in New England, and she was magnetic,

earnest, impassioned. No photographs can do the least

justice to Mrs. Eddy, as her beautiful complexion and

changeful expression cannot thus be reproduced. At once

one would perceive that she had the temperament to domi-

nate, to lead, to control, not by any crude self-assertion, but

a spiritual animus. Of course such a personality, with the

wonderful tumult in the air that her large and enthusiastic

following excited, fascinated the imagination. What had

she originated? I mentally questioned this modern St.

Catherine, who was dominating her followers like any ab-

bess of old. She told me the story of her life, so far as out-

ward events may translate those inner experiences which

alone are significant.

     Mary Baker was the daughter of Mark and Abigail

(Ambrose) Baker, and was born in Concord, N. H., some-

where in the early decade of 1820-'30. At the time I met

her she must have been some sixty years of age, yet she had

the coloring and the elastic bearing of a woman of thirty,

and this, she told me, was due to the principles of Chris-

tian Science. On her father's side Mrs. Eddy came from

Scotch and English ancestry, and Hannah More was a

relative of her grandmother. Deacon Ambrose, her mater-

nal grandfather, was known as a "godly man," and her

mother was a religious enthusiast, a saintly and consecrated

character. One of her brothers, Albert Baker, graduated

at Dartmouth and achieved eminence as a lawyer.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 33

 

MRS. EDDY AS A CHILD

 

     As a child Mary Baker saw visions and dreamed dreams.

When eight years of age she began, like Jeanne d'Arc, to

hear "voices," and for a year she heard her name called

distinctly, and would often run to her mother questioning

if she were wanted. One night the mother related to her

the story of Samuel, and bade her, if she heard the voice

again to reply as he did: "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant

heareth." The call came, but the little maid was afraid

and did not reply. This caused her tears of remorse and

she prayed for forgiveness, and promised to reply if the call

came again. It came, and she answered as her mother had

bidden her, and after that it ceased.

     These experiences, of which Catholic biographies are

full, and which history not infrequently emphasizes, cer-

tainly offer food for meditation. Theodore Parker related

that when he was a lad, at work in a field one day on his

father's farm at Lexington, an old man with a snowy beard

suddenly appeared at his side, and walked with him as he

worked, giving him high counsel and serious thought. All

inquiry in the neighborhood as to whence the stranger

came or whither he went was fruitless; no one else had

seen him, and Mr. Parker always believed, so a friend has

told me, that his visitor was a spiritual form from another

world. It is certainly true that many and many persons,

whose life has been destined to more than ordinary achieve-

ment, have had experiences of voices or visions in their

early youth.

 

34 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

     At an early age Miss Baker was married to Colonel

Glover, of Charleston, S. C., who lived only a year. She

returned to her father's home — in 1844 — and from that

time until 1866 no special record is to be made.

     In 1866, while living in Lynn, Mass., Mrs. Eddy (then

Mrs. Glover) met with a severe accident, and her case

was pronounced hopeless by the physicians. There came

a Sunday morning when her pastor came to bid her good-

by before proceeding to his morning service, as there was

no probability that she would be alive at its close. During

this time she suddenly became aware of a divine illumina-

tion and ministration. She requested those with her to

withdraw, and reluctantly they did so, believing her de-

lirious. Soon, to their bewilderment and fright, she walked

into the adjoining room, "and they thought I had died,

and that it was my apparition,'' she said.

 

THE PRINCIPLE OF DIVINE HEALING

 

     From that hour dated her conviction of the Principle of

divine healing, and that it is as true to-day as it was in the

days when Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth. "I felt

that the divine Spirit had wrought a miracle," she said, in

reference to this experience. "How, I could not tell, but

later I found it to be in perfect scientific accord with the

divine law." From 1866-69 Mrs. Eddy withdrew from the

world to meditate, to pray, to search the Scriptures.

     "During this time," she said, in reply to my questions,

"the Bible was my only textbook. It answered my ques-

tions as to the process by which I was restored to health;

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 35

 

it came to me with a new meaning, and suddenly I appre-

hended the spiritual meaning of the teaching of Jesus and

the Principle and the law involved in spiritual Science

and metaphysical healing — in a word — Christian

Science."

     Mrs. Eddy came to perceive that Christ's healing was not

miraculous, but was simply a natural fulfilment of divine

law — a law as operative in the world to-day as it was

nineteen hundred years ago. "Divine Science is begotten

of spirituality," she says, "since only the 'pure in heart'

can see God."

     In writing of this experience, Mrs. Eddy has said: —

     "I had learned that thought must be spiritualized in

order to apprehend Spirit. It must become honest, un-

selfish, and pure, in order to have the least understanding

of God in divine Science. The first must become last.

Our reliance upon material things must be transferred to

a perception of and dependence on spiritual things. For

Spirit to be supreme in demonstration, it must be supreme

in our affections, and we must be clad with divine power.

I had learned that Mind reconstructed the body, and that

nothing else could. All Science is a revelation."

     Through homoeopathy, too, Mrs. Eddy became con-

vinced of the Principle of Mind-healing, discovering that

the more attenuated the drug, the more potent was its

effects.

     In 1877 Mrs. Glover married Dr. Asa Gilbert Eddy, of

Londonderry, Vermont, a physician who had come into

sympathy with her own views, and who was the first to

place "Christian Scientist" on the sign at his door. Dr.

 

36 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

Eddy died in 1882, a year after her founding of the Meta-

physical College in Boston, in which he taught.

     The work in the Metaphysical College lasted nine years,

and it was closed (in 1889) in the very zenith of its pros-

perity, as Mrs. Eddy felt it essential to the deeper founda-

tion of her religious work to retire from active contact with

the world. To this College came hundreds and hundreds

of students, from Europe as well as this country. I was

present at the class lectures now and then, by Mrs. Eddy's

kind invitation, and such earnestness of attention as was

given to her morning talks by the men and women present

I never saw equalled.

 

MRS. EDDY'S PERSONALITY

 

     On the evening that I first met Mrs. Eddy by her hos-

pitable courtesy, I went to her peculiarly fatigued. I came

away in a state of exhilaration and energy that made me

feel I could have walked any conceivable distance. I have

met Mrs. Eddy many times since then, and always with

this experience repeated.

     Several years ago Mrs. Eddy removed from Columbus

to Commonwealth Avenue, where, just beyond Massa-

chusetts Avenue, at the entrance to the Back Bay Park,

she bought one of the most beautiful residences in Boston.

The interior is one of the utmost taste and luxury, and the

house is now occupied by Judge and Mrs. Hanna, who are

the editors of The Christian Science Journal, a monthly

publication, and to whose courtesy I am much indebted

for some of the data of this paper. "It is a pleasure to

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 37

 

give any information for The Inter-Ocean," remarked

Mrs. Hanna, "for it is the great daily that is so fair and so

just in its attitude toward all questions."

     The increasing demands of the public on Mrs. Eddy

have been, it may be, one factor in her removal to Concord,

N. H., where she has a beautiful residence, called Pleasant

View. Her health is excellent, and although her hair is

white, she retains in a great degree her energy and power;

she takes a daily walk and drives in the afternoon. She

personally attends to a vast correspondence; superin-

tends the church in Boston, and is engaged on further

writings on Christian Science. In every sense she is the

recognized head of the Christian Science Church. At the

same time it is her most earnest aim to eliminate the ele-

ment of personality from the faith. ''On this point, Mrs.

Eddy feels very strongly," said a gentleman to me on

Christmas eve, as I sat in the beautiful drawing-room,

where Judge and Mrs. Hanna, Miss Elsie Lincoln, the

soprano for the choir of the new church, and one or two

other friends were gathered.

     "Mother feels very strongly," he continued, "the danger

and the misfortune of a church depending on any one

personality. It is difficult not to centre too closely around

a highly gifted personality."

 

THE FIRST ASSOCIATION

 

     The first Christian Scientist Association was organized

on July 4, 1876, by seven persons, including Mrs. Eddy.

In April, 1879, the church was founded with twenty-six

 

38 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

members, and its charter obtained the following June.

Mrs. Eddy had preached in other parishes for five years

before being ordained in this church, which ceremony

took place in 1881.

     The first edition of Mrs. Eddy's book, Science and

Health, was issued in 1875. During these succeeding

twenty years it has been greatly revised and enlarged, and

it is now in its ninety-first edition. It consists of fourteen

chapters, whose titles are as follows: "Science, Theology,

Medicine," " Physiology," "Footsteps of Truth," "Crea-

tion," "Science of Being," "Christian Science and Spirit-

ualism," "Marriage," "Animal Magnetism," "Some

Objections Answered," "Prayer," "Atonement and Eu-

charist," "Christian Science Practice," "Teaching Chris-

tian Science," "Recapitulation," Key to the Scriptures,

Genesis, Apocalypse, and Glossary.

     The Christian Scientists do not accept the belief we call

spiritualism. They believe those who have passed the

change of death are in so entirely different a plane of con-

sciousness that between the embodied and disembodied

there is no possibility of communication.

     They are diametrically opposed to the philosophy of

Karma and of reincarnation, which are the tenets of 

theosophy. They hold with strict fidelity to what they

believe to be the literal teachings of Christ.

     Yet each and all these movements, however they may

differ among themselves, are phases of idealism and mani-

festations of a higher spirituality seeking expression.

     It is good that each and all shall prosper, serving those

who find in one form of belief or another their best aid

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 39

 

and guidance, and that all meet on common ground in the

great essentials of love to God and love to man as a signal

proof of the divine origin of humanity which finds no rest

until it finds the peace of the Lord in spirituality. They

all teach that one great truth, that

 

     God's greatness flows around our incompleteness,

     Round our restlessness, His rest.

 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

_______

 

     I add on the following page a little poem that I con-

sider superbly sweet — from my friend, Miss Whiting,

the talented author of "The World Beautiful." — M. B.

Eddy.

 

At the Window

 

[Written for the Traveller]

 

The sunset, burning low,

     Throws o'er the Charles its flood of golden light.

Dimly, as in a dream, I watch the flow

     Of waves of light.

 

The splendor of the sky

     Repeats its glory in the river's flow;

And sculptured angels, on the gray church tower.

     Gaze on the world below.

 

Dimly, as in a dream,

     I see the hurrying throng before me pass,

But 'mid them all I only see one face.

     Under the meadow grass.

 

40 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

Ah, love! I only know

     How thoughts of you forever cling to me:

I wonder how the seasons come and go

     Beyond the sapphire sea?

 

Lilian Whiting.

April 15, 1888.

 

_______

 

 

[Boston Herald, January 7, 1895]

 

[Extract]

 

A Temple Given to God — Dedication of The

Mother Church of Christian Science

 

Novel Method of Enabling Six Thousand Believers to

Attend the Exercises — The Service Repeated Four

Times — Sermon by Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, Founder of

the Denomination — Beautiful Room Which the Children

Built

 

     With simple ceremonies, four times repeated, in the

presence of four different congregations, aggregating

nearly six thousand persons, the unique and costly edifice

erected in Boston at Norway and Falmouth Streets as a

home for The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and a

testimonial to the Discoverer and Founder of Christian

Science, Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, was yesterday dedicated

to the worship of God.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 41

 

     The structure came forth from the hands of the artisans

with every stone paid for — with an appeal, not for more

money, but for a cessation of the tide of contributions

which continued to flow in after the full amount needed

was received. From every State in the Union, and from

many lands, the love-offerings of the disciples of Christian

Science came to help erect this beautiful structure, and

more than four thousand of these contributors came to

Boston, from the far-off Pacific coast and the Gulf States

and all the territory that lies between, to view the new-

built temple and to listen to the Message sent them by

the teacher they revere.

     From all New England the members of the denomina-

tion gathered; New York sent its hundreds, and even

from the distant States came parties of forty and fifty.

The large auditorium, with its capacity for holding from

fourteen hundred to fifteen hundred persons, was hopelessly

incapable of receiving this vast throng, to say nothing of

nearly a thousand local believers. Hence the service was

repeated until all who wished had heard and seen; and

each of the four vast congregations filled the church to

repletion.

     At 7:30 a. m. the chimes in the great stone tower, which

rises one hundred and twenty-six feet above the earth,

rung out their message of "On earth peace, good will

toward men.''

     Old familiar hymns — "All hail the power of Jesus'

name," and others such — were chimed until the hour for

the dedication service had come.

     At 9 a. m. the first congregation gathered. Before this

 

42 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

service had closed the large vestry room and the spacious

lobbies and the sidewalks around the church were all

filled with awaiting multitude. At 10:30 o'clock another

service began, and at noon still another. Then there was

an intermission, and at 3 p. m. the service was repeated

for the last time.

     There was scarcely even a minor variation in the exer-

cises at any one of these services. At 10:30 a. m., how-

ever, the scene was rendered particularly interesting by

the presence of several hundred children in the central

pews. These were the little contributors to the building

fund, whose money was devoted to the "Mother's Room,''

a superb apartment intended for the sole use of Mrs. Eddy.

These children are known in the church as the "Busy

Bees," and each of them wore a white satin badge with a

golden beehive stamped upon it, and beneath the beehive

the words, "Mother's Room," in gilt letters.

     The pulpit end of the auditorium was rich with the

adornment of flowers. On the wall of the choir gallery

above the platform, where the organ is to be hereafter

placed, a huge seven-pointed star was hung — a star of

lilies resting on palms, with a centre of white immortelles,

upon which in letters of red were the words: "Love-

Children's Offering — 1894."

     In the choir and the steps of the platform were potted

palms and ferns and Easter lilies. The desk was wreathed

with ferns and pure white roses fastened with a broad

ribbon bow. On its right was a large basket of white

carnations resting on a mat of palms, and on its left a vase

filled with beautiful pink roses.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 43

 

     Two combined choirs — that of First Church of Christ,

Scientist, of New York, and the choir of the home church,

numbering thirty-five singers in all — led the singing,

under the direction, respectively, of Mr. Henry Lincoln

Case and Miss Elsie Lincoln.

     Judge S. J. Hanna, editor of The Christian Science

Journal, presided over the exercises. On the platform

with him were Messrs. Ira O. Knapp, Joseph Armstrong,

Stephen A. Chase, and William B. Johnson, who compose

the Board of Directors, and Mrs. Henrietta Clark Bemis,

a distinguished elocutionist, and a native of Concord, New

Hampshire.

     The utmost simplicity marked the exercises. After an

organ voluntary, the hymn, "Laus Deo, it is done!"

written by Mrs. Eddy for the corner-stone laying last

spring, was sung by the congregation. Selections from the

Scriptures and from "Science and Health with Key to the

Scriptures," were read by Judge Hanna and Dr. Eddy.

     A few minutes of silent prayer came next, followed by

the recitation of the Lord's Prayer, with its spiritual inter-

pretation as given in the Christian Science textbook.

     The sermon prepared for the occasion by Mrs. Eddy,

which was looked forward to as the chief feature of the

dedication, was then read by Mrs. Bemis. Mrs. Eddy

remained at her home in Concord, N. H., during the day,

because, as heretofore stated in The Herald, it is her

custom to discourage among her followers that sort of

personal worship which religious teachers so often receive.

     Before presenting the sermon, Mrs. Bemis read the fol-

lowing letter from a former pastor of the church: —

 

44 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

"To Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.

 

"Dear Teacher, Leader, Guide: — 'Laus Deo, it is done!'

At last you begin to see the fruition of that you have worked,

toiled, prayed for. The 'prayer in stone' is accomplished.

Across two thousand miles of space, as mortal sense puts

it, I send my hearty congratulations. You are fully occu-

pied, but I thought you would willingly pause for an

instant to receive this brief message of congratulation.

Surely it marks an era in the blessed onward work of

Christian Science. It is a most auspicious hour in your

eventful career. While we all rejoice, yet the mother in

Israel, alone of us all, comprehends its full significance.

 

''Yours lovingly,

"Lanson P. Norcross."

_______

 

[Boston Sunday Globe, January 6, 1895]

[Extract]

 

Stately Home for Believers in Gospel Healing —

A Woman of Wealth Who Devotes All to Her

Church Work

 

     Christian Science has shown its power over its students,

as they are called, by building a church by voluntary con-

tributions, the first of its kind; a church which will be

dedicated to-day with a quarter of a million dollars ex-

pended and free of debt.

     The money has flowed in from all parts of the United

States and Canada without any special appeal, and it kept

coming until the custodian of funds cried ''enough" and

refused to accept any further checks by mail or otherwise.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 45

 

Men, women, and children lent a helping hand, some

giving a mite and some substantial sums. Sacrifices were

made in many an instance which will never be known in

this world.

     Christian Scientists not only say that they can effect

cures of disease and erect churches, but add that they can

get their buildings finished on time, even when the feat

seems impossible to mortal senses. Read the following,

from a publication of the new denomination: —

     "One of the grandest and most helpful features of this

glorious consummation is this: that one month before the

close of the year every evidence of material sense declared

that the church's completion within the year 1894 tran-

scended human possibility. The predictions of workman

and onlooker alike were that it could not be completed

before April or May of 1895. Much was the ridicule

heaped upon the hopeful, trustful ones, who declared and

repeatedly asseverated to the contrary. This is indeed,

then, a scientific demonstration. It has proved, in most

striking manner, the oft-repeated declarations of our

textbooks, that the evidence of the mortal senses is

unreliable.''

     A week ago Judge Hanna withdrew from the pastorate

of the church, saying he gladly laid down his responsibili-

ties to be succeeded by the grandest of ministers — the

Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scrip-

tures." This action, it appears, was the result of rules

made by Mrs. Eddy. The sermons hereafter will consist

of passages read from the two books by Readers, who will

be elected each year by the congregation.

 

46 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

     A story has been abroad that Judge Hanna was so elo-

quent and magnetic that he was attracting listeners who

came to hear him preach, rather than in search of the

truth as taught. Consequently the new rules were formu-

lated. But at Christian Science headquarters this is denied;

Mrs. Eddy says the words of the judge speak to the point,

and that no such inference is to be drawn therefrom.

     In Mrs. Eddy's personal reminiscences, which are pub-

lished under the title of "Retrospection and Introspection,"

much is told of herself in detail that can only be touched

upon in this brief sketch.

     Aristocratic to the backbone, Mrs. Eddy takes delight

in going back to the ancestral tree and in tracing those

branches which are identified with good and great names

both in Scotland and England.

     Her family came to this country not long before the

Revolution. Among the many souvenirs that Mrs. Eddy

remembers as belonging to her grandparents was a heavy

sword, encased in a brass scabbard, upon which had been

inscribed the name of the kinsman upon whom the sword

had been bestowed by Sir William Wallace of mighty

Scottish fame.

     Mrs. Eddy applied herself, like other girls, to her studies,

though perhaps with an unusual zest, delighting in philos-

ophy, logic, and moral science, as well as looking into the

ancient languages, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

     Her last marriage was in the spring of 1877, when, at

Lynn, Mass., she became the wife of Asa Gilbert Eddy.

He was the first organizer of a Christian Science Sunday

School, of which he was the superintendent, and later he

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 47

 

attracted the attention of many clergymen of other de-

nominations by his able lectures upon Scriptural topics.

He died in 1882.

     Mrs. Eddy is known to her circle of pupils and admirers

as the editor and publisher of the first official organ of this

sect. It was called the Journal of Christian Science, and

has had great circulation with the members of this fast-

increasing faith.

     In recounting her experiences as the pioneer of Chris-

tian Science, she states that she sought knowledge concern-

ing the physical side in this research through the different

schools of allopathy, homoeopathy, and so forth, without

receiving any real satisfaction. No ancient or modern

philosophy gave her any distinct statement of the Science

of Mind-healing. She claims that no human reason has

been equal to the question. And she also defines care-

fully the difference in the theories between faith-cure and

Christian Science, dwelling particularly upon the terms

belief and understanding, which are the key words respec-

tively used in the definitions of these two healing arts.

     Besides her Boston home, Mrs. Eddy has a delightful

country home one mile from the State House of New

Hampshire's quiet capital, an easy driving distance for

her when she wishes to catch a glimpse of the world. But

for the most part she lives very much retired, driving rather

into the country, which is so picturesque all about Con-

cord and its surrounding villages.

     The big house, so delightfully remodelled and modern-

ized from a primitive homestead that nothing is left ex-

cepting the angles and pitch of the roof, is remarkably

 

48 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

well placed upon a terrace that slopes behind the build-

ings, while they themselves are in the midst of green

stretches of lawns, dotted with beds of flowering shrubs,

with here and there a fountain or summer-house.

     Mrs. Eddy took the writer straight to her beloved "look-

out" — a broad piazza on the south side of the second

story of the house, where she can sit in her swinging chair,

revelling in the lights and shades of spring and summer

greenness. Or, as just then, in the gorgeous October

coloring of the whole landscape that lies below, across the

farm, which stretches on through an intervale of beautiful

meadows and pastures to the woods that skirt the valley

of the little truant river, as it wanders eastward.

     It pleased her to point out her own birthplace. Straight

as the crow flies, from her piazza, does it lie on the brow

of Bow hill, and then she paused and reminded the reporter

that Congressman Baker from New Hampshire, her cousin,

was born and bred in that same neighborhood. The

photograph of Hon. Hoke Smith, another distinguished

relative, adorned the mantel.

     Then my eye caught her family coat of arms and the

diploma given her by the Society of the Daughters of the

Revolution.

     The natural and lawful pride that comes with a tincture

of blue and brave blood, is perhaps one of her characteris-

tics, as is many another well-born woman's. She had a

long list of worthy ancestors in Colonial and Revolutionary

days, and the McNeils and General Knox figure largely in

her genealogy, as well as the hero who killed the ill-starred

Paugus.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 49

 

     This big, sunny room which Mrs. Eddy calls her den —

or sometimes "Mother's room," when speaking of her

many followers who consider her their spiritual Leader —

has the air of hospitality that marks its hostess herself.

Mrs. Eddy has hung its walls with reproductions of some

of Europe's masterpieces, a few of which had been the

gifts of her loving pupils.

     Looking down from the windows upon the tree-tops

on the lower terrace, the reporter exclaimed: "You have

lived here only four years, and yet from a barren waste

of most unpromising ground has come forth all this

beauty!"

    "Four years!" she ejaculated; "two and a half, only

two and a half years." Then, touching my sleeve and

pointing, she continued: "Look at those big elms! I had

them brought here in warm weather, almost as big as they

are now, and not one died."

    Mrs. Eddy talked earnestly of her friendships. . . .

She told something of her domestic arrangements, of how

she had long wished to get away from her busy career in

Boston, and return to her native granite hills, there to

build a substantial home that should do honor to that

precinct of Concord.

    She chose the stubbly old farm on the road from Con-

cord, within one mile of the "Eton of America," St. Paul's

School. Once bought, the will of the woman set at work,

and to-day a strikingly well-kept estate is the first impres-

sion given to the visitor as he approaches Pleasant View.

    She employs a number of men to keep the grounds and

farm in perfect order, and it was pleasing to learn that this

 

50 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

rich woman is using her money to promote the welfare of

industrious workmen, in whom she takes a vital interest.

     Mrs. Eddy believes that "the laborer is worthy of his

hire," and, moreover, that he deserves to have a home and

family of his own. Indeed, one of her motives in buying

so large an estate was that she might do something for the

toilers, and thus add her influence toward the advancement

of better home life and citizenship.

_______

 

[Boston Transcript, December 31, 1894]

[Extract]

 

     The growth of Christian Science is properly marked by

the erection of a visible house of worship in this city, which

will be dedicated to-morrow. It has cost two hundred

thousand dollars, and no additional sums outside of the

subscriptions are asked for. This particular phase of

religious belief has impressed itself upon a large and in-

creasing number of Christian people, who have been

tempted to examine its principles, and doubtless have been

comforted and strengthened by them. Any new move-

ment will awaken some sort of interest. There are many

who have worn off the novelty and are thoroughly carried

away with the requirements, simple and direct as they are,

of Christian Science. The opposition against it from the

so-called orthodox religious bodies keeps up a while, but

after a little skirmishing, finally subsides. No one religious

body holds the whole of truth, and whatever is likely to

show even some one side of it will gain followers and live

down any attempted repression.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 51

 

     Christian Science does not strike all as a system of truth.

If it did, it would be a prodigy. Neither does the Christian

faith produce the same impressions upon all. Freedom to

believe or to dissent is a great privilege in these days. So

when a number of conscientious followers apply themselves

to a matter like Christian Science, they are enjoying that

liberty which is their inherent right as human beings, and

though they cannot escape censure, yet they are to be

numbered among the many pioneers who are searching

after religious truth. There is really nothing settled.

Every truth is more or less in a state of agitation. The

many who have worked in the mine of knowledge are glad

to welcome others who have different methods, and with

them bring different ideas.

     It is too early to predict where this movement will go,

and how greatly it will affect the well-established methods.

That it has produced a sensation in religious circles, and

called forth the implements of theological warfare, is very

well known. While it has done this, it may, on the other

hand, have brought a benefit. Ere this many a new project

in religious belief has stirred up feeling, but as time has

gone on, compromises have been welcomed.

     The erection of this temple will doubtless help on the

growth of its principles. Pilgrims from everywhere will go

there in search of truth, and some may be satisfied and some

will not. Christian Science cannot absorb the world's

thought. It may get the share of attention it deserves, but

it can only aspire to take its place alongside other great

demonstrations of religious belief which have done some-

thing good for the sake of humanity.

 

52 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

     Wonders will never cease. Here is a church whose

treasurer has to send 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 practical Christian folk have not a

faith approximate to that of these "impractical" Christian

Scientists.

_______

 

[Jackson Patriot, Jackson, Mich., January 20, 1895]

[Extract]

 

Christian Science

 

     The erection of a massive temple in Boston by Christian

Scientists, at a cost of over two hundred thousand dollars,

love-offerings of the disciples of Mary Baker Eddy, reviver

of the ancient faith and author of the textbook from which,

with the New Testament at the foundation, believers

receive light, health, and strength, is evidence of the rapid

growth of the new movement. We call it new. It is not.

The name Christian Science alone is new. At the begin-

ning of Christianity it was taught and practised by Jesus

and his disciples. The Master was the great healer. But

the wave of materialism and bigotry that swept over the

world for fifteen centuries, covering it with the blackness

of the Dark Ages, nearly obliterated all vital belief in his

teachings. The Bible was a sealed book. Recently a

revived belief in what he taught is manifest, and Christian

Science is one result. No new doctrine is proclaimed, but

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 53

 

there is the fresh development of a Principle that was put

into practice by the Founder of Christianity nineteen hun-

dred years ago, though practised in other countries at an

earlier date. "The thing that hath been, it is that which

shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be

done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

     The condition which Jesus of Nazareth, on various

occasions during the three years of his ministry on earth,

declared to be essential, in the mind of both healer and

patient, is contained in the one word — faith. Can drugs

suddenly cure leprosy? When the ten lepers were cleansed

and one returned to give thanks in Oriental phrase, Jesus

said to him: "Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee

whole." That was Christian Science. In his "Law of

Psychic Phenomena" Hudson says: "That word, more

than any other, expresses the whole law of human felicity

and power in this world, and of salvation in the world to

come. It is that attribute of mind which elevates man

above the level of the brute, and gives dominion over the

physical world. It is the essential element of success in

every field of human endeavor. It constitutes the power

of the human soul. When Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed

its potency from the hilltops of Palestine, he gave to man-

kind the key to health and heaven, and earned the title

of Saviour of the World.'' Whittier, grandest of mystic

poets, saw the truth: —

 

That healing gift he lends to them

     Who use it in his name;

The power that filled his garment's hem

     Is evermore the same.

 

54 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

     Again, in a poem entitled "The Master," he wrote: —

 

The healing of his seamless dress

     Is by our beds of pain;

We touch him in life's throng and press;

     And we are whole again. [1]

 

     That Jesus operated in perfect harmony with natural

law, not in defiance, suppression, or violation of it, we can-

not doubt. The perfectly natural is the perfectly spiritual.

Jesus enunciated and exemplified the Principle; and,

obviously, the conditions requisite in psychic healing

to-day are the same as were necessary in apostolic times.

We accept the statement of Hudson: "There was no law

of nature violated or transcended. On the contrary, the

whole transaction was in perfect obedience to the laws of

nature. He understood the law perfectly, as no one before

him understood it; and in the plenitude of his power he

applied it where the greatest good could be accomplished."

A careful reading of the accounts of his healings, in the

light of modern science, shows that he observed, in his

practice of mental therapeutics, the conditions of environ-

ment and harmonious influence that are essential to success.

In the case of Jairus' daughter they are fully set forth.

He kept the unbelievers away, "put them all out," and

permitting only the father and mother, with his closest

friends and followers, Peter, James, and John, in the

chamber with him, and having thus the most perfect

obtainable environment, he raised the daughter to life.

 

[1] Note: — About 1868, the author of Science and Health healed

Mr. Whittier with one visit, at his home in Amesbury, of incipient

pulmonary consumption. — M. B. Eddy.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 55

 

"Not in blind caprice of will,

Not in cunning sleight of skill,

Not for show of power, was wrought

Nature's marvel in thy thought."

 

     In a previous article we have referred to cyclic changes

that came during the last quarter of preceding centuries.

Of our remarkable nineteenth century not the least event-

ful circumstance is the advent of Christian Science.

That it should be the work of a woman is the natural out-

come of a period notable for her emancipation from many

of the thraldoms, prejudices, and oppressions of the past.

We do not, therefore, regard it as a mere coincidence that

the first edition of Mrs. Eddy's Science and Health should

have been published in 1875. Since then she has revised

it many times, and the ninety-first edition is announced.

Her discovery was first called, "The Science of Divine

Metaphysical Healing.'' Afterward she selected the name

Christian Science. It is based upon what is held to be

scientific certainty, namely, — that all causation is of

Mind, every effect has its origin in desire and thought.

The theology — if we may use the word — of Christian

Science is contained in the volume entitled "Science and

Health with Key to the Scriptures."

     The present Boston congregation was organized

April 19, 1879, and has now over four thousand members.

It is regarded as the parent organization, all others being

branches, though each is entirely independent in the

management of its own affairs. Truth is the sole recognized

authority. Of actual members of different congregations

there are between one hundred thousand and two hundred

 

56 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

thousand. One or more organized societies have sprung

up in New York, Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincin-

nati, Philadelphia, Detroit, Toledo, Milwaukee, Madison,

Scranton, Peoria, Atlanta, Toronto, and nearly every other

centre of population, besides a large and growing number

of receivers of the faith among the members of all the

churches and non-church-going people. In some churches

a majority of the members are Christian Scientists, and, as

a rule, are the most intelligent.

     Space does not admit of an elaborate presentation on the

occasion of the erection of the temple, in Boston, the

dedication taking place on the 6th of January, of one of

the most remarkable, helpful, and powerful movements

of the last quarter of the century. Christian Science

has brought hope and comfort to many weary souls. It

makes people better and happier. Welding Christianity

and Science, hitherto divorced because dogma and truth

could not unite, was a happy inspiration.

 

''And still we love the evil cause,

     And of the just effect complain;

We tread upon life's broken laws,

     And mourn our self-inflicted pain."

_______

 

[The Outlook, New York, January 19, 1895]

 

A Christian Science Church

 

     A great Christian Science church was dedicated in Bos-

ton on Sunday, the 6th inst. It is located at Norway and

Falmouth Streets, and is intended to be a testimonial to

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 57

 

the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, the

Rev. Mary Baker Eddy. The building is fire-proof, and

cost over two hundred thousand dollars. It is entirely

paid for, and contributions for its erection came from every

State in the Union, and from many lands. The auditorium

is said to seat between fourteen and fifteen hundred, and

was thronged at the four services on the day of dedication.

The sermon, prepared by Mrs. Eddy, was read by Mrs.

Bemis. It rehearsed the significance of the building, and

reenunciated the truths which will find emphasis there.

From the description we judge that it is one of the most

beautiful buildings in Boston, and, indeed, in all New

England. Whatever may be thought of the peculiar tenets

of the Christian Scientists, and whatever difference of

opinion there may be concerning the organization of such

a church, there can be no question but that the adherents

of this church have proved their faith by their works.

_______

 

[American Art Journal, New York, January 26, 1895]

 

"Our Prayer in Stone"

 

     Such is the excellent name given to a new Boston church.

Few people outside its own circles realize how extensive is

the belief in Christian Science. There are several sects of

mental healers, but this new edifice on Back Bay, just off

Huntington Avenue, not far from the big Mechanics

Building and the proposed site of the new Music Hall,

belongs to the followers of Rev. Mary Baker Glover Eddy,

a lady born of an old New Hampshire family, who, after

 

58 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

many vicissitudes, found herself in Lynn, Mass., healed by

the power of divine Mind, and thereupon devoted herself

to imparting this faith to her fellow-beings. Coming to

Boston about 1880, she began teaching, gathered an

association of students, and organized a church. For

several years past she has lived in Concord, N. H., near

her birthplace, owning a beautiful estate called Pleasant

View; but thousands of believers throughout this country

have joined The Mother Church in Boston, and have now

erected this edifice at a cost of over two hundred thousand

dollars, every bill being paid.

     Its appearance is shown in the pictures we are permitted

to publish. In the belfry is a set of tubular chimes. Inside

is a basement room, capable of division into seven excellent

class-rooms, by the use of movable partitions. The main

auditorium has wide galleries, and will seat over a thousand

in its exceedingly comfortable pews. Scarcely any wood-

work is to be found. The floors are all mosaic, the steps

marble, and the walls stone. It is rather dark, often too

much so for comfortable reading, as all the windows are of

colored glass, with pictures symbolic of the tenets of the

organization. In the ceiling is a beautiful sunburst window.

Adjoining the chancel is a pastor's study; but for an

indefinite time their prime instructor has ordained that the

only pastor shall be the Bible, with her book, called

"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." In the

tower is a room devoted to her, and called "Mother's

Room," furnished with all conveniences for living, should

she wish to make it a home by day or night. Therein is

a portrait of her in stained glass; and an electric light,

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 59

 

behind an antique lamp, kept perpetually burning in her

honor; though she has not yet visited her temple, which

was dedicated on New Year's Sunday in a somewhat novel

way.

     There was no special sentence or prayer of consecration,

but continuous services were held from nine to four o'clock,

every hour and a half, so long as there were attendants;

and some people heard these exercises four times repeated.

The printed program was for some reason not followed,

certain hymns and psalms being omitted. There was sing-

ing by a choir and congregation. The Pater Noster was

repeated in the way peculiar to Christian Scientists, the

congregation repeating one sentence and the leader re-

sponding with its parallel interpretation by Mrs. Eddy.

Antiphonal paragraphs were read from the book of

Revelation and her work respectively. The sermon,

prepared by Mrs. Eddy, was well adapted for its purpose,

and read by a professional elocutionist, not an adherent of

the order, Mrs. Henrietta Clark Bemis, in a clear emphatic

style. The solo singer, however, was a Scientist, Miss Elsie

Lincoln; and on the platform sat Joseph Armstrong,

formerly of Kansas, and now the business manager of the

Publishing Society, with the other members of the Christian

Science Board of Directors — Ira O. Knapp, Edward P.

Bates, Stephen A. Chase, — gentlemen officially connected

with the movement. The children of believing families

collected the money for the Mother's Room, and seats were

especially set apart for them at the second dedicatory

service. Before one service was over and the auditors left

by the rear doors, the front vestibule and street (despite

 

60 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

the snowstorm) were crowded with others, waiting for

admission.

     On the next Sunday the new order of service went

into operation. There was no address of any sort, no

notices, no explanation of Bible or their textbook. Judge

Hanna, who was a Colorado lawyer before coming into

this work, presided, reading in clear, manly, and intelli-

gent tones, the Quarterly Bible Lesson, which happened

that day to be on Jesus' miracle of loaves and fishes.

Each paragraph he supplemented first with illustrative

Scripture parallels, as set down for him, and then by pas-

sages selected for him from Mrs. Eddy's book. The place

was again crowded, many having remained over a week

from among the thousands of adherents who had come

to Boston for this auspicious occasion from all parts of

the country. The organ, made by Farrand & Votey in

Detroit, at a cost of eleven thousand dollars, is the gift of

a wealthy Universalist gentleman, but was not ready for

the opening. It is to fill the recess behind the spacious

platform, and is described as containing pneumatic wind-

chests throughout, and having an Æolian attachment.

It is of three-manual compass, C. C. C. to C. 4, 61 notes;

and pedal compass, C. C. C. to F. 30. The great organ

has double open diapason (stopped bass), open diapason,

dulciana, viola di gamba, doppel flute, hohl flute, octave,

octave quint, superoctave, and trumpet, — 61 pipes each.

The swell organ has bourdon, open diapason, salicional,

æoline, stopped diapason, gemshorn, flute harmonique,

flageolet, cornet — 3 ranks, 183, — cornopean, oboe, vox

humana — 61 pipes each. The choir organ, enclosed in

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 61

 

separate swell-box, has geigen principal, dolce, concert

flute, quintadena, fugara, flute d'amour, piccolo harmo-

nique, clarinet, — 61 pipes each. The pedal organ has

open diapason, bourdon, lieblich gedeckt (from stop 10),

violoncello-wood, — 30 pipes each. Couplers: swell to

great; choir to great; swell to choir; swell to great oc-

taves, swell to great sub-octaves; choir to great sub-

octaves; swell octaves; swell to pedal; great to pedal;

choir to pedal. Mechanical accessories: swell tremulant,

choir tremulant, bellows signal; wind indicator. Pedal

movements: three affecting great and pedal stops, three

affecting swell and pedal stops; great to pedal reversing

pedal; crescendo and full organ pedal; balanced great

and choir pedal; balanced swell pedal.

     Beautiful suggestions greet you in every part of this

unique church, which is practical as well as poetic, and

justifies the name given by Mrs. Eddy, which stands at

the head of this sketch. J. H. W.

_______

 

[Boston Journal, January 7, 1895]

Chimes Rang Sweetly

 

     Much admiration was expressed by all those fortunate

enough to listen to the first peal of the chimes in the tower

of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, corner of Fal-

mouth and Norway Streets, dedicated yesterday. The

sweet, musical tones attracted quite a throng of people,

who listened with delight.

     The chimes were made by the United States Tubular

 

62 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

Bell Company, of Methuen, Mass., and are something

of a novelty in this country, though for some time well

and favorably known in the Old Country, especially in

England.

     They are a substitution of tubes of drawn brass for the

heavy cast bells of old-fashioned chimes. They have the

advantage of great economy of space, as well as of cost, a

chime of fifteen bells occupying a space not more than

five by eight feet.

     Where the old-fashioned chimes required a strong man

to ring them, these can be rung from an electric keyboard,

and even when rung by hand require but little muscular

power to manipulate them and call forth all the purity

and sweetness of their tones. The quality of tone is some-

thing superb, being rich and mellow. The tubes are care-

fully tuned, so that the harmony is perfect. They have

all the beauties of a great cathedral chime, with infinitely

less expense.

     There is practically no limit to the uses to which these

bells may be put. They can be called into requisition in

theatres, concert halls, and public buildings, as they range

in all sizes, from those described down to little sets of

silver bells that might be placed on a small centre table.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 63

 

[The Republic, Washington, D. C, February 2, 1895]

[Extract]

 

Christian Science

 

Mary Baker Eddy the "Mother'' of the Idea — She Has an

Immense Following Throughout the United States, and

A Church Costing $250,000 Was Recently Built in Her

Honor at Boston

 

     "My faith has the strength to nourish trees as well as

souls," was the remark Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the

"Mother" of Christian Science, made recently as she

pointed to a number of large elms that shade her delight-

ful country home in Concord, N. H. " I had them brought

here in warm weather, almost as big as they are now, and

not one died." This is a remarkable statement, but it is

made by a remarkable woman, who has originated a new

phase of religious belief, and who numbers over one hun-

dred thousand intelligent people among her devoted

followers.

     The great hold she has upon this army was demon-

strated in a very tangible and material manner recently,

when "The First Church of Christ, Scientist," erected at

a cost of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, was

dedicated in Boston. This handsome edifice was paid

for before it was begun, by the voluntary contributions of

Christian Scientists all over the country, and a tablet im-

bedded in its wall declares that it was built as "a testi-

monial to our beloved teacher, Rev. Mary Baker Eddy,

 

64 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, author of

its textbook, 'Science and Health with Key to the Scrip-

tures,' president of the Massachusetts Metaphysical Col-

lege, and the first pastor of this denomination."

     There is usually considerable difficulty in securing suffi-

cient funds for the building of a new church, but such was

not the experience of Rev. Mary Baker Eddy. Money

came freely from all parts of the United States. Men,

women, and children contributed, some giving a pittance,

others donating large sums. When the necessary amount

was raised, the custodian of the funds was compelled to

refuse further contributions, in order to stop the continued

inflow of money from enthusiastic Christian Scientists.

     Mrs. Eddy says she discovered Christian Science in

1866. She studied the Scriptures and the sciences, she

declares, in a search for the great curative Principle. She

investigated allopathy, homoeopathy, and electricity, with-

out finding a clew; and modern philosophy gave her no

distinct statement of the Science of Mind-healing. After

careful study she became convinced that the curative

Principle was the Deity.

_______

 

[New York Tribune, February 7, 1895]

[Extract]

 

     Boston has just dedicated the first church of the Chris-

tian Scientists, in commemoration of the Founder of that

sect, the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, drawing together six

thousand people to participate in the ceremonies, showing

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 65

 

that belief in that curious creed is not confined to its

original apostles and promulgators, but that it has pene-

trated what is called the New England mind to an un-

looked-for extent. In inviting the Eastern churches and

the Anglican fold to unity with Rome, the Holy Father

should not overlook the Boston sect of Christian Scientists,

which is rather small and new, to be sure, but is undoubt-

edly an interesting faith and may have a future before it,

whatever attitude Rome may assume toward it.

_______

 

[Journal, Kansas City, Mo., January 10, 1895]

[Extract]

 

Growth of a Faith

 

     Attention is directed to the progress which has been

made by what is called Christian Science by the dedication

at Boston of ''The First Church of Christ, Scientist."

It is a most beautiful structure of gray granite, and its

builders call it their "prayer in stone,'' which suggests

to recollection the story of the cathedral of Amiens, whose

architectural construction and arrangement of statuary

and paintings made it to be called the Bible of that city.

The Frankish church was reared upon the spot where, in

pagan times, one bitter winter day, a Roman soldier parted

his mantle with his sword and gave half of the garment to

a naked beggar; and so was memorialized in art and

stone what was called the divine spirit of giving, whose un-

believing exemplar afterward became a saint. The Boston

church similarly expresses the faith of those who believe

 

66 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

in what they term the divine art of healing, which, to their

minds, exists as much to-day as it did when Christ healed

the sick.

     The first church organization of this faith was founded

fifteen years ago with a membership of only twenty-six,

and since then the number of believers has grown with

remarkable rapidity, until now there are societies in every

part of the country. This growth, it is said, proceeds

more from the graveyards than from conversions from

other churches, for most of those who embrace the faith

claim to have been rescued from death miraculously under

the injunction to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise

the dead, cast out demons." They hold with strict fidelity

to what they conceive to be the literal teachings of the

Bible as expressed in its poetical and highly figurative

language.

     Altogether the belief and service are well suited to

satisfy a taste for the mystical which, along many lines, has

shown an uncommon development in this country during

the last decade, and which is largely Oriental in its choice.

Such a rapid departure from long respected views as is

marked by the dedication of this church, and others of

kindred meaning, may reasonably excite wonder as to

how radical is to be this encroachment upon prevailing

faiths, and whether some of the pre-Christian ideas of

the Asiatics are eventually to supplant those in company

with which our civilization has developed.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 67

 

[Montreal Daily Herald, Saturday, February 2, 1895]

[Extract]

 

Christian Science

Sketch of Its Origin and Growth — The Montreal Branch

 

     "If you would found a new faith, go to Boston," has

been said by a great American writer. This is no idle

word, but a fact borne out by circumstances. Boston can

fairly claim to be the hub of the logical universe, and an

accurate census of the religious faiths which are to be

found there to-day would probably show a greater number

of them than even Max O'Rell's famous enumeration of

John Bull's creeds.

     Christian Science, or the Principle of divine healing,

is one of those movements which seek to give expression

to a higher spirituality. Founded twenty-five years ago,

it was still practically unknown a decade since, but to-day

it numbers over a quarter of a million of believers, the

majority of whom are in the United States, and is rapidly

growing. In Canada, also, there is a large number of

members. Toronto and Montreal have strong churches,

comparatively, while in many towns and villages single

believers or little knots of them are to be found.

     It was exactly one hundred years from the date of the

Declaration of Independence, when on July 4, 1876, the

first Christian Scientist Association was organized by

seven persons, of whom the foremost was Mrs. Eddy.

The church was founded in April, 1879, with twenty-six

members, and a charter was obtained two months later.

 

68 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

Mrs. Eddy assumed the pastorship of the church during

its early years, and in 1881 was ordained^ being now known

as the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.

     The Massachusetts Metaphysical College was founded

by Mrs. Eddy in 1881, and here she taught the principles

of the faith for nine years. Students came to it in hun-

dreds from all parts of the world, and many are now pastors

or in practice. The college was closed in 1889, as Mrs.

Eddy felt it necessary for the interests of her religious work

to retire from active contact with the world. She now

lives in a beautiful country residence in her native State.

_______

 

[The American, Baltimore, IMd., January 14, 1895]

[Extract]

 

Mrs. Eddy's Disciples

 

     It is not generally known that a Christian Science con-

gregation was organized in this city about a year ago. It

now holds regular services in the parlor of the residence

of the pastor, at 1414 Linden Avenue. The dedication in

Boston last Sunday of the Christian Science church, called

The Mother Church, which cost over two hundred thou-

sand dollars, adds interest to the Baltimore organization.

There are many other church edifices in the United States

owned by Christian Scientists. Christian Science was

founded by Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy. The Baltimore con-

gregation was organized at a meeting held at the present

location on February 27, 1894.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 69

 

     Dr. Hammond, the pastor, came to Baltimore about

three years ago to organize this movement. Miss Cross

came from Syracuse, N. Y., about eighteen months ago.

Both were under the instruction of Mrs. Mary Baker

Eddy, the Founder of the movement.

     Dr. Hammond says he was converted to Christian Sci-

ence by being cured by Mrs. Eddy of a physical ailment

some twelve years ago, after several doctors had pronounced

his case incurable. He says they use no medicines, but

rely on Mind for cure, believing that disease comes from

evil and sick-producing thoughts, and that, if they can so

fill the mind with good thoughts as to leave no room there

for the bad, they can work a cure. He distinguishes Chris-

tian Science from the faith-cure, and added: "This Chris-

tian Science really is a return to the ideas of primitive

Christianity. It would take a small book to explain fully

all about it, but I may say that the fundamental idea is that

God is Mind, and we interpret the Scriptures wholly from

the spiritual or metaphysical standpoint. We find in this

view of the Bible the power fully developed to heal the

sick. It is not faith-cure, but it is an acknowledgment of

certain Christian and scientific laws, and to work a cure the

practitioner must understand these laws aright. The

patient may gain a better understanding than the Church

has had in the past. All churches have prayed for the cure

of disease, but they have not done so in an intelligent man-

ner, understanding and demonstrating the Christ-healing."

 

70 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

[The Reporter, Lebanon, Ind., January 18, 1895]

[Extract]

 

Discovered Christian Science

 

Remarkable Career of Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, Who Has

Over One Hundred Thousand Followers

 

Rev. Mary Balder Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of

Christian Science, author of its textbook, "Science and

Health with Key to the Scriptures," president of the Mas-

sachusetts Metaphysical College, and first pastor of the

Christian Science denomination, is without doubt one of

the most remarkable women in America. She has within a

few years founded a sect that has over one hundred thou-

sand converts, and very recently saw completed in Boston,

as a testimonial to her labors, a handsome fire-proof church

that cost two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and was

paid for by Christian Scientists all over the country.

     Mrs. Eddy asserts that in 1866 she became certain that

"all causation was Mind, and every effect a mental phe-

nomenon." Taking her text from the Bible, she endeav-

ored in vain to find the great curative Principle — the Deity

— in philosophy and schools of medicine, and she con-

cluded that the way of salvation demonstrated by Jesus

was the power of Truth over all error, sin, sickness, and

death. Thus originated the divine or spiritual Science of

Mind-healing, which she termed Christian Science. She

has a palatial home in Boston and a country-seat in

Concord, N. H. The Christian Science Church has a

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 71

 

membership of four thousand, and eight hundred of the

members are Bostonians.

_______

 

[N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, January 9, 1895]

 

     The idea that Christian Science has declined in popu-

larity is not borne out by the voluntary contribution of a

quarter of a million dollars for a memorial church for Mrs.

Eddy, the inventor of this cure. The money comes from

Christian Science believers exclusively.

_______

 

[The Post, Syracuse, New York, February 1, 1895]

 

Do Not Believe She Was Deified

 

Christian Scientists of Syracuse Surprised at the News

About Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, Founder of the Faith

 

     Christian Scientists in this city, and in fact all over the

country, have been startled and greatly discomfited over

the announcements in New York papers that Mrs. Mary

Baker G. Eddy, the acknowledged Christian Science

Leader, has been exalted by various dignitaries of the

faith. . . .

     It is well known that Mrs. Eddy has resigned herself

completely to the study and foundation of the faith to which

many thousands throughout the United States are now so

entirely devoted. By her followers and cobelievers she is

unquestionably looked upon as having a divine mission to

 

72 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

fulfil, and as though inspired in her great task by super-

natural power.

     For the purpose of learning the feeling of Scientists in this

city toward the reported deification of Mrs. Eddy, a Post

reporter called upon a few of the leading members of the

faith yesterday and had a number of very interesting con-

versations upon the subject.

     Mrs. D. W. Copeland of University Avenue was one of

the first to be seen. Mrs. Copeland is a very pleasant and

agreeable lady, ready to converse, and evidently very much

absorbed in the work to which she has given so much of

her attention. Mrs. Copeland claims to have been healed

a number of years ago by Christian Scientists, after she

had practically been given up by a number of well-known

physicians.

     "And for the past eleven years," said Mrs. Copeland,

"I have not taken any medicine or drugs of any kind, and

yet have been perfectly well.''

     In regard to Mrs. Eddy, Mrs. Copeland said that she

was the Founder of the faith, but that she had never

claimed, nor did she believe that Mrs. Lathrop had, that

Mrs. Eddy had any power other than that which came

from God and through faith in Him and His teachings.

     "The power of Christ has been dormant in mankind for

ages,'' added the speaker, "and it was Mrs. Eddy's mission

to revive it. In our labors we take Christ as an example,

going about doing good and healing the sick. Christ has

told us to do his work, naming as one great essential that

we have faith in him.

     "Did you ever hear of Jesus' taking medicine himself, or

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 73

 

giving it to others?" inquired the speaker. "Then why-

should we worry ourselves about sickness and disease?

If we become sick, God will care for us, and will send to

us those who have faith, who believe in His unlimited and

divine power. Mrs. Eddy was strictly an ardent follower

after God. She had faith in Him, and she cured herself of

a deathly disease through the mediation of her God. Then

she secluded herself from the world for three years and

studied and meditated over His divine Word. She delved

deep into the Biblical passages, and at the end of the period

came from her seclusion one of the greatest Biblical schol-

ars of the age. Her mission was then the mission of a

Christian, to do good and heal the sick, and this duty she

faithfully performed. She of herself had no power. But

God has fulfilled His promises to her and to the world.

If you have faith, you can move mountains."

     Mrs. Henrietta N. Cole is also a very prominent member

of the church. When seen yesterday she emphasized her-

self as being of the same theory as Mrs. Copeland. Mrs.

Cole has made a careful and searching study in the beliefs

of Scientists, and is perfectly versed in all their beliefs and

doctrines. She stated that man of himself has no power,

but that all comes from God. She placed no credit what-

ever in the reports from New York that Mrs. Eddy has

been accredited as having been deified. She referred the

reporter to the large volume which Mrs. Eddy had herself

written, and said that no more complete and yet concise

idea of her belief could be obtained than by a perusal of it.

 

74 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

[New York Herald, February 6, 1895]

Mrs. Eddy Shocked

 

[By Telegraph to the Herald]

 

     Concord, N. H., February 4, 1895. — The article pub-

lished in the Herald on January 29, regarding a statement

made by Mrs. Laura Lathrop, pastor of the Christian Sci-

ence congregation that meets every Sunday in Hodgson

Hall, New York, was shown to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy,

the Christian Science "Discoverer," to-day.

     Mrs. Eddy preferred to prepare a written answer to the

interrogatory, which she did in this letter, addressed to the

editor of the Herald: —

 

     "A despatch is given me, calling for an interview to an-

swer for myself, 'Am I the second Christ?'

     "Even the question shocks me. What I am is for God

to declare in His infinite mercy. As it is, I claim nothing

more than what I am, the Discoverer and Founder of

Christian Science, and the blessing it has been to mankind

which eternity enfolds.

     "I think Mrs. Lathrop was not understood. If she said

aught with intention to be thus understood, it is not what

I have taught her, and not at all as I have heard her talk.

     "My books and teachings maintain but one conclusion

and statement of the Christ and the deification of mortals.

     "Christ is individual, and one with God, in the sense

of divine Love and its compound divine ideal.

     "There was, is, and never can be but one God, one

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 75

 

Christ, one Jesus of Nazareth. Whoever in any age ex-

presses most of the spirit of Truth and Love, the Principle

of God's idea, has most of the spirit of Christ, of that Mind

which was in Christ Jesus.

     "If Christian Scientists find in my writings, teachings,

and example a greater degree of this spirit than in others,

they can justly declare it. But to think or speak of me in

any manner as a Christ, is sacrilegious. Such a statement

would not only be false, but the absolute antipode of Chris-

tian Science, and would savor more of heathenism than of

my doctrines.

 

''Mary Baker Eddy."

_______

 

[The Globe, Toronto, Canada, January 12, 1895]

[Extract]

 

Christian Scientists

 

Dedication to the Founder of the Order of a Beautiful

Church at Boston — Many Toronto Scientists Present

 

     The Christian Scientists of Toronto, to the number of

thirty, took part in the ceremonies at Boston last Sunday

and for the day or two following, by which the members

of that faith all over North America celebrated the dedica-

tion of the church constructed in the great New England

capital as a testimonial to the Discoverer and Founder of

Christian Science, Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.

     The temple is believed to be the most nearly fire-proof

church structure on the continent, the only combustible

 

76 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

material used in its construction being that used in the

doors and pews. A striking feature of the church is a

beautiful apartment known as the "Mother's Room,"

which is approached through a superb archway of Italian

marble set in the wall. The furnishing of the "Mother's

Room" is described as "particularly beautiful, and blends

harmoniously with the pale green and gold decoration of the

walls. The floor is of mosaic in elegant designs, and two

alcoves are separated from the apartment by rich hangings

of deep green plush, which in certain lights has a shimmer

of silver. The furniture frames are of white mahogany

in special designs, elaborately carved, and the upholstery

is in white and gold tapestry. A superb mantel of Mexican

onyx with gold decoration adorns the south wall, and before

the hearth is a large rug composed entirely of skins of the

eider-down duck, brought from the Arctic regions. Pic-

tures and bric-a-brac everywhere suggest the tribute of

loving friends. One of the two alcoves is a retiring-room

and the other a lavatory in which the plumbing is all

heavily plated with gold."

_______

 

[Evening Monitor, Concord, N. H., February 27, 1895]

 

An Elegant Souvenir

 

Rev. Mary Baker Eddy Memorialized By a Christian

Science Church

 

     Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer of Christian Science,

has received from the members of The First Church of

Christ, Scientist, Boston, an invitation formally to accept

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 77

 

the magnificent new edifice of worship which the church

has just erected.

     The invitation itself is one of the most chastely elegant

memorials ever prepared, and is a scroll of solid gold,

suitably engraved, and encased in a handsome plush

casket with white silk linings. Attached to the scroll is a

golden key of the church structure.

     The inscription reads thus: —

 

     Dear Mother: — During the year eighteen hundred and

ninety-four a church edifice was erected at the intersection

of Falmouth and Norway Streets, in the city of Boston,

by the loving hands of four thousand members. This

edifice is built as a testimonial to Truth, as revealed by

divine Love through you to this age. You are hereby

most lovingly invited to visit and formally accept this

testimonial on the twentieth day of February, eighteen

hundred and ninety-five, at high noon.

"The First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Boston, Mass.

''By Edward P. Bates,

"Caroline S. Bates.

"To the Reverend Mary Baker Eddy,

"Boston, January 6th, 1895.''

_______

 

[People and Patriot, Concord, N. H., February 27, 1895]

 

Magnificent Testimonial

 

     Members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, at

Boston, have forwarded to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy of

 

78 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

this city, the Founder of Christian Science, a testimonial

which is probably one of the most magnificent examples

of the goldsmith's art ever wrought in this country. It is

in the form of a gold scroll, twenty-six inches long, nine

inches wide, and an eighth of an inch thick.

     It bears upon its face the following inscription, cut in

script letters: —

     ''Dear Mother: — During the year 1894 a church edi-

fice was erected at the intersection of Falmouth and Nor-

way Streets, in the city of Boston, by the loving hands of

four thousand members. This edifice is built as a testi-

monial to Truth, as revealed by divine Love through you

to this age. You are hereby most lovingly invited to visit

and formally accept this testimonial on the 20th day of

February, 1895, at high noon.

"The First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Boston, Mass.

"By Edward P. Bates,

"Caroline S. Bates.

''To the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy,

"Boston, January 6, 1895.''

 

     Attached by a white ribbon to the scroll is a gold key

to the church door.

     The testimonial is encased in a white satin-lined box

of rich green velvet.

     The scroll is on exhibition in the window of J. C.

Derby's jewelry store.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 79

 

[The Union Signal, Chicago]

[Extract]

 

The New Woman and the New Church

 

     The dedication, in Boston, of a Christian Science temple

costing over two hundred thousand dollars, and for which

the money was all paid in so that no debt had to be taken

care of on dedication day, is a notable event. While we

are not, and never have been, devotees of Christian Science,

it becomes us as students of public questions not to ignore

a movement which, starting fifteen years ago, has already

gained to itself adherents in every part of the civilized

world, for it is a significant fact that one cannot take up

a daily paper in town or village — to say nothing of cities —

without seeing notices of Christian Science meetings, and

in most instances they are held at "headquarters."

     We believe there are two reasons for this remarkable

development, which has shown a vitality so unexpected.

The first is that a revolt was inevitable from the crass

materialism of the cruder science that had taken posses-

sion of men's minds, for as a wicked but witty writer has

said, "If there were no God, we should be obliged to in-

vent one." There is something in the constitution of

man that requires the religious sentiment as much as his

lungs call for breath; indeed, the breath of his soul is a

belief in God.

     But when Christian Science arose, the thought of the

world's scientific leaders had become materialistically

"lopsided," and this condition can never long continue.

 

80 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

There must be a righting-up of the mind as surely as of a

ship when under stress of storm it is ready to capsize. The

pendulum that has swung to one extreme will surely find

the other. The religious sentiment in women is so strong

that the revolt was headed by them; this was inevitable

in the nature of the case. It began in the most intellectual

city of the freest country in the world — that is to say,

it sought the line of least resistance. Boston is emphati-

cally the women's paradise, — numerically, socially, in-

deed every way. Here they have the largest individuality,

the most recognition, the widest outlook. Mrs. Eddy we

have never seen; her book has many a time been sent

us by interested friends, and out of respect to them we

have fairly broken our mental teeth over its granitic peb-

bles. That we could not understand it might be rather

to the credit of the book than otherwise. On this subject

we have no opinion to pronounce, but simply state the

fact.

     We do not, therefore, speak of the system it sets forth,

either to praise or blame, but this much is true: the spirit

of Christian Science ideas has caused an army of well-mean-

ing people to believe in God and the power of faith, who

did not believe in them before. It has made a myriad of

women more thoughtful and devout; it has brought a

hopeful spirit into the homes of unnumbered invalids.

The belief that ''thoughts are things,'' that the invisible

is the only real world, that we are here to be trained into

harmony with the laws of God, and that what we are here

determines where we shall be hereafter — all these ideas

are Christian.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 81

 

     The chimes on the Christian Science temple in Boston

played "All hail the power of Jesus' name," on the morn-

ing of the dedication. We did not attend, but we learn

that the name of Christ is nowhere spoken with more

reverence than it was during those services, and that he

is set forth as the power of God for righteousness and the

express image of God for love.

_______

 

[The New Century, Boston, February, 1895]

 

One Point of View — The New Woman

 

     We all know her — she is simply the woman of the past

with an added grace — a newer charm. Some of her

dearest ones call her "selfish" because she thinks so much

of herself she spends her whole time helping others. She

represents the composite beauty, sweetness, and nobility

of all those who scorn self for the sake of love and her

handmaiden duty — of all those who seek the brightness

of truth not as the moth to be destroyed thereby, but as

the lark who soars and sings to the great sun. She is of

those who have so much to give they want no time to take,

and their name is legion. She is as full of beautiful possi-

bilities as a perfect harp, and she realizes that all the har-

monies of the universe are in herself, while her own soul

plays upon magic strings the unwritten anthems of love.

She is the apostle of the true, the beautiful, the good, com-

missioned to complete all that the twelve have left undone.

Hers is the mission of missions — the highest of all — to

 

82 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

make the body not the prison, but the palace of the soul,

with the brain for its great white throne.

     When she comes like the south wind into the cold haunts

of sin and sorrow, her words are smiles and her smiles are

the sunlight which heals the stricken soul. Her hand is

tender — but steel tempered with holy resolve, and as

one whom her love had glorified once said — she is soft

and gentle, but you could no more turn her from her

course than winter could stop the coming of spring. She

has long learned with patience, and to-day she knows

many things dear to the soul far better than her teachers.

In olden times the Jews claimed to be the conservators

of the world's morals — they treated woman as a chattel,

and said that because she was created after man, she was

created solely for man. Too many still are Jews who

never called Abraham "Father," while the Jews them-

selves have long acknowledged woman as man's proper

helpmeet. In those days women had few lawful claims

and no one to urge them. True, there were Miriam and

Esther, but they sang and sacrificed for their people, not

for their sex.

     To-day there are ten thousand Esthers, and Miriams

by the million, who sing best by singing most for their

own sex. They are demanding the right to help make

the laws, or at least to help enforce the laws upon

which depends the welfare of their husbands, their chil-

dren, and themselves. Why should our selfish self longer

remain deaf to their cry? The date is no longer B. C.

Might no longer makes right, and in this fair land at least

fear has ceased to kiss the iron heel of wrong. Why then

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 83

 

should we continue to demand woman's love and woman's

help while we recklessly promise as lover and candidate

what we never fulfil as husband and office-holder? In

our secret heart our better self is shamed and dishonored,

and appeals from Philip drunk to Philip sober, but has

not yet the moral strength and courage to prosecute the

appeal. But the east is rosy, and the sunlight cannot long

be delayed. Woman must not and will not be disheart-

ened by a thousand denials or a million of broken pledges.

With the assurance of faith she prays, with the certainty

of inspiration she works, and with the patience of genius

she waits. At last she is becoming "as fair as the morn,

as bright as the sun, and as terrible as an army with ban-

ners" to those who march under the black flag of oppres-

sion and wield the ruthless sword of injustice.

     In olden times it was the Amazons who conquered the

invincibles, and we must look now to their daughters to

overcome our own allied armies of evil and to save us from

ourselves. She must and will succeed, for as David sang

— ''God shall help her, and that right early," When we

try to praise her later works it is as if we would pour

incense upon the rose. It is the proudest boast of many

of us that we are "bound to her by bonds dearer than free-

dom," and that we live in the reflected royalty which

shines from her brow. We rejoice with her that at last

we begin to know what John on Patmos meant — "And

there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed

with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her

head a crown of twelve stars." She brought to warring

men the Prince of Peace, and he, departing, left his scepter

 

84 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

not in her hand, but in her soul. "The time of times''

is near when "the new woman'' shall subdue the whole

earth with the weapons of peace. Then shall wrong be

robbed of her bitterness and ingratitude of her sting,

revenge shall clasp hands with pity, and love shall dwell

in the tents of hate; while side by side, equal partners in

all that is worth living for, shall stand the new man with

the new woman.

_______

 

[Christian Science Journal, January, 1895]

[Extract]

 

The Mother Church

 

     The Mother Church edifice — The First Church of

Christ, Scientist, in Boston, is erected. The close of the

year, Anno Domini 1894, witnessed the completion of

"our prayer in stone," all predictions and prognostications

to the contrary notwithstanding.

     Of the significance of this achievement we shall not

undertake to speak in this article. It can be better felt

than expressed. All who are awake thereto have some

measure of understanding of what it means. But only

the future will tell the story of its mighty meaning or un-

fold it to the comprehension of mankind. It is enough for

us now to know that all obstacles to its completion have

been met and overcome, and that our temple is completed

as God intended it should be.

     This achievement is the result of long years of untiring,

unselfish, and zealous effort on the part of our beloved

teacher and Leader, the Reverend Mary Baker Eddy,

the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, who

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 85

 

nearly thirty years ago began to lay the foundation of

this temple, and whose devotion and consecration to God

and humanity during the intervening years have made

its erection possible.

     Those who now, in part, understand her mission, turn

their hearts in gratitude to her for her great work, and

those who do not understand it will, in the fulness of time,

see and acknowledge it. In the measure in which she has

unfolded and demonstrated divine Love, and built up in

human consciousness a better and higher conception of

God as Life, Truth, and Love, — as the divine Principle

of all things which really exist, — and in the degree in

which she has demonstrated the system of healing of Jesus

and the apostles, surely she, as the one chosen of God to

this end, is entitled to the gratitude and love of all who

desire a better and grander humanity, and who believe

it to be possible to establish the kingdom of heaven upon

earth in accordance with the prayer and teachings of

Jesus Christ.

_______

 

[Concord Evening Monitor, March 23, 1895]

 

Testimonial and Gift

 

To Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, from The First Church of

Christ, Scientist, in Boston

 

     Rev. Mary Baker Eddy received Friday, from the Chris-

tian Science Board of Directors, Boston, a beautiful and

unique testimonial of the appreciation of her labors and

loving generosity in the Cause of their common faith. It

was a facsimile of the corner-stone of the new church of

 

86 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

the Christian Scientists, just completed, being of granite,

about six inches in each dimension, and contains a solid

gold box, upon the cover of which is this inscription: —

     "To our Beloved Teacher, the Reverend Mary Baker

Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, from

her affectionate Students, the Christian Science Board of

Directors.''

     On the under side of the cover are the facsimile sig-

natures of the Directors, — Ira O. Knapp, William B.

Johnson, Joseph Armstrong, and Stephen A. Chase,

with the date, ''1895." The beautiful souvenir is en-

cased in an elegant plush box.

     Accompanying the stone testimonial was the following

address from the Board of Directors: —

 

Boston, March 20, 1895.

 

     To the Reverend Mary Baker Eddy, our Beloved

Teacher and Leader: — We are happy to announce to you

the completion of The First Church of Christ, Scientist,

in Boston.

     In behalf of your loving students and all contributors

wherever they may be, we hereby present this church to

you as a testimonial of love and gratitude for your labors

and loving sacrifice, as the Discoverer and Founder of

Christian Science, and the author of its textbook, ''Sci-

ence and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

     We therefore respectfully extend to you the invitation

to become the permanent pastor of this church, in con-

nection with the Bible and the book alluded to above,

which you have already ordained as our pastor. And we

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 87

 

most cordially invite you to be present and take charge

of any services that may be held therein. We especially

desire you to be present on the twenty-fourth day of March,

eighteen hundred and ninety-five, to accept this offering,

with our humble benediction.

Lovingly yours,

Ira O. Knapp, Joseph Armstrong,

William B. Johnson, Stephen A. Chase,

The Christian Science Board of Directors.

 

REV. MRS. EDDY'S REPLY

 

     Beloved Directors and Brethren: — For your costly offer-

ing, and kind call to the pastorate of "The First Church

of Christ, Scientist," in Boston — accept my profound

thanks. But permit me, respectfully, to decline their ac-

ceptance, while I fully appreciate your kind intentions.

If it will comfort you in the least, make me your Pastor

Emeritus, nominally. Through my book, your textbook,

I already speak to you each Sunday. You ask too much

when asking me to accept your grand church edifice. I

have more of earth now, than I desire, and less of heaven;

so pardon my refusal of that as a material offering. More

effectual than the forum are our states of mind, to bless

mankind. This wish stops not with my pen — God give

you grace. As our church's tall tower detains the sun,

so may luminous lines from your lives linger, a legacy to

our race.

Mary Baker Eddy.

March 25, 1895.

 

88 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

List of Leading Newspapers Whose Articles

Are Omitted

 

     From Canada to New Orleans, and from the Atlantic

to the Pacific ocean, the author has received leading news-

papers with uniformly kind and interesting articles on

the dedication of The Mother Church. They were, how-

ever, too voluminous for these pages. To those which are

copied she can append only a few of the names of other

prominent newspapers whose articles are reluctantly

omitted.

 

EASTERN STATES

 

Advertiser, Calais, Me.

Advertiser, Boston, Mass.

Farmer, Bridgeport, Conn.

Independent, Rockland, Mass.

Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Me.

News, New Haven, Conn.

News, Newport, R. I.

Post, Boston, Mass.

Post, Hartford, Conn.

Republican, Springfield, Mass.

Sentinel, Eastport, Me.

Sun, Attleboro, Mass.

 

MIDDLE STATES

 

Advertiser, New York City.

Bulletin, Auburn, N. Y.

Daily, York, Pa.

Enquirer, Philadelphia, Pa.

Evening Reporter, Lebanon, Pa.

Farmer, Bridgeport, N. Y.

Herald, Rochester, N. Y.

Independent, Harrisburg, Pa.

 

CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS 89

 

Independent, New York City.

Journal, Lockport, N. Y.

Knickerbocker, Albany, N. Y.

News, Buffalo, N. Y.

News, Newark, N. J.

Once A Week, New York City.

Post, Pittsburg, Pa.

Press, Albany, N. Y.

Press, New York City.

Press, Philadelphia, Pa.

Saratogian, Saratoga Springs, N. Yo

Sun, New York City.

Telegram, Philadelphia, Pa.

Telegram, Troy, N. Y.

Times, Trenton, N. J.

 

SOUTHERN STATES

 

Commercial, Louisville, Ky.

Journal, Atlanta, Ga.

Post, Washington, D. C.

Telegram, New Orleans, La.

Times, New Orleans, La.

Times-Herald, Dallas, Tex.

 

WESTERN STATES

 

Bee, Omaha, Neb.

Bulletin, San Francisco, Cal.

Chronicle, San Francisco, Cal.

Elite, Chicago, Ill.

Enquirer, Oakland, Cal.

Free Press, Detroit, Mich.

Gazette, Burhngton, Iowa.

Herald, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Herald, St. Joseph, Mo.

Journal, Columbus, Ohio.

Journal, Topeka, Kans.

Leader, Bloomington, Ill.

Leader, Cleveland, Ohio.

News, St. Joseph, Mo.

 

90 PULPIT AND PRESS

 

News-Tribune, Duluth, Minn.

Pioneer-Press, St. Paul, Minn.

Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, Wash.

Salt Lake Herald, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sentinel, Indianapolis, Ind.

Sentinel, Milwaukee, Wis.

Star, Kansas City, Mo.

Telegram, Portland, Ore.

Times, Chicago, Ill.

Times, Minneapolis, Minn.

Tribune, Minneapolis, Minn.

Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

Free Press, London, Can.

 

 

The University Press, Cambridge, U. S. A.

 

 

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