The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany

The

First Church of Christ

Scientist

and Miscellany

Mary Baker Eddy

Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science

and Author of Science and Health with

Key to the Scriptures

Published by the

Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker G. Eddy

Boston, U.S.A.

By the Trustees under the Will of

Mary Baker G. Eddy

______

languages, including the Scandinavian

Printed in the United States of America

Foreword

1Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet;
Lest we forget — lest we forget !

3— Kipling's Recessional
IN these stirring times of church building, when the
attention of the whole world is fixed on Christian Sci-

6ence, when the growth and prosperity of the Cause are
matters of general wonderment and frequent comment,
when the right hand of fellowship is being extended to

9this people by other Christian denominations, when pop-
ularity threatens to supersede persecution, it is well
for earnest and loyal Christian Scientists to fortify them-

12selves against the mesmerism of personal pride and self-
adulation by recalling the following historical facts: —

1. That Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Sci-

15ence in 1866, and established the Cause on a sound basis
by healing the sick and reforming the sinner quickly
and completely, and doing this work "without money and

18without price."

2. That in 1875, after nine years of arduous prelimi-
nary labor, she wrote and published the Christian Sci-

21ence textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures;" that over four hundred thousand copies of
this book have been sold — an unparalleled record for

24a work of this description; that it has healed multi-
tudes of disease and has revealed God to well-nigh

Page vi

1countless numbers — facts which prove, (1) that Science
and Health does not need to be interpreted to those who

3are earnestly seeking Truth; (2) that it is not possible
to state truth absolutely in a simpler or more pleasing
form.

63. That no one on earth to-day, aside from Mrs.
Eddy, knows anything about Christian Science except
as he has learned it from her and from her writings; and

9Christian Scientists are honest only as they give her full
credit for this extraordinary work.

4. That Mrs. Eddy organized The First Church of

12Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., devised its church
government, originated its form of public worship, wrote
its Church Manual and Tenets, and always has been

15and is now its guide, guardian, Leader, and wise and
unerring counsellor.

5. That Mrs. Eddy founded The Christian Science

18Journal in 1883, was its first editor and for years the
principal contributor to its columns; that she organized
The Christian Science Publishing Society, which in 1898,

21with its assets valued at forty-five thousand dollars,
she made over to trustees under agreement to pay all
future profits to her church; that at the same time she

24presented to her church the property at 95 and 97
Falmouth Street, then occupied by the Publishing So-
ciety and valued at twenty-five thousand dollars, reserv-

27ing for herself only a place for the publishing of her
works; that she established the Christian Science Sentinel
and authorized Der Herold der Christian Science, both of

Page vii

1which, together with The Christian Science Journal, are
the property of the Publishing Society.

3Strive it ever so hard, The Church of Christ, Scientist,
can never do for its Leader what its Leader has done
for this church; but its members can so protect their

6own thoughts that they are not unwittingly made to de-
prive their Leader of her rightful place as the revelator
to this age of the immortal truths testified to by Jesus

9and the prophets.

Deeds, not words, are the sound test of love; and
the helpfulness of consistent and constant right think-

12ing — intelligent thinking untainted by the emotionalism
which is largely self-glorification — is a reasonable service
which all Christian Scientists can render their Leader.

15— The Christian Science Journal, May, 1906

Part I

The First Church of Christ

Scientist

CHAPTER I — "CHOOSE YE"

1MESSAGE FROM MARY BAKER EDDY ON THE OCCASION OF THE DEDICATION OF THE EXTENSION OF THE

3 MOTHER CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, JUNE 10, 1906

MY BELOVED BRETHREN: — The divine might of
Truth demands well-doing in order to demon-

6strate truth, and this not alone in accord with human
desire but with spiritual power. St. John writes: "Blessed
are they that do His commandments, that they may have

9right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates
into the city." The sear leaves of faith without works,
scattered abroad in Zion's waste places, appeal to re-

12formers, "Show me thy faith by thy works."

Christian Science is not a dweller apart in royal solitude;
it is not a law of matter, nor a transcendentalism that

15heals only the sick. This Science is a law of divine Mind,
a persuasive animus, an unerring impetus, an ever-present
help. Its presence is felt, for it acts and acts wisely,

18always unfolding the highway of hope, faith, understand-
ing. It is the higher criticism, the higher hope, and its
effect on man is mainly this — that the good which has

21come into his life, examination compels him to think
genuine, whoever did it. A Christian Scientist verifies
his calling. Choose ye!

Page 4

1When, by losing his faith in matter and sin, one finds
the spirit of Truth, then he practises the Golden Rule

3spontaneously; and obedience to this rule spiritualizes
man, for the world's nolens volens cannot enthrall it.
Lust, dishonesty, sin, disable the student; they preclude

6the practice or efficient teaching of Christian Science, the
truth of man's being. The Scripture reads: "He that
taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy

9of me." On this basis, how many are following the
Way-shower? We follow Truth only as we follow truly,
meekly, patiently, spiritually, blessing saint and sinner

12with the leaven of divine Love which woman has put
into Christendom and medicine.

A genuine Christian Scientist loves Protestant and

15Catholic, D.D. and M.D., — loves all who love God,
good; and he loves his enemies. It will be found that,
instead of opposing, such an individual subserves the

18interests of both medical faculty and Christianity, and
they thrive together, learning that Mind-power is good
will towards men. Thus unfolding the true metal in

21character, the iron in human nature rusts away; honesty
and justice characterize the seeker and finder of Christian
Science.

24The pride of place or power is the prince of this world
that hath nothing in Christ. Our great Master said:
"Except ye . . . become as little children, ye shall not

27enter into the kingdom of heaven," — the reign of right-
eousness, the glory of good, healing the sick and saving
the sinner. The height of my hope must remain. Glory

30be to Thee, Thou God most high and nigh.

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

Page 5

1originates in the minds of mortals. It is the Adam-
dream according to the Scriptural allegory, in which

3man is supposed to start from dust and woman to be
the outcome of man's rib, — marriage synonymous with
legalized lust, and the offspring of sense the murderers

6of their brothers!

Wholly apart from this mortal dream, this illusion and
delusion of sense, Christian Science comes to reveal man

9as God's image, His idea, coexistent with Him — God
giving all and man having all that God gives. Whence,
then, came the creation of matter, sin, and death, mortal

12pride and power, prestige or privilege? The First Com-
mandment of the Hebrew Decalogue, "Thou shalt have
no other gods before me," and the Golden Rule are the

15all-in-all of Christian Science. They are the spiritual
idealism and realism which, when realized, constitute a
Christian Scientist, heal the sick, reform the sinner, and

18rob the grave of its victory. The spiritual understanding
which demonstrates Christian Science, enables the devout
Scientist to worship, not an unknown God, but Him whom,

21understanding even in part, he continues to love more and
to serve better.

Beloved, I am not with you in propria persona at this

24memorable dedication and communion season, but I am
with you "in spirit and in truth," lovingly thanking your
generosity and fidelity, and saying virtually what the

27prophet said: Continue to choose whom ye will serve.

Forgetting the Golden Rule and indulging sin, men
cannot serve God; they cannot demonstrate the omnipo-

30tence of divine Mind that heals the sick and the sinner.
Human will may mesmerize and mislead man; divine
wisdom, never. Indulging deceit is like the defendant

Page 6

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

3We cannot serve two masters. Do we love God
supremely? Are we honest, just, faithful? Are we true
to ourselves? "God is not mocked: for whatsoever a

6man soweth, that shall he also reap." To abide in our
unselfed better self is to be done forever with the sins
of the flesh, the wrongs of human life, the tempter and

9temptation, the smile and deceit of damnation. When
we have overcome sin in all its forms, men may revile us
and despitefully use us, and we shall rejoice, "for great

12is [our] reward in heaven.''

You have dexterously and wisely provided for The
Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, a magnificent tem-

15ple wherein to enter and pray. Greatly impressed and
encouraged thereby, deeply do I thank you for this proof
of your progress, unity, and love. The modest edifice

18of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, began with
the cross; its excelsior extension is the crown. The room
of your Leader remains in the beginning of this edifice,

21evidencing the praise of babes and the word which pro-
ceedeth out of the mouth of God. Its crowning ulti-
mate rises to a mental monument, a superstructure high

24above the work of men's hands, even the outcome of
their hearts, giving to the material a spiritual significance
— the speed, beauty, and achievements of goodness.

27Methinks this church is the one edifice on earth which
most prefigures self-abnegation, hope, faith; love catching
a glimpse of glory.

CHAPTER II — THE EXTENSION OF THE MOTHER CHURCH

CHAPTER II

THE EXTENSION OF THE MOTHER CHURCH

OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST: ITS INCEPTION,

CONSTRUCTION, AND DEDICATION

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

3[Extract]
HERE allow me to interpolate some matters of busi-
ness that ordinarily find no place in my Message.

6It is a privilege to acquaint communicants with the
financial transactions of this church, so far as I know
them, and especially before making another united effort

9to purchase more land and enlarge our church edifice so
as to seat the large number who annually favor us with
their presence on Communion Sunday.

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MOTHER CHURCH,

JUNE 18, 1902 — TWO MILLION DOLLARS PLEDGED

Edward A. Kimball, C.S.D., offered the following

15motion: —

"Recognizing the necessity for providing an auditorium
for The Mother Church that will seat four or five thou-

18sand persons, and acting in behalf of ourselves and the
Christian Scientists of the world, we agree to contribute

Page 8

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

3In support of the motion, Mr. Kimball said in part:
"Our denomination is palpably outgrowing the institu-
tional end thereof. We need to keep pace with our own

6growth and progress. The necessity here indicated is be-
yond cavil; beyond resistance in your thought."

Judge William G. Ewing, in seconding the motion, said: —

9"As we have the best church in the world, and as we
have the best expression of the religion of Jesus Christ,
let us have the best material symbol of both of these, and

12in the best city in the world.

"Now I am sure that I have but expressed the universal
voice of Christian Scientists, that there should be some-

15thing done, and done immediately, to make reasonable
accommodation for the regular business of the Christian
Science church, and I believe really, with my faint

18knowledge of arithmetic and the relationship of figures,
that a church of twenty-four thousand members should
have a seating capacity of more than nine hundred, if

21they are all to get in."

The motion was carried unanimously.

Greeting from the Church to Mrs. Eddy

24"Ten thousand Christian Scientists from throughout
the world, convened in annual business meeting in
Boston, send our greeting to you, whom we recognize

27as logically the natural and indispensable Leader of our
religious denomination and its activity.

"Since the last report, in 1900, one hundred and five

30new churches or congregations have been added, and

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1those previously established have had large accessions
to their membership. In recognition of the necessity for

3providing an audience-room in The Mother Church which
will seat four or five thousand persons, we have agreed to
contribute any portion of two million dollars that may

6be needed for that purpose.

"The instinctive gratitude which not only impels the
Christian to turn in loving thankfulness to his heavenly

9Father, but induces him to glory in every good deed and
thought on the part of every man — this would be scant
indeed if it did not continually move us to utter our grati-

12tude to you and declare the depth of our affection and
esteem.

"To you, who are standing in the forefront of the effort

15for righteous reform, we modestly renew the hope and
desire that we may worthily follow with you in the way
of salvation through Christ."

OUR LEADER'S THANKS

To the Members of The Mother Church: — I am bankrupt
in thanks to you, my beloved brethren, who at our last

21annual meeting pledged yourselves with startling grace
to contribute any part of two millions of dollars towards
the purchase of more land for its site, and to enlarge

24our church edifice in Boston. I never before felt poor
in thanks, but I do now, and will draw on God for
the amount I owe you, till I am satisfied with what my

27heart gives to balance accounts.
MARY BAKER EDDY

PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H.,

July 21, 1902

1The First Church of Christ, Scientist

Christian Science Sentinel, May 16, 1903

It is inevitable that the transforming influence of

3Christian Science should improve the thought, enlarge the
favorable expectation, and augment the achievements of
its followers. It was inevitable that this mighty impulse

6for good should have externalized itself, ten years ago,
in an edifice for The Mother Church. It is inevitable
that this same impulsion should now manifest itself in a

9beautiful, ample building, embodying the best of design,
material, and situation.

Some money has been paid in towards the fund, and

12some of the churches and other organizations have taken
steps in this direction, but the time is at hand, now, for
this entire donation to be specifically subscribed as to

15amount and date of payment. No appeal has ever been
made in this behalf, and it is probable that none will be
made or ever be needed. It is doubtful if the Cause of

18Christian Science could prosper, in any particular, on the
basis of fretful or reluctant sacrifice on the part of its
people. Christian Scientists are not expected to contrib-

21ute money against their will or as the result of impor-
tunity or entreaty on the part of some one else.

They will provide the money necessary to this end,

24because they recognize the importance of The Mother
Church to the Cause. They realize that there must be
a prosperous parent church, in order to insure the pros-

27perity of the branch churches; indeed, they know that
it is the prosperous growth of this movement which
now necessitates this onward step. They know that

30their own individual welfare is closely interwoven with
the general welfare of the Cause.

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1Notwithstanding the fact that as Christian Scientists
we are as yet but imperfect followers of the perfect Christ,

3and although we may falter or stumble or loiter by the
way, we know that the Leader of this movement, Mrs.
Eddy, has been constantly at her post during all the

6storms that have surged against her for a generation.
She has been the one of all the world who has encountered
the full force of antagonism. We know, too, that during

9these years she has not tried to guide us by means of
forced marches, but has waited for us to grow into readi-
ness for each step, and we know that in all this time she

12has never urged upon us a step that did not result in our
welfare.

A year ago she quietly alluded to the need of our

15Mother Church. She knew that we were ready; the re-
sponse was instant, spontaneous. Later on she expressed
much gratification because of prompt and liberal action,

18and it needs no special insight to predict that she will be
cheered and encouraged to know that, having seized upon
this privilege and opportunity, we have also made good

21the pledge.

Editorial in Christian Science Sentinel, May 16, 1903

Our readers have been informed of the purchase of the

24land upon which the new building will be erected, and
that this land has been paid for. The location is, there-
fore, determined. The size of the building was decided

27last June, but there still remained for definite decision
the amount to be expended and the date for commen-
cing building operations. The pledge of the annual

30meeting was "any portion of two million dollars that

Page 12

1may be necessary for this purpose," and this of course
carried the implication that work should be commenced

3as soon as the money in hand justified the letting of
contracts.