Miscellaneous Writings Part 28

above the plane of matter. If so, I may hope that a closer link hath bound us. Across lakes, into a kingdom, I reach out my hand to clasp yours, with this silent bene- diction: May the kingdom of heaven come in each of your hearts! [10]

With love, MARY BAKER EDDY

Address,-Laying The Corner-Stone.

_Beloved Students_:-On the 21st day of May, A.D.

1894, with quiet, imposing ceremony, is laid the corner- [15]

stone of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist," in Boston.

It gives me great pleasure to say that you, princ.i.p.ally the Normal cla.s.s graduates of my College, well known physicians, teachers, editors, and pastors of churches, [20]

by contributions of one thousand dollars each, husband and wife reckoned as one, have, within about three months, donated the munificent sum of forty-two thou- sand dollars toward building The Mother Church. A quiet call from me for this extra contribution, in aid of [25]

our Church Building Fund, found you all "with one accord in one place." Each donation came promptly; sometimes at much self-sacrifice, but always accompanied with a touching letter breathing the donor's privileged joy.

[Page 144.]

The granite for this church was taken from the quar- [1]

ries in New Hampshire, my native State. The money for building "Mother's Room," situated in the second story of the tower on the northeast corner of this build- ing, and the name thereof, came from the dear children [5]

of Christian Scientists; a little band called Busy Bees, organized by Miss Maurine R. Campbell.

On this memorable day there are laid away a copy of this address, the subscription list on which appear your several names in your own handwriting, your textbook, [10]

"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and other works written by the same author, your teacher, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science;(4) without pomp or pride, laid away as a sacred secret in the heart of a rock, there to typify the prophecy, "And a man [15]

shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; ... as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land:" henceforth to whisper our Master's promise, "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of h.e.l.l shall not prevail against it." [20]

To-day, be this hope in each of our hearts,-precious in G.o.d's sight as shall be the a.s.sembling of His people in this temple, sweet as the rest that remaineth for the righteous, and fresh as a summer morn,-that, from earth's pillows of stone, our visible lives are rising to [25]

G.o.d. As in the history of a seed, so may our earthly sowing bear fruit that exudes the inspiration of the wine poured into the cup of Christ.

To-day I pray that divine Love, the life-giving Prin- ciple of Christianity, shall speedily wake the long night [30]

of materialism, and the universal dawn shall break upon the spire of this temple. The Church, more than any

[Page 145.]

other inst.i.tution, at present is the cement of society, and [1]

it should be the bulwark of civil and religious liberty.

But the time cometh when the religious element, or Church of Christ, shall exist alone in the affections, and need no organization to express it. Till then, this form of G.o.dli- [5]

ness seems as requisite to manifest its spirit, as individ- uality to express Soul and substance.

Does a single bosom burn for fame and power? Then when that person shall possess these, let him ask him- self, and answer to his name in this corner-stone of our [10]

temple: Am I greater for them? And if he thinks that he is, then is he less than man to whom G.o.d gave "do- minion over all the earth," less than the meek who "in- herit the earth." Even vanity forbids man to be vain; and pride is a hooded hawk which flies in darkness. Over [15]

a wounded sense of its own error, let not mortal thought resuscitate too soon.

In our rock-bound friendship, delicate as dear, our names may melt into one, and common dust, and their modest sign be nothingness. Be this as it may, the visible [20]

unity of spirit remains, to quicken even dust into sweet memorial such as Isaiah prophesied: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." [25]

When the _hearts_ of Christian Scientists are woven to- gether as are their names in the web of history, earth will float majestically heaven's heraldry, and echo the song of angels: "Glory to G.o.d in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." [30]

To The Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, and to the dear children that my heart folds within it, let me

[Page 146.]

say, 'Tis sweet to remember thee, and G.o.d's Zion, with [1]

healing on her wings. May her walls be vocal with sal- vation; and her gates with praise!

To The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston

_My Beloved Students_:-I cannot conscientiously lend my counsel to direct your action on receiving or dismiss- ing candidates. To do this, I should need to be with you. I cannot accept hearsay, and would need to know the circ.u.mstances and facts regarding both sides of the [10]

subject, to form a proper judgment. This is not my present province; hence I have hitherto declined to be consulted on these subjects, and still maintain this position.

These are matters of grave import; and you cannot [15]

be indifferent to this, but will give them immediate at- tention, and be governed therein by the spirit and the letter of this Scripture: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them."

I cannot be the conscience for this church; but if I [20]

were, I would gather every reformed mortal that desired to come, into its fold, and counsel and help him to walk in the footsteps of His flock. I feel sure that as Chris- tian Scientists you will act, relative to this matter, up to your highest understanding of justice and mercy. [25]

Affectionately yours, MARY BAKER EDDY Feb. 12, 1895

[Page 147.]

The First Members Of The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Ma.s.sachusetts

_My Beloved Students_:-Another year has rolled on, [3]

another annual meeting has convened, another s.p.a.ce of time has been given us, and has another duty been done [5]

and another victory won for time and eternity? Do you meet in unity, preferring one another, and demonstrating the divine Principle of Christian Science? Have you improved past hours, and ladened them with records worthy to be borne heavenward? Have you learned [10]

that sin is inadmissible, and indicates a small mind?

Do you manifest love for those that hate you and de- spitefully use you?

The man of integrity is one who makes it his constant rule to follow the road of duty, according as Truth and [15]

the voice of his conscience point it out to him. He is not guided merely by affections which may some time give the color of virtue to a loose and unstable character.

The upright man is guided by a fixed Principle, which destines him to do nothing but what is honorable, and to [20]

abhor whatever is base or unworthy; hence we find him ever the same,-at all times the trusty friend, the affec- tionate relative, the conscientious man of business, the pious worker, the public-spirited citizen.

He a.s.sumes no borrowed appearance. He seeks no [25]

mask to cover him, for he acts no studied part; but he is indeed what he appears to be,-full of truth, candor, and humanity. In all his pursuits, he knows no path but the fair, open, and direct one, and would much rather fail of success than attain it by reproachable means. He [30]

[Page 148.]

never shows us a smiling countenance while he meditates [1]