The ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the new church, the gift of the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy to the Christian Scientists of Concord, took place at half past twelve o'clock, to-day. In accordance with the wish of Mrs. Eddy the services were of a simple nature.

But few members of the church from abroad were present, and less than one hundred people resident in the city witnessed the ceremony from places of vantage in the square on which the church is being constructed. But for the expressed desire of Mrs. Eddy the attendance would have been very large, as people from various parts of the country, to the number of two or three thousand, had arranged to be present.

Some five minutes before the time appointed for the services to begin, a procession formed at the Eagle Hotel, which was led by the Rev. Irving C. Tomlinson, First Reader of the local church, and Prof. Hermann S. Hering, First Reader of the Mother Church in Boston. Some twenty-five ladies and gentlemen, including the Directors of the Mother Church, walked in the procession to the site of the new church, where they took places upon a platform erected there and around the corner-stone, which was a plain block of granite simply "A. D. 1903."

At half past twelve o'clock, before this small company, the following order of exercises was conducted by Mr. Tomlinson. Scripture reading, I Corinthians, 3 : 9-14.

For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

And also: Ephesians, 2:19-22.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone;

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

This was followed by silent prayer and the audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer.

Mrs. Eddy's beautiful letter was then read:—

"First Church of Christ, Scientist, Concord, N. H.

"Beloved Brethren:— This day drops down upon the glories of summer, it is a glad day, in attune with faith's fond trust. We live in an age of Love's divine adventure to be All in all. This day is the natal hour of my lone earth life; and for all mankind to-day hath its gloom and glory—it endureth all things—it points to the new birth, heaven here, the struggle over—it profits by the past, and joys in the present—to-day lends a new-born beauty to holiness, patience, charity, love.

"Having all faith in Christian Science we must have faith in whatever manifests love for God and man. The burden of proof that Christian Science is Science, rests on Christian Scientists. The letter without the spirit is dead; it is the Spirit that heals the sick, and the sinner—that makes the heart tender, faithful, true. Most men and women talk well, and some practise what they say.

"God has blessed and will bless this dear band of brethren; He has laid the chief corner-stone of the temple which to-day you commemorate, to-morrow complete, and thereafter dedicate to Truth and Love. O may your temple and all who worship therein stand through all time for God and humanity.

"Mary Baker G. Eddy."

The corner-stone was then laid, with the following articles deposited in it:—

The Holy Bible; all the published works of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, the Reverend Mary Baker G. Eddy, including the text-book of the denomination, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures;" "Miscellaneous Writings, 1883—1896;" "Retrospection and Introspection;" "Pulpit and Press;" "Unity of Good;" "Rudimental Divine Science;" "No and Yes;" "Christian Science vs. Pantheism;" "Message to the Mother Church;" "Christian Healing;" "People's Idea of God;" "Christ and Christmas," an illustrated poem; Our Leader's Message; Communion Message; Church Manual. Also The Christian Science Hymnal; the current numbers of The Christian Science Journal, The Christian Science Quarterly, Christian Science Sentinel, Der Christian Science Herold; the By-Laws, and a complete list of the members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Concord, N. H.; the name of the donor of the new church edifice, the Reverend Mary Baker G. Eddy; the names of the Building Committee, the architect, and the builder.

The exercises concluded with a repetition of the following prayer from the Church Manual:—

" 'Thy kingdom come;' let the reign of Truth and Love be established in me, rule me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy word, in Christian Science, enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them."

The trowel used upon this memorable occasion was presented by Lady Victoria Murray, daughter of the Earl of Dunmore. It was a beautiful implement of solid silver with ivory handle.

The lot upon which the new church edifice is being built, at the corner of School and State Streets, is one of the choicest locations in Concord. It is opposite the High School, and is in close proximity to the State Capitol the Government Building, the State Library, the new City Hall, and the Unitarian Church. The lot has a frontage on State Street of one hundred and two feet and a depth on School Street of one hundred and fifty-five feet.

The church, of Gothic architecture, will be eighty feet wide and one hundred and twenty feet deep and will seat one thousand people comfortably. It will be built entirely of Concord granite. A handsome tower over one hundred feet high, and three beautiful entrances, will adorn the front.

The building committee consists of Messrs. Fred N. Ladd, Josiah E. Dwight, and J. Wesley Plummer. The architects are Mr. Francis R. Allen and Mr. Frederic Collins of Boston, and the builder is Mr. E. Noyes Whitcomb of Boston.—Concord (N. H.) Patriot.