The Corner-stone of the new auditorium for the Mother Church in Boston was laid Saturday, July 16, at eight o'clock in the forenoon, and those who participated in this "simple, prayerful, devout" service, were much gratified that, in the orderly progress of the work, this ceremony became possible upon the birthday of Mrs. Eddy. In addition to the members of the Christian Science Board of Directors, who have the work directly in charge, there were present on this occasion, Mr. Alfred Farlow, President of the Mother Church; Prof. Hermann S. Hering, First Reader; Mrs. Ella E. Williams, Second Reader, and Mr. Charles Brigham and Mr. E. Noyes Whitcomb, respectively the architect and the builder of the new edifice.

The order of the services, which were conducted by the First Reader, was as follows:—

Scripture reading, Isaiah, 28:16, 17,—

"Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

"Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place."

And also, 1 Peter, 2:1–6,—

"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

"If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

"Wherefore also it is contained in the Scriptures, Behold, I lay in Sion a Chief corner-stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded."

The reading of selections from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy,—

Page 241, lines 13 to 30:
136, lines 1 to 5, 9 to 14;
137, lines 16 to 5 next page;
583, lines 12 to 19;
35, lines 20 to 25.

This was followed by a few moments of silent prayer and the audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer with its spiritual interpretation, as given in the Christian Science text-book, after which the following extracts from Mrs. Eddy's writings were read:—

"Hitherto, I have observed that in proportion as this church has smiled on His 'little ones.' He has blessed her Throughout my entire connection with the Mother Church, I have seen, that in the ratio of her love for others, hath His love been bestowed upon her; watering her waste places, and enlarging her borders.

"One thing I have greatly desired, and again earnestly request, namely: that Christian Scientists here, and elsewhere, pray daily for themselves; not verbally, nor on bended knee, but mentally, meekly, and importunately. When a hungry heart petitions the divine Fother-Mother God for bread, it is not given a stone,—but more grace, obedience, and love. If this heart, humble and trustful, faithfully asks divine Love to feed it with the Bread of Heaven, health, holiness, it will be conformed to a fitness to receive the answer to its desire: then will flow into it the 'river of His pleasure,' the tributary of divine Love, and great growth in Christian Science will follow,—even that joy which finds one's own in another's good" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 127, lines 15 to 2 next page.

"Beloved brethren, the love of our loving Lord was never more manifest than in its stern condemnation of all error, wherever found. I counsel thee, rebuke and exhort one another. Love all Christian churches for the Gospel's sake; and be exceedingly glad that the churches are united in purpose, if not in method, to close the war between flesh and Spirit, and to fight the good fight till God's will be witnessed and done on earth as in heaven" (Christian Science versus Pantheism, p. 19, lines 6–15).

The corner-stone was then laid by the members of the Christian Science Board of Directors. It contained the following articles: The Holy Bible, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and all other published writings of Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science; The Christian Science Hymnal; The Mother Church; the current numbers of The Christian Science Journal, Christian Science Sentinel, Der Christian Science Herold, and the Christian Science Quarterly.

The ceremony concluded with the repetition of "the scientific statement of being," from Science and Health, and the benediction, 2 Corinthians, 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."