Among the Churches

Dedication at Los Angeles, Ca.

Both the Herald and Times of Los Angeles devoted considerable space to reports of the dedication of First Church of Christ, Scientist, which occurred Sunday, November 30. The Herald said, in part:—

"At the morning service yesterday First Church of Christ, Scientist, was crowded until but little standing room was left. It was a time of especial rejoicing, for the handsome church had been freed of debt and was dedicated."

The Times said, in part:—

"Having freed their new temple from all financial incumbrances, the congregation of First Church of Christ, Scientist, yesterday formally dedicated it.

"Dedicatory services were held both morning and evening, and the bright new edifice on Seventeenth Street, between Figueroa and Georgia Streets, was well filled each time."

The regular service for the day was elaborated by additional music and by appropriate addresses by Dr. F. J. Fluno, C.S.D., of Oakland; Mrs. Lizzie L. Filbert, C.S.B., of Los Angeles, and Dr. A. A. Sulcer, C.S.B., of Riverside.

The following message from our Leader was read at both services:—

Pleasant View, Concord, N.H.
November 20, 1902 

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Los Angeles, Cal.

Mrs. J. P. Filbert and the Board of Directors.

Beloved Students:— Your kind letter inviting me to be present at the dedication of your church was duly received. It would indeed give me pleasure to visit you, to witness your prosperity, and "rejoice with them that do rejoice," but the constant recurring demands upon my time and attention pin me to my post. Of this, however, I can sing: My love can fly on wings of joy to you and leave a leaf of olive, it can whisper to you of the Divine ever-presence answering your prayers, crowning your endeavors, and building for you a house eternal in the heavens.

You will dedicate your temple in faith unfeigned, not to the unknown God, but unto Him whom to know aright is life everlasting. His presence with you will bring to your hearts so much of heaven, that you will not feel my absence. The privilege remains mine to watch and work for all, from East to West, from the green sward and gorgeous skies of the Orient, to your dazzling glory in the Occident, and to thank God forever for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.

With love, Mother,
MARY B. G. EDDY.

The opening service of this church, held Sunday, October 6, 1901, was quite fully reported in the December Journal, 1901.

A New Chapel in Albany, N. Y.

Exactly thirteen years ago to-day a little band of earnest people incorporated the Christian Science Church in Albany, and to-day [November 16] for the first time the members of that sect in this city will worship in their own edifice. At 10.45 o'clock this morning the beautiful new chapel at the corner of Madison Avenue and Quail Street will be opened for services, and the occasion will be one of great rejoicing, for the little band has grown to goodly proportions and it is believed that with a house of worship of their own a great impetus will be given to the work in this city.

It is an interesting coincidence that the day selected for the opening of the new chapel is date for date the thirteenth anniversary of the incorporation of the church here, for this fact was not discovered until after the date for the opening had been selected. The dedication of the chapel will not take place until some time later.

The growth of the Christian Science movement in this city has been quite remarkable, and there is every indication that from now on it will be still more so, and that the chapel to be opened this morning is merely a promise of the greater church that will in time spring from it. The movement was first introduced in Albany in 1887, and on November 16, 1889, the church was incorporated. The membership has increased a hundred per cent in the past year, and the efforts of the present Readers have been crowned with marked success.

At first the movement met with much opposition here and many unjust criticisms were heard on every side, but as the Christian Scientists moved on in the even tenor of their way, demonstrating the sincerity and unselfishness of their motives, persecution gradually ceased, and to-day, as they enter their first real home, they do so with the knowledge that they have taken a distinct place among the religious denominations of this city and command the respect of all men and women who recognize the right to worship God according to the dictates of one's conscience.

Laying of Corner-Stone in Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

The laying of the corner-stone of First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Poughkeepsie, took place this morning [November 12] at eleven o'clock with simple yet appropriate ceremonies.

The First Reader of the local church announced at the opening of the exercises that they were gathered to perform a simple but important ceremony in connection with the erection of the first Christian Science house of worship in the Hudson River valley.

"The exercises of to-day," said he, "mark an epoch in the religious history of Poughkeepsie, and our children's children will 'rise up and call her blessed' who has made the occasion possible. There will go forth from the walls of this church a religious teaching of health, happiness, holiness or wholeness, and heaven, which will bring a peace which 'passeth all understanding' into the lives of all who will accept it."—Exchange.

Growth in Springfield, Mass.

The local Christian Scientists have arranged to hold their Sunday morning services at 10.45 in the large hall of the Grand Army Memorial Building on Court Street. The increased attendance at and crowded conditions in the present quarters have necessitated this change.