Among the Churches
Progress in Lisbon, N. H.
The Christian Scientists of this place have taken a step in advance and moved into a new hall in Parker's Block. They held their first service in their new quarters March I. There were sixty-five or more present. The hall is of commodious size and is very prettily furnished. Best of all, we have the exclusive use of it.
Our Society numbers but thirteen members, but a spirit of harmony has always prevailed. An earnest desire manifested on the part of the members to do what they can, has brought us this better place for our worship.
C. C. Moore, Sec.
Advance in Hoosic Falls, N. Y.
The Christian Science society here has grown slowly but surely for several years, and on the first day of December last, our articles of incorporation as a church, were filed with the county clerk, and January 18 we moved into our new quarters in the new Easton and Sharpe Block. We have a suite of five beautiful rooms. The reading rooms and office in front, and audience and Sunday School rooms in the rear.
For this manifestation of the unfailing provision of our Father-Mother God for the comfort and support of His children we are indeed grateful, and our hearts go out in thankfulness to our Leader who has shown us the way of Life through Christ Jesus.—Mrs. Anna S. Carpenter.
Second Church Organized in London.
The organization of Second Church, London, Eng., will be of interest to the Field.
For some time past it has been evident to many earnest students that the work, so near to our hearts, would receive a fresh impetus by the formation of a Second Church, and in love this step has been taken. We organized with a membership of sixty-five, and we are growing rapidly, and although we have a seating capacity of between three hundred and fifty and four hundred, it is evident that in a few months we shall have to look for larger quarters. Our book-room is now well stocked with all the literature, orders having been sent for about five hundred dollars worth. We have two rooms: one for the sale of Christian Science literature and the other for reading. From the position, right in the business center of the great West End, it is noticed that during the noon hour people drop in just for a few minutes' quiet reading, and this will, I feel sure, lead to a great work with store clerks and busy professionals.—Correspondence.
The following "Impressions of Christian Science," received at a Wednesday evening meeting of this new church, are taken from the columns of a London periodical, Study and Lounge.—Ed.
Passing along Queen's Road, one Wednesday evening a short time back, I noticed that the entrance to the Elysee Gallery was brightly lighted up, and I also observed a number of people going in. I found that a Christian Science meeting was to be held, by a Second Church of Christian Scientists. I had already visited their church in Bryanston Street, and although on that occasion I went as an absolute unbeliever, I could not but be impressed by the beautiful simplicity of the service and the rapt, reverent attention of the congregation.
Passing through the attractive entrance hall, I found myself in a large, pleasant room, at the further end of which a cheerful fire was burning in a grate.
After a while I noticed that people were coming in pretty fast, so I sat down and waited. At eight o'clock by my watch, a lady with an expression which "told of days in goodness spent," opened the meeting by reading the words of a hymn: "Shepherd, show me how to go" by Mrs. Eddy, the Founder of Christian Science. The congregation of about one hundred, rose and sang it in a whole-souled manner. Then came the reading, which from the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's book, 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." The reading was succeeded by a brief interval of silent prayer, concluding with the repetition aloud of the Lord's Prayer, and I have never taken part in anything more beautiful or impressive than were those few moments.
The second hymn was sung in the same hearty way, and this completed, a few facts in connection with the church services and the reading rooms were announced, and the meeting was opened for the giving of testimonies. The first speaker was a gentleman whom I afterwards discovered to be a doctor, who rose and related in a lucid and interesting manner several of his own experiences as well as some remarkable facts in connection with others, serving to illustrate the efficacy of the Christian Science treatment. This was followed by other testimonies, all told with a sincerity and depth of feeling which gave them interest even where the speaker could lay no claim to eloquence. I would recommend those who are interested in Christian Science to visit one or the other of the places which have been converted into churches by its adherents, and I feel confident that if the visitor does so with an open and unprejudiced mind, he cannot but be impressed.
In a well-thumbed autograph book of Abraham Lincoln, found by H. A. Barker, the following paragraph is underlined and re-underlined: "A wisely trained character never stops to ask, What will society think of me if I do this thing, or if I leave it undone? The question by which it tests the quality of an action is whether or not it is just and wise and fitting when judged by the eternal laws of right." Does not this favorite passage of the boy foreshadow the greatness of the man who, amid the strife of party, the horrors of civil war, the defection of friends, and the abuse and calumny of enemies, stood unflinchingly by the "eternal laws of right"?
