Article January 9, 1904 Issue

Among the Churches

with contributions from Mary Baker G. Eddy, E. Howard Gilkey, Irving C. Tomlinson, C. A. Frye, Horace Dillon, Catherine Rumney

On Wednesday evening, November 25, 1903, over two hundred and fifty persons assembled in the weekly experience meeting, in the auditorium of First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Columbus, O. It was the first service in the church building, and was held as a testimonial of the wonderful things God had done for this branch Church in the twelve months then drawing to a close; for within twelve months, following the lead of present necessity (which is always God's opportunity), Columbus branch had demonstrated its way, step by step, from rented quarters to the possession of a cement-block church building with a seating capacity of five hundred persons, and located within four squares of the Capitol Building, in the heart of the city. We have always said, that standing room is at a premium, then would be the time to talk about a church building; and the time duly arrived. Beginning the year with an offering to the building fund of the Mother Church; with all the money in hand paid out as a first payment on the church lot; the necessities of the church seemed to cry, "Go forward," and the command came as it did to Moses, with a Red Sea of mortal mind between the church and dry land in front, with hills of mortal mind at either hand, and with fear trying to overcome us from the rear and lead us back to the bondage of Pharaoh and of Egypt. And yet there was always dry land for the advancing footstep, and the church passed through the sea dry-shod, and entered unharmed upon its further journey in the cause of the One Lord,—"Infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation" (Science and Health, p. 468).

The first service in the new church building opened with the singing of the beautiful hymn by our beloved Leader, "Shepherd, show me how to go," and the selections from Science and Health began with the inspiring and wonderfully suitable words, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings" (Science and Health, Preface, p. vii). At the close of the lesson, there was read these words of greeting and Christian cheer from her to whom the whole world of Christian Science is so deeply indebted for all it knows of this truth:—

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Columbus, O.

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MRS. EDDY TAKES NO PATIENTS