Editorial January 21, 1905 Issue

Commemoration

Annie M. Knott

We are reminded at this time of that highly-important event in the history of the Christian Science movement.—the dedication of The Mother Church edifice,—which took place ten years ago. Those who were present on that happy occasion will remember how hearts were thrilled as the chimes rang out their greeting in some old and familiar hymns, and in the Communion hymn "Saw ye my Saviour?" by our beloved Leader. They will recall the successive services rendered necessary by the large numbers who sought admission, and that at each service the joy-inspring Dedicatory Sermon by the Pastor Emeritus, Mrs. Eddy, was read to the members and the many strangers who had come to share the blessings of the day. As we now read this sermon in "Pulpit and Press," we can better appreciate its deep spiritual import, as well as the unparalleled experiences which led up to the dedication of The Mother Church.

In looking backward through the vista of years we behold a figure at once pathetic and heroic,—a woman standing alone in the light and shadow of the nineteenth Christian century, calling the world to listen to her message, telling the sick and the sinful, the weak and the weary sons and daughters of men that all the blessings of divine Love, including the Christ-healing, were as truly available for their need, for all need and for all time, as they were in the days of Jesus of Nazareth. As we thus recount the early days of this movement, we remember the incredulity, the scorn, the mockery which were called forth by the message of Christian Science, but there was no sign of wavering on the part of the messenger. Mrs. Eddy knew that the Science of being, the Science of the Bible, the Science of Christianity had been revealed to her, and that God's right hand was resting upon the hour. When successive and progressive steps were demanded in the establishment of the Cause, especially in the organization of The Mother Church, hers was the vision which penetrated beyond the mists of materiality and saw the availability of spiritual law in these things, as well as in the healing of the sick, and at length her faithful followers were enabled, in some measure, to see and respond to its requirements.

Meanwhile the healing of the sick and the sinful had been taking its rightful place in the history of Christianity, and kindling into an ever-greatening glow a love for the life-giving Word of Truth. Thousands who were thus healed and spiritually quickened are able to say, as did those of the olden time, "Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."

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