Editorial June 23, 1906 Issue

The Appeal of a Great Occasion

Annie M. Knott

Our annual Communion and the dedication of the Extension of The Mother Church are over, and this happy and holy experience has become a part of our expanding consciousness of Truth, to abide with us and enable us better to work out the purposes of divine Love. It was scarcely possible to repress a feeling of exultation as friend met friend at every turn with words of rejoicing; and even the greetings and congratulations of those not of our faith seemed to say that all the world was in some degree sharing in our joy. But within our sacred edifice there came a deeper feeling, a feeling of awe and of reverence beyond words,—a new sense of the magnitude of Christian Science,—this revelation of divinity which has come to the present age. Grandly does our temple symbolize this revelation, in its purity, stateliness, and vastness; but even more impressive than this was the presence of the thousands who had come, as the Master predicted, "from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south" to tell by their presence that they had been healed by Christ, Truth, and had found the kingdom of God.

As one thought upon the significance of the occasion, the achievements of our beloved Leader, and her relation to the experiences of the hour, took on a larger and truer meaning. The glories of the realm of infinite Mind, revealed to us through her spiritual attainments and her years of toil, encompassed us, and hearts were thrilled with tender gratitude and love for all that she has done. If to-day we feel a pardonable pride in being known as Christian Scientists, it is because our Leader has made the name an honored one before the world.

In her dedicatory message to The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy says, "The first commandment of the Hebrew Decalogue, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me,' and the Golden Rule are the all-in-all of Christian Science." In all her writings, through all the years of her leadership, she has been teaching her followers both by precept and example how to obey this Commandment and Rule, and her success in so doing is what constitutes the high standing of Christian Science before the world. Fearlessly does she warn all her followers against the indulgence of the sins which would prevent the realization of ideal manhood—the reign of the Christ—and now it is ours to address ourselves with renewed faith and love to the high and holy task of overcoming all that is unlike God, and thus proving our worthiness to be "living stones" in the universal temple of Spirit, and worthy members of The Mother Church before men. Annie M. Knott.

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