AMONG THE CHURCHES

with contributions from Henry A. Loveland

SAN BERNARDINO, CAL.

Extensive improvements are being made in the Christian Science church in North E Street, near Seventh Street, to make room for the rapidly increasing congregation. One of the prominent members of the church is authority for the statement that the congregation had doubled in membership in the past five months.

Evening Index.

PITTSFIELD, MASS.

Simply and unostentatiously on Sunday [Dec. 8] the Christian Scientists of Pittsfield dedicated the temporary house of worship at 131 South Street.

One hundred and sixty-nine people attended the service, including numerous members of other churches who came to unite with the members of this Christian brotherhood in their hour of worship. The present average attendance at the Sunday morning service is eighty-four. The South Street location of the Christian Scientists may be regarded as a temporary meeting-place, but in reality it is a church and can be classed among the church structures of the city. Leading members of the church say they confidently expect that the building opened yesterday will not be large enough three years hence. There is no doubt that the Christian Science movement is just as much a fixture in this community as the old First church, and that in time it will be among the leading denominations of this city.

The Berkshire Eagle.

NEW HAVEN, CONN.

One of the most interesting services held by Second Church of Christ, Scientist, of New Haven, Conn., was on Thanksgiving Day, 1907, the spiritual atmosphere which prevailed being a glorious manifestation of Truth and Love. As soon as the meeting was opened for testimonies, not a moment was lost, so many were eager to tell of their gratitude to God for Christian Science, and the manifold blessings received therefrom. In less than thirty minutes thirty testimonies had been given, each and all breathing great thankfulness and joy for spiritual, moral, and physical healing. The universal love and gratitude to Mrs. Eddy which was voiced from these grateful hearts was beautiful. References to an increased love of the Bible, a changed life, ennobled desires and ambitions, all told of more than mere physical healing.

The growth of our church is encouraging, and special mention should be made of the work of the Reading Room. Some two hundred copies of Science and Health have been sold, forty-five since our last communion in July, 1907, and this tells of the earnest seeking for Truth in this city,— Henry A. Loveland, Clerk.

WARSAW, IND.

Two large congregations attended Thanksgiving and dedicatory services at First Church of Christ, Scientist, corner Detroit and Main Streets, on Thursday [Nov. 28]. As all obligations of First Church in this city had been previously discharged, the occasion was one of unusual joy and thanksgiving to the members. The total expenditure for the property, alterations, and furnishings was nearly five thousand dollars. The purchase was made a little over a year ago, and it seems quite remarkable that such a large sum should be raised by a congregation no larger than this one. A half hour was devoted to individual testimony, during which a number of ladies and gentlemen spoke of their healing through the study and practice of Christian Science.

The address of the First Reader, Mr. J. S. Shield, was in part as follows,—

As citizens of a great and glorious republic, and as brethren whose interests are woven more closely into one seamless web of universal harmony, we have abundant cause for thanksgiving and prayerful rejoicing. God has showered manifold blessing upon our Nation, State, and home, and we gather here to-day to praise His holy name. As the dawn heralds the coming day, even so do the rays of the present spiritual awakening foretell the universal acknowledgment of the light of divine Science. which is rapidly spreading its effulgence over all the world. God's word and power are unfolded to mankind through Christian Science giving undoubted evidence that the Holy Book—the Bible—is indeed the Book of Life. The Christ-Science is gaining in magnitude and approval every hour. The world is seeing more and more clearly that it is a friend, not a foe; that its mission is to feed the heart hungering after Truth, and to clothe with purity and peace the body which has been wrapped in the rags of sin, disease, and despair.

Eight years ago there was not a Christian Scientist in this locality. About that time two of the present members began the study. There are now three and twenty members belonging to this church, while many others interested and attend the services. We are truly grateful to our heavenly Father for this modest home, but we are infinitely more grateful for that which it represents—divine Principle,—Life, Truth, and Love. What this means cannot be comprehended save by those who have learned to demonstrate at least in part the healing of sin, sickness, and sorrow. We thank God that in these latter days there appeared one in whom courage and wisdom were so combined that all unchristian attacks and all cruel misrepresentations have been met with a gentletleness and forgiveness which indicates the truest Christianity and sublimest faith. The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, has ever taught tolerance and forgiveness by precept and example. Jesus commanded that at all times we overcome evil with good. To the extent that we do this we are Christian Scientists, and no farther.

Christian Science stands for the total annihilation of evil in every form, whether it be sickness, sin, sorrow, or death, and every member of the Christian Science Church must lend all possible effort to this end in order to be true to its teachings. To do this we must first cast evil out of ourselves, and thus shall we be able to aid others in the same endeavor. God will help our Cause and speed the day of harmony in proportion as we love one another and keep His commandments.

Warsaw Times.

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A TRIBUTE TO MR. ARMSTRONG

December 21, 1907

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