Article April 10, 1909 Issue

AMONG THE CHURCHES

The new edifice of First Church of Christ, Scientist, corner of Prospect avenue and Keene street, was dedicated with appropriate services March 14, four services being held during the day. In the historical sketch which was read at the dedication service it was stated that ten years ago the lot on which this building now stands was purchased by former Second Church of Christ, Scientist, for the purpose of erecting a church edifice thereon. The present church organization is the result of a union of former First and Second Christian Science churches, and was organized April 20, 1904. In January, 1906, Third and Fourth churches united with First Church, and having outgrown its former edifice, this church has been gradually working up to the demonstration of a new building. Ground was broken May 27, 1907, and the corner-stone laid the following August. Work progressed rapidly until the next February, when the building was destroyed by fire, rendering it necessary to tear down the walls and clear away the débris before beginning to rebuild. The work has not been hampered in any way by inactivity on the part of the members of the church, and the consideration shown in this regard has been deeply appreciated. Special recognition is due the children, whose contributions have amounted to a substantial sum of money, and they are to be commended for the spirit of unselfishness and self-denial which has been manifested by them in the giving of so large a donation.

This visible structure is a beautiful manifestation of healing, of the overcoming of obstacles in the way of seeming inharmony, lack, selfishness, and pride; of the bringing out of love, singleness of purpose, and good fellowship among its members, showing that it is in very deed built upon the foundation of Truth and Love, and that without such a foundation even the visible structure could not appear. Mrs. Eddy, in the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583), has given us the true definition of church as follows: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."—Correspondence.

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