Opening and Dedication of Churches

Editor

The opening and dedication of a Christian Science Church is a most important event. It places the work on a firmer foundation and at the same time it brings renewed hope and courage to the faithful workers who have labored and sacrificed for so noble a purpose. They have heard the "well done," and their cup of joy is full to overflowing. Not only those who helped directly or indirectly in the building of a particular church have cause for rejoicing, but all Christian Scientists, wherever they may be, in this or foreign lands, rejoice with their brethren in Christ who are permitted to worship under their own vine and figtree.

Soon after the organization of a Church of Christ, Scientist, the desire and purpose of the members to have a suitable house of worship is manifest in the starting of a Building Fund. By means of the voluntary contributions of loving friends and faithful adherents to the teachings of Christian Science, this fund grows until it is sufficient to provide a suitable church home.

These churches, wherever erected, have been a credit to the community. They are enduring monuments to the fact that divine Love is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever," a present help in every time of need. The members of these churches have experienced God's presence and power to heal disease, many of them after they had been pronounced incurable. They have in a measure gained the understanding of Truth and are making a practical use of it in all the affairs of life. This is drawing them nearer to God and causing them to realize their absolute dependence upon Him. They know that they must continue to work out their own salvation until all error is overcome by the might of Omnipotence.

To these faithful and earnest disciples of Truth the opening and dedication of their church edifice does not mean that they have reached the place where they may cease from their labors. Rather is the reverse true. They have but been preparing themselves to do valiant service for the cause of Truth. They have put on the armor of God, and, armed with the sword of the Spirit, they go forth conquering and to conquer.

If they have been called upon to practise self-denial and to sacrifice personal opinions in the building of their material temple, how much more is this necessary as they continue the grand work of proclaiming the gospel of salvation, demonstrating that unity of thought and action which is the basis of true and lasting harmony. They must become more Christ-like and be guided by that Love which is universal. Thus doing they will hold aloft the banner of Truth, and sick and suffering humanity everywhere will turn to Him who is able to save to the uttermost.

Easter Sunday, April 7, 1901, three new church edifices were formally opened for use. Opening services were held in the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, New York City; and the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago, and First Church of Christ, Scientist, Toledo, Ohio, were dedicated on that day. Interesting services were held in each of these churches, and it was necessary to repeat them two and three times to accommodate all who desired to participate. Complete and interesting reports appeared in all the prominent local papers.

We rejoice with our brethren who have been so successful in their undertakings. We hope to give in the May number of the Journal a full account of these services, including the addresses delivered.

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Editorial

Unsolved Problems of Science

April 18, 1901

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