Pulpit and Press Part 6

(_Boston Journal_, January 7, 1895.)

CHIMES RANG SWEETLY.

Much admiration was expressed by all those fortunate enough to listen to the first peal of the chimes in the tower of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, corner of Falmouth and Norway streets, dedicated yesterday.

The sweet, musical tones attracted quite a throng of people, who listened with delight.

The chimes were made by the United States Tubular Bell Company, of Methuen, Ma.s.s., and are something of a novelty in this country, though for some time well and favorably known in the Old Country, especially in England.

They are a subst.i.tution of tubes of drawn bra.s.s for the heavy cast bells of old-fas.h.i.+oned chimes. They have the advantage of great economy of s.p.a.ce, as well as of cost, a chime of fifteen bells not occupying a s.p.a.ce of more than five by eight feet.

Where the old-fas.h.i.+oned chimes required a strong man to ring them, these can be rung from an electric key board, and even when rung by hand require but little muscular power to manipulate them, and call forth all the purity and sweetness of their tones. The quality of tone is something superb, being rich and mellow. The tubes are carefully tuned, so that the harmony is perfect. They have all the beauties of a great Cathedral chime, with infinitely less expense.

There is practically no limit to the uses to which these bells may be put. They can be called into requisition in theatres, concert halls, and public buildings, as they range in all sizes, from those described down to little sets of silver bells that might be placed on a small centre table.

(_The Republic_, Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., February 2, 1895.)

EXTRACT.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

Mary Baker Eddy the "Mother" of the Idea.--She Has an Immense Following Throughout the United States, and a Church Costing $250,000 Was Recently Built in Her Honor at Boston.

"My faith has the strength to nourish trees as well as souls," was the remark Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the "mother" of Christian Science, made recently as she pointed to a number of large elms that shade her delightful country home, in Concord, N.H. "I had them brought here in warm weather almost as big as they are now, and not one died." This is a remarkable statement, but it is made by a remarkable woman, who has originated a new phase of religious belief, and who numbers over 100,000 intelligent people among her devoted followers.

The great hold she has upon this army was demonstrated in a very tangible and material manner recently when "The First Church of Christ, Scientist," erected at a cost of $250,000, was dedicated in Boston. This handsome edifice was paid for before it was begun, by the voluntary contributions of Christian Scientists all over the country, and a tablet imbedded in its wall declares that it was built as "a testimonial to our beloved teacher, Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, discoverer and founder of Christian Science, author of its textbook, 'SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES,' president of the Ma.s.sachusetts Metaphysical college and the first pastor of this denomination."

There is usually considerable difficulty in securing sufficient funds for the building of a new church, but such was not the experience of Rev. Mary Baker Eddy. Money came freely from all parts of the United States. Men, women, and children contributed, some giving a pittance, others donating large sums. When the necessary amount was raised the custodian of the funds was compelled to refuse further contributions in order to stop the continued inflow of money from enthusiastic Christian Scientists.

Mrs. Eddy says she discovered Christian Science in 1866. She studied the Scriptures and the sciences, she declares, in a search for the great curative principle. She investigated allopathy, homeopathy, and electricity, without finding a clew; and modern philosophy gave her no distinct statement of the science of mind healing. After careful study she became convinced that the curative principle was the Deity.

(_New York Tribune_, February 7, 1895.)

EXTRACT.

Boston has just dedicated the first church of the Christian Scientists in commemoration of the founder of that sect, the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, drawing together 6,000 people to partic.i.p.ate in the ceremonies, showing that belief in that curious creed is not confined to its original apostles and promulgators, but that it has penetrated what is called the New England mind to an unlooked-for extent, in inviting the Eastern churches and the Anglican fold to unity with Rome, the Holy Father should not overlook the Boston sect of Christian Scientists, which is rather small and new, to be sure, but is undoubtedly an interesting faith and may have a future before it, whatever att.i.tude Rome may a.s.sume toward it.

(_Journal_, Kansas City, Mo., January 10, 1895.)

EXTRACT.

GROWTH OF A FAITH.

Attention is directed to the progress which has been made by what is called Christian Science by the dedication at Boston of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist." It is a most beautiful structure of gray granite, and its builders call it their "prayer in stone," which suggests to recollection the story of the cathedral of Amiens, whose architectural construction and arrangement of statuary and paintings made it to be called the Bible of that city. The Frankish church was reared upon the spot where, in pagan times, one bitter winter day, a Roman soldier parted his mantle with his sword and gave half of the garment to a naked beggar; and so was memorialized in art and stone what was called the divine spirit of giving, whose unbelieving exemplar afterward became a saint. The Boston church similarly expresses the faith of those who believe in what they term the divine art of healing, which, to their minds, exists as much to-day as it did when Christ healed the sick.

The first church organization of this faith was founded fifteen years ago with a members.h.i.+p of only twenty-six, and since then the number of believers has grown with remarkable rapidity, until now, there are societies in every part of the country. This growth, it is said, proceeds more from the graveyards than from conversions from other churches, for most of those who embrace the faith claim to have been rescued from death miraculously under the injunction to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper, and cast out demons." They hold with strict fidelity to what they conceive to be the literal teachings of the Bible as expressed in its poetical and highly figurative language.

Altogether the belief and service are well suited to satisfy a taste for the mystical which, along many lines, has shown an uncommon development in this country during the last decade, and which is largely Oriental in its choice. Such a rapid departure from long respected views as is marked by the dedication of this church, and others of kindred meaning, may reasonably excite wonder as to how radical is to be this encroachment upon prevailing faiths, and whether some of the pre-Christian ideas of the Asiatics are eventually to supplant those in company with which our civilization has developed.

(_Montreal Daily Herald_ Sat.u.r.day, February 2, 1895.)

EXTRACT.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

Sketch of Its Origin and Growth--The Montreal Branch.

"If you would found a new faith, go to Boston," has been said by a great American writer. This is no idle word, but a fact borne out by circ.u.mstances. Boston can fairly claim to be the hub of the logical universe, and an accurate census of the religious faiths which are to be found there to-day, would probably show a greater number of them than even Max O'Rells famous enumeration of John Bull's creeds.

Christian Science, or the principle of divine healing, is one of those movements which seek to give expression to a higher spirituality.

Founded twenty-five years ago, it was still practically unknown a decade since, but to-day it numbers over a quarter of a million of believers, the majority of whom are in the United States, and is rapidly growing.

In Canada, also, there is a large number of members. Toronto and Montreal have strong churches, comparatively, while in many towns and villages single believers or little knots of them are to be found.

It was exactly 100 years from the date of the Declaration of Independence, when on July 4, 1876, the first Christian Scientist a.s.sociation was organized by seven persons, of whom the foremost was Mrs. Eddy. The church was founded in April. 1879, with twenty-six members, and a charter was obtained two months later. Mrs. Eddy a.s.sumed the pastors.h.i.+p of the church during its early years, and in 1881 was ordained, being now known as the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.

The Ma.s.sachusetts Metaphysical College was founded by Mrs. Eddy in 1881, and here she taught the principles of the faith for nine years. Students came to it in hundreds from all parts of the world, and many are now pastors or in practice. The college was closed in 1889, as Mrs. Eddy felt it necessary for the interests of her religious work to retire from active contact with the world. She now lives in a beautiful country residence in her native state.

(_The American_, Baltimore, Md., January 14, 1895.)

EXTRACT.

MRS. EDDY'S DISCIPLES.

It is not generally known that a Christian Science congregation was organized in this city about a year ago. It now holds regular services in the parlor of the residence of the pastor, at 1414 Linden avenue. The dedication in Boston last Sunday of the Christian Science Church, called the Mother Church, which cost over $200,000, adds interest to the Baltimore organization. There are many other church edifices in the United States owned by Christian Scientists. Christian Science was founded by Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy. The Baltimore congregation was organized at a meeting held at the present location on February 27, 1894.