Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-04-21
Address BY Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy
COPIED from the Concord Monitor and pub
lished 10y request.
FIRST CHURCH or CHRIST, SCIENTIST,
CONCORD, n. III.

udlS VI our DECENTRALIZATION lllls CHuiCn Dc-
comes historic, having completed its or
ganization February 22-Washington' 5
birthday. Memorable date, all un-
thought of till the day had passed
Then we beheld the omen-Religious
Liberty the Father of the universe, and
the father of our nation in concurrence.
Today. with the large membership of
seventy-four communicates, you have
met to praise God. |, as usual, at home
aud alone, am with you in spirit, joining
III your rejoicing and my heart is ask
ing, What are the angels saying or sing
ing of this dear little flock, and what is
each heart in this house repeating, and
what is being recorded of this meeting
as with the pen of an angel?
Bear in mind always that Christianity
is not alone gift, but growth Christ
ward ii is not a creed or dogma, "a
philosophical phantasm, nor the opin-
ions of sect struggling TO gain power
over contending sects, and scourging
the one in advance of it. Christianity
is the summons of divine Love for man
TO be Christ ke-to emulate the words
and the works of our great Master. To
attain thereunto men must know some
what of the divine Principle of Jesus
life work, and prove their knowlege by
doing as he bade-"Goa and do thou like
wise"
We know Principle only through
Science. The Principle of Christ is di
vine Love, resistless Life and Truth
then its Science must be Christ like, or
Christian Science. More than regal is
the majesty of its meekness; and its
might is the ever flowing tides Of Truth
that sweep the universe, create and
govern it,-and its radiant stores of
knowledge the mysteries of exhaust
less Being. Seek we these, till you
make their treasures yours.
When young man vainly boosted Il
am wise, for | have conversed with
many wise men, Epictetus made an
swer: and / with many rich men, but
am not rich The richest blessings
are obtained by labor; and vessel full,
must be emptied, before it can be re-
filed. Lawyers may know too much of
of Divine justice and divines be too
deeply read in scholastic theology to APP |
preciate, or to demonstrate Christian |
charity. Losing the comprehensive IN |
the technical, the Principle in its ac-
cessories, cause in effect, and faith in |
sight-we lose the Science of Christian
ity; predicament quite like the man |
who could not see London for its houses. |
Clouds that swing in the sky with
dumb thunderbolts parsimonious of
rain, are seen and forgotten in the same
hour; " lille those with a mighty rush
that waken the stagnant waters, and |
solicit every root and every leaf with the
treasures of rain, ask no praising. Re-
thou canst be brought into no
be it ever so severe, where |
Love has not been before thee, and its
tender lesson is awaiting thee Therefore |
despair not nor murmur, for that which |
seeketh TO save, to heal and to deliver !
will guide thee, if thou seek this guild
ance.
Phny gives the following description
Of the character of true greatness: DO
ing what deserves TO be written, and |
writing what deserves to be read; and |
rendering the world happier and better
for having lived in it. Strive you for
the JOY and crown of such a pilgrimage |
the services of such mission.
a heart touched and hallowed by one
chord of Christian Science can accomp-
.ish the full scale but this heart must
be honest, and in earnest, and never
weary in struggling to be perfect--to re
feet the divine Life, Truth and Love.
Stand by the limpid lake, sleeping mid
willowy banks dyed with emerald; see
therein the mirrored sky and the moon
lblaze with her mild glory will stir thy
heart. Then, i'll speechless prayer, ask
Sod to enable you to reflect God-to be
come His own image and likeness-even
the calm, clear, radiant reflection of
Jhrist's glory, healing the sick, bring.
ng the sinner to repentance, and raising
The spiritually dead in trespasses and
sins to life in God. Jesus said: IF We
abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ye shall ask what We will, and it shall be
lone unto TO you"
Beloved in Christ, what our Master
said unto his disciples when he sent
hem forth to heal the sick, and preach
The gospel say unto you: "Be ye
wise as serpents, and harmless
as doves" Then, if the wisdom you
causes Christendom, or the
disclaimer against God, TO call this "a
subtle fraud, "let your peace return TO
You"