The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-17


vice OF the annual communion OF the
First Church of Christ. Scientist. held in
Mechanics Hall yesterday morning.
Many others attended the other services
of the same character that followed.
The hall was lavishly decorated with
bunting and presented a brilliant spec
tacle. The stage was banked with palms
and bay trees, with huge punches OF
peonies lining the front.
on the stage were seated Judge s. j..
Hanna, "hrst reader who conducted
the services Mrs. Eldora Bragg, sec
and reader" and Professor Richard W.
Gone.
II was announced that during the
year 27S4 people had Joined the church,
making a total membership OF 2l,6Sl.
The message from Mrs. Mary Baker
G. Eddy was impressively read by Pro-
fessor Cone. IL said in parts
Another year OF Gods loving provi-
dence for his people in times of perse-
cution has marked the history OF Chris
tion Science. With no special effort TO
achieve this result, our church commune
cants constantly Increase In number,
unity, steadfastness EVIL, though COM
bined in formidable conspiracy. is made
'The wrath OF man shall praise him. and
the remainder thereof he will restrain.
| whatever seems calculated 10 displace
or dscredit the ordinary systems OF re-
ligious beliefs and opinions, wrestling
only with material observation. has
always met with opposition and detrac-
tion; this ought not so TO be, for sys-
! tenn that honors God and benefits man
/ kind should be welcomed and sustained.
/ While Christian Science engaging the at
tention OF philosopher and sage is cir
cling the globe, only the earnest. honest
/ Investigator sees through the mist Of
mortal strife this day star and whittier
It guides
ITO live and let live. without clamor
for distinction or recognition; 10 walt on
divine love; TO write truth first on the
tablet Of ones own heart-this Is the
canity and perfection of living. and my
human ideal
"The present notifications In ecclesi-
asticism are an outcome OF progress;
dogmatism, relegated to the past. gives
place 10 a more spiritual manifestation,
wherein Christ is Alpha and Omega. III
was an Inherent characteristic OF my
nature. a kind -birthmark,- TO love the
church: and the church once loved me.
Then why not remain friends, or at least
agree TO disagree. in love--part fair foes.
/ never left the church. either In heart
or in doctrine; i but began where tine
church left off.
THE loosening cords OF non-Christian
religions in the Orient are apparent. 1t
Is cause for Joy that among the edu-
Gated classes Buddhism and Shintoism
are said 10 be regarded now more az
philosophy than as a religion.
II rejoice that the president OF the
United States has put an end at Charles
ton. to any lingering sense OF the North's
half-hostility TO the South thus rein
al IL al ....li.. IL
Joy In the sisterhood of states.
Our nations forward step was the
inauguration OF home rule IN Cuba-our
military forces Withdrawing and leaving
her in the enjoyment of self-government
under improved laws. II is well that our
government. In It's brief occupation or
that pearl OF the ocean. has so improved
her public school system that her dusky
children are learning TO read and write.
THE world rejoces with our sister ma
tion over the close of the conflict In South
Africa: now. British and Boer may pros
per In peace. wiser at the close than the
beginning Of war The dazzling diadem
Of royalty will set easier on the brow OF
good King Edward-the mufiied fear or
death and triumph canker not his coro-
nation, and woman's thoughts-the JOY
OF the sainted queen and the lay
OF angels, hallow the ring o. state.
Let us all pray at this communion
season for more grace. more fulhlled
life and spiritual understanding. bringing
music to the ear. rapture TO the heart
. fathomless peace between soul and
sense-and that our work be as worthy
rs our words.
MY subject today embraces the first
commandment In the Hebrew decologue
and the new commandment I'm the gospel
Of peace, both ringing like soft vesper
chimes adown the corridors of time, and
echoing and re-echoing through the meas
ureless rounds OF eternity.
THE first commandment Thou shalt
have no other gods before me- is law
never to be -abrogated-a divine statute
for yesterday and today and forever.
christian Science stills all distress over
doubtful interpretations Of the Bible: II
lights the fires OF the Holy Ghost and
floods the world with the baptism OF
Jesus. 1t is this ethereal flame, this al
most unconceived light of divine love,
that heaven husbands In the first COM
mandment
"The Latin omni. which signifies all.
used as an English prefix 10 the words
potence, presence. science, signify ALL
power, all-presence. all-sciehce Use
these words TO define God. and nothing is
left TO consciousness but love. without
beginning and without end even the for
ever | Am. and All. than which there is
naught else. Thus we have scriptural
authority for divine metaphysics-spirit-
hal man and the universe coexistent with
God. No other logical conclusions can he
drawn from the premises. and no other
scientific proposition can be Christianly
entertained.
THE law and the gospel concur, and
both Will be fulfilled. II is necessary 20
say that the likeness of Cod spirit Is
spiritual. and the likeness Of love is low
tng? The spiritually minded and inspired
with tenderness. truth and love. The life
ef Christ Jesus. his words and his deeds
demonstrate love. We havo no evidence
OF being Christian Scientists except we
possess this inspiration and It's power TO
heal and 10 save. The energy that saves
sinners and heals the sick Is divine. and
love f. the principle thereof.
Religions in general admit that man
becomes finally spiritual. IL such Is
mans ultimate, his predicate tending
ttere'n is correct and inevitably spirtiu-
ol Wherefore then smlte the reformer
~no itncs the more spiritual way. short
ems the distance, discharges burcensome
baggage and Increases the speed OF NOR
tails transit from matter 20 spirlt--yca
from sin 20 holiness.
"If postal service. a stehm engine n
submarine cable. a wireless telegraph