The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-06-11
Continued from page II

phenomenon" II should be noted that
in this statement Mrs. Eddy capitalize:
the word Mind thus making 1t synony
nous with deity and thus designating
the divine Mind as the only cause ol
creator. 1t follows, in her philosophy
that the universe is in reality spiritual
though it does not so appear to our
present immature apprehension. Chris
tiau Science thus bases its entire modus
operandi upon the proposition that God
is the only real Mind. In Christian
Science il is maintained that through the
realization of the supremacy of the di.
vine Mind healing is effected even as
light dispels the darkness, on the basis
that light is real while darkness is un.
real and therefore cannot remain in its
presence. Thus it is that in Christian
Science healing there is no pretence of
human force. but rather Welding OF
human will to the divine.
History declares that from early child
hood Mrs. Eddy had been spiritually in.
clined and that even in her youthful days
she was interested in dep, religious
subjects and philosophic study. One who
knew her well in her girlhood has re.
ferred to her gift OF expression as very
marked, and that she often conversed
with her pastor upon subjects which
were too deep for him to follow. Her
superior ability, her breadth and inde-
pendence of though. and her spiritual
mindedness, were all prophetic OF that
eminence as teacher. an organizer and
leader to which she has attained, and
to those who have followed the course
of events in te advance OF the Christian
Science movement. Mrs. Eddy's far-see-
ing wisdom, initiative insight and execu-
tive ability have become more and more
impressive.
The original Mother Church" which
adoins the new building seats about
200. and yet three Sunday services are
required to accommodate the attendance
1t is said that when this edifice was
planned some OF the members were dis
turbed on account Of its size. They
thought hiatt the provision of 50 large
an auditorium was entirely uncalled for.
the attendance at that time being only
about $50.
Mrs. Eddy organized the First Church
of Christ, Scientist in Boston in 1879
with twenty-six members. So slow was
the growth Of the movement at first
that in 1889, ten years later, there were
only eleven churches. From that time
however, the growth wa, more rapid. In
1899. there were 30l churches. At the
present time. 1906, there are G57 churches
and 251 societies and not yet organized
as churches, making 1872 Societies holding
church services. In 1889 there were
only $50 members in the entire cOnnec-
ton. In 1894 the total membership was
2j36. Five years later it had reached
1874. These figures show that the
principal growth has taken place during
the past seven years. The membership
at the present time is about 1900, but
that there aIe multitudes interested in
the movement outside Of the actual
church membership is evidenced by the
large attendance at the Christian Science
service, and the fact thai nearly 100000
copies Of the Christian Science text
book are at present in circulation.
Christian Scientists are particularly
careful to deny the allegation that their
attitude toward Mrs. Eddy is other than
that Of grateful and loving recognition
Of their debt to her and respect for her
undoubted ability. In a recent letter
to the directors Of the Mother Church,
Mrs.. Eddy herself says Now iy the
time to throttle the lie that students
worship me, Or that claim their hom-
age In keeping with this thought
Mrs. Eddy issued the following state
ment, which appeared in the Christian
Science Sentinel Of April 28, 1906.
"To the beloved members Of my