The Springfield herald., 1906-06-15
HOME DEDICATED
GREAT CHRISTIAN SCIENCE TEN
PIE AT BOSTON,.
FORTY THOUSAND PRESENT
Vast Building Filled at Each of Six
Scrvices-Dedicatory Address by
Mrs. Eddy Read at All of
the Services

Boston.-One of the most remark
able demonstrations ever witnessed N
New England occurred Sunday, when
the new Sl,000,000 Christian Science
dedicated.
From every state in the Union and
from all parts of the world came peo
pie 10 be at the dedicatory services
600 Christian Scientists were in the
city. Six services We're held to ac-
commodate the vast throngs, but even
then thousands were unable to gain
admission to the temple.
The seating capacity of the new edi-
fee exceeds 5000 and at each service
Sunday hundreds stood in the aisles
and rear of the church.
The first service was held at I
o'clock Sunday morning. AS early as
l O'Clock hundreds Of Christian Scien.
lists were standing in line waiting pa.
tiently Tor the doors to open. AT
O'Clock there were at least 5000 in the
street opposite the church and an hour
later the number had swollen to 5000.
At Z O'Clock there were 10000 persons
waiting.
AS quickly as one service was com
pleted and the congregation had de.
parted the temple was filed again, and
there We're thousands of people out.
side who were unable to get in.
The services were identical and each
service was about two hours in length.
The meeting combined both the an,
nual reunion and dedicatory exercises
1t consisted of tha-usuai Christian
Science opening exercises, the reading
of the tenets of the Church, a dedica
tory address prepared by Mrs. Mary
Baker Eddy and read by w. d. Mac
Cracken. first reader of the church, and
a lesson sermon especially prepared
At the close of the lesson sermon, in
addition to the usual custom. in re
sponse to an invitation of the first
reader. the entire congregation knelt
in silent communion. followed by the
audible recitation of the Lords prayer
The congregational singing was q
feature OF the services. Al the close
of each service Edward A. kimball OF
Chicago presented a reply OF thanks to
Mrs Eddy for her dedicatory address
and for her general work in behalf oi
the church.
In her address referring especially
to the dedication of the new temple
Mrs. Eddy wrote:
Beloved, am not with you in pro-
pria persona at this memorable dedl
cation and communion season; but
am with you in spirit and in truth
lovingly thanking your generosity and
loyalty and saying virtually with the
prophets, Continue to choose whom ye
will serve
I'VE have industriously and wisely
provided for the mother church o
Christ Scientist, magnificent temple
wherein TO enter and pray. am great
ly impressed and encouraged thereby
deeply do thank you for this proof o.
your progress, unity and love.
THE edifice of the mother churcl
of Christ Scientist began with the
cross. Its extension is the crownins
ultimate rise to mental monument
a superstructure high above the works
of mems hands. even the outcome oI
their hearts, giving TO the material &
special Significance, the special beauty
and achievements of goodness. me
thinks this church is the one edifce
on earth which most prefigures self
abnegation, hope, faith, love, catching
a glimpse Of glory"
The temple, which is entirely free
from debt, is one of the most imposing
structures in Boston and is said to be
the largest church in New England.
Christian Scientists all over the
world have aided in its construction
which has occupied more than two
years.