The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-11-10
As TO CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Views Of the Mayor Of coneOrd Who |, Mt a
Christian Scientist,

Church OF Christ, Scientist, In Con-
cord was delivered Sunday evening 10
tho church ediace, corner State and
school streets, before an audience
which completely occupied all avail.
able space IN the commodlous auditor.
lum.
Mayor Charles Il, Corning was the
presiding officer aud his introdu tory
remarks we're AS follows:
II Is not within my competency nor
Is u my purpose, 10 speak TO you this
evening concerniag Christian Science
as Christian Science, but feel that /
should not be justified on this occasion
Il failed to say n word respecting
Christian Science and lts relations 10
Concord. As the representative Of all
our people II cannot be unbecomlng 10
he mayor 10 touch briefly on this sub
ject.
We are all intensely proud OF our
city, It's traditional past, its attractive
present and It's bright promises for the
future. Whatever has been done spir.
ltually or materially, or what may
hereafter be done for the welfare OF
Concord, must meet the cordial Gp.
proyal OF every good citizen. Concord
has the reputation OF being cold aud
slow 10 respond. reserved perhaps
rather than enthusiastic. Now this
Allotment may or may not be true and
10 my opinion II does not count for
much either wav. Concord Is no doubt
conservative built Is not the conser-
satIsm OF indifference or want OF mp
probation.
1 have lived In Concord nearly ever,
nour OF my life aud know the people
sit whom / live. Do you not reco'.
ect the sentiments OF pride aud deligh,
expressed by our citizens over the
building OF this exquisite church, ana
shy noly We we're proud to behold
his stately addition 10 the most beau
tiiul aud ornate collection OF public
buildings 10 any pablo place OF
square In New Hampshire q not 10
New England. Additionally vi.
ave ia this church u source OF perpet-
nal delight. Surely we owe this church
20 say the least, to Christian Science
affection for Concord.
IL is not necessary for me TO call
your attention TO public fact, TO wit,
he movement for better public roads.
The state Itself sanctions. In Concord
however, with more than $50 miles OF
streets aud highways, alarger mileage
than any city that know, the question
Of permanent roads assumes startling
Importance. We are constru ling per-
manent streets, and believe the pub
nc heartily approve OF 1t, but the city
treasury does not bear all the burden.
Concord has good and generous
friends living all over this republic
md even 10 kingdoms aud empires be.
yond the seas, even In the common
wealth Of Australia, In all OF these
realms. Concord has got friends beg
ging TO aid us In our work OF street
making. During my first year as may.
or friends OF Mrs Eddy requested per-
mission TO pay for the concretlng OF
Main street Ia front OF the state house
and extending north to Center street.
Not penny did that work cost the
city Of Concord and the modesty OF
those generous friends keeps their
names yelled from public eyes. This
year the Christian Scientists have Civ
90 dollar for every city dollar to-
wards concreting State street and ]
feel that reveal no secret In saying
that the sources OF generous gifts are
not yet dried up, nor are they likely
70 be. speak Of these matters be
cause | want the people OF this city 10
understand the relationship existing
between the friends of our distinguish
cd townswoman, Mrs Eddy, and the
city itself. We can count the good
these people have done to Concord and
should write myself down boor aud
churl II did not express my thanks
and gratitude at all times and in all
places for the material uplift Concord
mas experienced through the Christian
Scientists.
Thus far have spoken to you as
one who by his official position assum-
ed the right to tell you whether or not
Concord owed anything TO Christian
Science. now want to say something
which good citizen is bound always
to say when the intelligence OF Con-
cord people is questioned and ridicui-
ed. | am sure you have heard OF the
muck rakers. wish might use a
better and more euphonious term; but,
following the great names OF John
Bunyan and Theodore Roosevelt, l
justify my use OF it and speak ofmuck-
raking. More than once | have re-
ceived letters from many places asking
me if | could inform the writer's as to
whether or not Mrs Eddy was alive. |
have always replied, as an honest cit
izen who wished the truth to be known,
but no reply and no assurance seemed
to have effect or to satisfy those in
search of the sensational and untrue.
Recently there have been representa-
tives of one of the great metropolitan
dailies in Concord, alleging that Mrs