I cannot help giving you a little talk concerning the building of the long-looked-for and much-desired First Church of Christ (Scientist) of Boston, which is to be a home for all Scientists everywhere; and which is also to be the combined headquarters for the Christian Science Publishing Society, for the Dispensary, for meetings—and, in short, for everything that concerns the Cause of Christian Science and its work.
It is now several months since, in one of our monthly meetings, I first agitated anew the subject of our dear church. As the good result of this, I am very happy to see that to-day the Church Building Fund (of which Alfred Lang, of Lawrence, Mass., is treasurer) amounts to nearly $8,000, including ready cash and pledges. We need more, however, and I know that everyone who has an interest in Christian Science, whether patient or practitioner, active or inactive, wants to give liberally according to his and her means—considering it a great privilege to be permitted to contribute toward the building of this Christian Science Home.
I think that I am correct in the statement that there are. in this country and the British Dominions combined, over one hundred thousand people who love Christian Science for the good they have received from it; and I feel sure that these hundred thousand people are willing to give more than one dollar each, toward the building of that home. In addition to this, there has come to me a plan which, if faithfully carried out by us all, will build this Christian Science Home in one year, and cost no one any money. It comes to me in this way: Our blessed teacher has lately given to the world a great message of Love from God, in the new edition of SCIENCE AND HEALTH, which every one who loves Christian Science, treasures as the "pearl of great price" — which indeed it is! Right here we now have before us the means for all to take part in the building of that home; and, in utilizing it, to be doubly useful to the Cause of God (Good) and humanity. For example: The retail price of this book is $3. 00; postage, 18c. additional. At wholesale, one dozen copies shipped to one address can be procured at the rate of 2.50 per copy — larger orders securing still larger margin of discount. Now, let us all, as self-constituted agents, set ourselves to work to sell that book — freighted as it is with good tidings of great joy — and to sell as many copies as we can; then, bowing our head to the Divine Principle, (Good) let each one of us promise himself and herself to devote the profit resulting from the sale of each book to the building fund of our Church and Home. In this way, I am sure that within a year from this date there will be more money in the treasury than is needed to build this church. Why, why dear brothers and sisters are we not to look to God, our Divine Principle, for all things? Then why not let His blessed message be the means of building for us our church and home this city not only, but in every city, town and village everywhere? As God is Limitless Love, it is His desire that we should advance from country to country, from nation to nation, and carry with us this loved message; that all may learn, by demonstration, the omnipresence of God (Good). To this end let us work and keep awake, beloved brethren lest, if we fall asleep, the light go out and we become like the "foolish virgins."
