THE fourth annual meeting of the Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., was held in the auditorium of the Mother Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1896, commencing at 2 o'clock P. M. The attendance was much the largest of any annual meeting yet held, it being estimated that there were upwards of one thousand present. These included Scientists from almost every part of this country and some from across the water, both England and Scotland being represented. This fact was especially gratifying as was also the unusually large representation from the Southern States, indicating as it does the rapidity with which the Mother Church is spreading her beneficent and healing branches over those parts of Truth's vineyard.
It seems to us no exaggeration to say, that a more spiritual and harmonious atmosphere pervaded this assemblage than that of any former occasions of like kind, since the days when the Mother in person attended and imparted to them the indefinable inspiration of her presence.
The retiring president, Edward P. Bates, called the meeting to order, and said:
