A memorable Fourth of July, indeed, will be that of Anno Domini, 1897, in the annals of Christian Science. We deem it not boastful to say that never was assembled in celebration of any nation's natal day a more devout or thankful set of people than those who gathered in "concord" at Concord on July 5th last.
The Communion Day at the Mother Church would, of itself, have been regarded by those participating as a glorious celebration of the Day of Independence. But when to this was added the reception by our beloved Mother to the church members and a few others specially invited, the joy of the Communion ripened into a sense of gratitude and thankfulness that had no "human" means of expressing itself.
At each recurring Communion Day there is a hope, if not an eager expectation, that the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy will appear in her Church at Boston, and participate in the service. Many, doubtless, came to Boston in this hope and expectation. The attendance was therefore very large, the auditorium being filled to overflowing. All present who were members of the Mother Church were, of course, included in the invitation, and this of itself made up a very respectable Fourth of July party, especially as the entertainment was to take place on private grounds in a private way.
Before the invitation was read in church, however, the newspapers had gotten "wind" that there was something "in the air," and enough was said to send the word over the country so that many more were there than had been contemplated; and besides the more than fifteen hundred that went from Boston, many came from other places, some by rail, some in private conveyances, and some, perhaps, on foot, so that the "private party" had swelled to proportions of not less than twenty-five hundred by the time the exercises began.
At the close of each service on Communion Day in the Mother Church, the First Reader read the following invitation:—
My Beloved Church:—
I invite you, one and all, to Pleasant View, Concord, New Hampshire, on July 5th, at 12.30 P. M., if you would enjoy so long a trip for so small a purpose as simply seeing Mother.
My precious Busy Bees, under twelve years of age, are requested to visit me at a later date, which I hope soon to name to them.
With love, Mother,
Pleasant View, Concord, N. H., June 30, 1897.
A notice of the time and place of departure as well as the arrangements made, was also read. The trains were to leave the Union Station at half past nine o'clock Monday morning, ushers being appointed to show the way to the cars, and the sale of tickets being provided for in such a way that all could be accommodated. Before eight o'clock the crowd began to assemble, and even before the schedule time all were aboard, and two heavily loaded trains pulled out with their precious freight of joyous, thankful hearts. And although the "material senses" would have it that the thermometer ranged high, way up into the nineties, there was little complaint, all sense of heat being driven away by the realization of "the nothingness of matter and allness of Mind," the joyous anticipation of the privileges and blessings of the occasion going far toward assisting the "realization."
Arriving at Concord on time, the guests found waiting to convey them to Pleasant View, all the public carriages and conveyances that could be secured, indeed, all, we understand, that the city afforded, and by some means, the entire party arrived promptly on the grounds, in eager readiness to receive all that was in store for them.
Among the invited guests were some of Concord's best known citizens, including the Hon. A. B. Woodworth, mayor of the city. The others were General and Mrs; F. S. Streeter, General and Mrs. J. N. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Sargent, Professor and Mrs. J. F. Kent, Dr. and Mrs. E. Morrill, Rev. F. D. Ayer, Mr. W. F. Thayer, president First National Bank, Judge B. F. Badger, and S. E. Burroughs, Esq. Seated on the piazza were Mayor Woodworth, the Hon. Henry M. Baker, — late member of Congress from the Concord district, a cousin of Mrs. Eddy, — Gen. E. N. Bates of Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Kimball of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Metcalf of Boston, Mrs. Isham of New York (who, by the way, is a granddaughter of that great statesman and patriot, Abraham Lincoln, — fitting guest for such an occasion), Mrs. Judge W. G. Ewing of Chicago, Mrs. Effie Andrews of New York, Rev. George Tomkins, D.D., of New York, Mrs. Rose E. Kent of Jamestown, N. Y., Judge and Mrs. S. J. Hanna, Prof. W. P. McKenzie, Rev. Irving C. Tomlinson of Boston, and others.
At about one o'clock the assemblage was called to order by Mr. Edward P. Bates, who came from inside the house in company with "our Mother," as all delighted to call her. Immediately upon Mrs. Eddy's appearance the audience united in a spontaneous chorus of three cheers of greeting and joy, which she graciously acknowledged with a smile of responsive joy and bow of welcome.
The Boston Herald thus describes her personal appearance: "She was the picture of health and energy for a lady of her years."
The Boston Globe reports her face thus: "The profile is sharp and keen, and the face in full view is extremely delicate and tender — motherly more nearly expresses it. She wore a royal purple silk dress covered with black lace, over her silver-white hair was a dainty bonnet. On her breast was a cross of diamonds, the one important ornament she wore."
In addition to the ornament mentioned, Mrs. Eddy, most appropriately on this day, wore her badge of ruby and diamonds as a Daughter of the Revolution, presented to her by one of her many loving students. After the applause occasioned by Mrs. Eddy's appearance had subsided, Mr. Bates introduced Hon. A. B. Woodworth, mayor of Concord, who delivered the following appropriate address:—
"Ladies and gentlemen: It gives me great pleasure to comply with the request of Mrs. Eddy, that, as mayor of Concord, I should welcome you to our city. This I do with the most cordial feeling possible, for I recognize the fact that I see before me a great company of men and women who have come from all parts of the country to express their devotion to the religion of God and of Christ, the great healer, as it has been the more clearly revealed through the insight and the power of her who has bidden you here. May this day be one long to be remembered as the occasion when you saw her whom you most delight to honor, in her beautiful home and surrounded by the charming scenery she loves so well."
At the conclusion of the Mayor's address, Mr. Bates remarked that the audience needed no introduction to Mrs. Eddy, nor she to it, as all knew her, though some had never before seen her. She then delivered in her usual calm, dignified, and impressive way the following address:
"My Beloved Brethren:—Coming all the way from the Pacific to the Atlantic shore, from the Palmetto to the Pine-Tree State, I greet you; and if to-day, even, my hand may not touch yours, my heart will, and with tenderness untalkable. His honor, Mayor Woodworth, has welcomed you to Concord most graciously; voicing the friendship of this city and of my native state, loyal to the heart's core to religion, home, friends, and country.
"To-day we commemorate not only our nation's civil and religious freedom, but a greater, even the liberty of the sons of God; the inalienable rights and radiant reality of Christianity, whereof our Master said, 'The works that I do ye shall do,' and, 'The kingdom of God cometh not with observation' (with knowledge obtained from the senses), but 'The kingdom of God is within you,' within the present possibilities of mankind.
"Think of this, Heaven right here, where angels are men clothed more lightly, and men as angels, who, burdened for an hour, spring into liberty, and the good they would do, they do, and the evil they would not do, they do not.
"From the falling leaves of old-time faiths men learn a parable of the period, that all error, physical, moral, or religious, will fall before Truth demonstrated, even as dry leaves fall to enrich the soil for fruitage.
"Divine Metaphysics classifies thought thus: Right thoughts are reality and power, wrong thoughts are unreality and powerless, possessing the nature of dreams. Good thoughts are potent, and evil thoughts impotent; and they should appear thus. Continuing this category, we learn that sick thoughts are unreality and weakness, while healthy thoughts are reality and strength. My proof of these novel propositions is demonstration, whereby any man can satisfy himself of their verity.
"Sin, sickness, and disease flee before the evangel of Truth as the mountain mists before the sun. Truth is the tonic for the sick, and this medicine of Mind is not necessarily infinitesimal but infinite. Herein the mental medicine of Christian Science and the medical systems of allopathy and homoeopathy differ. Mental medicine gains no potency by attenuation, and its largest dose is never dangerous, but the more the better in every case.
"Christian Science is not only the acme of Science but the crown of Christianity. It is universal. It appeals to man as man, to the whole and not a portion; to man physically, as well as spiritually; and to all mankind.
"It has one God. It demonstrates the divine Principle, rules, and practice of the great Healer and Master of Metaphysics, Jesus of Nazareth. It spiritualizes religion, and restores its lost element, namely, healing the sick. It consecrates and inspires the teacher and preacher; it equips the doctor with safe and sure medicine; it encourages the business man and secures the success of honesty. It is the dear children's toy and strong tower; the wise man's spiritual dictionary; the poor man's money, yea, it is the pearl priceless, the treasure hid in a field, whereof our Master said, If a man findeth it, he goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth it. Buyeth it! Note the scope of that saying, even that Christianity is not merely a gift, as Saint Paul avers, but is bought with a price, a great price; and what man knoweth, as did our Master, its value, and the price that he paid for it.
"The human ignorance of Mind, and of the saving power and recuperative energies of Truth, occasions the only skepticism regarding the theology, pathology, and practicality of Christian Science.
"Friends, I am not enough of the new woman of the period, but too much of the old, for outdoor speaking, and the platform is not broad enough for me; but the speakers who will now address you (one a Congressman), may improve our platforms and make amends for the nothingness of matter with the allness of Mind."
We do not know if all heard Mrs. Eddy's voice so as to distinguish what she said, but one gentleman, whose position was on the outskirts of the crowd, in direct line with her voice, informed us that he was able to hear every word, so penetrating a quality has her voice.
There is a peculiarity of her manner that is especially noticeable, — the utter freedom from anything like sensationalism or the mesmeric effect that so many speakers seem to exert. Calm, impassioned, but strong and convincing, are the characteristics both of her manner and statements. Accompanying these qualities is an indefinable sweetness, expressing truly the great Mother-love, that takes captive the hearts of her hearers.
Mr. Bates next introduced the Hon. Henry M. Baker, who, in clear, calm, and easy conversational tones delivered an exceedingly able and interesting address, appropriate as well to the day in general as the special occasion. He referred in tender words to "our Mother," saying her heart was large enough to include us all in its great love, reaching as it did from one end of the Republic to the other. He dwelt briefly upon the significance of the great Independence Day, in its national and international aspects, emphasized the importance of good citizenship as a necessary condition of good government, and impressed upon his hearers their duty, as apostles of a larger liberty, in the careful and faithful exercise of the elective franchise. He quoted the words of John Robinson, the noted Pilgrim preacher, prophesying that the Lord had more of Light and Truth to impart to His people, and expressed it as his opinion that Christian Science was fulfilling these larger prophecies.
These kindly sentiments coming from one who, although not a Christian Scientist, yet has had the best of opportunities for observing the growth, progress, and results of Christian Science, and especially of Mrs. Eddy's labors in establishing and promulgating it, were, as a matter of course, most keenly appreciated by those present, as they will be by the many thousands of absentees.
We regret our inability to publish Mr. Baker's address in full, but as it was delivered without manuscript or note we are obliged to forego that privilege.
The next speaker was Mr. Septimus J. Hanna. We quote the following synopsis of his remarks as given by the newspapers:—
"He had heard much said about the patriot fathers, but little about the patriot mothers. As Christian Science was peculiarly a woman's movement, a word of tribute on this occasion was due to the patriot mothers. 'Our beloved Mother,'" he continued, "had been pioneering for more than thirty years for the independence not only of this country, but of the whole world. Until we understand that we are children, not of the flesh, but of the eternal God, we shall not attain to perfect independence. To reflect God is a possibility to all, and just in proportion as we demonstrate this mighty fact are we true citizens. I know how your hearts well up in gratitude to our Mother for this ever-memorable expression of her love for us." At his suggestion a loud Amen was then given as evidence of this gratitude.
The Rev. George Tomkins, D.D., of New York, was the next speaker. His remarks also were delivered without manuscript or note,—as, indeed, were all the following speakers,—and we are able therefore to give only a brief synopsis. He earnestly, but somewhat humorously, referred to his conversion from "religiosity," and declared he had been resurrected from the grave of old Baptist theology to the Christianity of Christ as it was taught and demonstrated in Christian Science. He felt that the Saviour of mankind had said to him, through the teachings of Christian Science, as he had said to those about the resurrected Lazarus as he came forth from the tomb bound by the cerements of burial of his day, "Loose him, and let him go." He also paid a loving tribute to "our Mother" for what she had done for him, for it was to the light she had thrown upon the Scriptures that he was indebted for his "resurrection."
Following him was Prof. W. P. McKenzie, who said in part:—
"We were all lost children, misled by many voices professing to give us Truth; but we never learned it until it came through you, our Mother, in the English tongue, which is now universal in the world as Greek was in Jesus' time. When the world hears the message of Love, the English language will become the mother tongue. The English nation extends itself by accretion. It gives the protection of justice to subject peoples. This country makes progress by growth from within; the multitudes who come seeking freedom, equality, mercy, are assimilated. To them it is the mother country. It will be so in a wider sense, because it brings forth for the world saving ideas. 'Freedom to worship God,' was established by the Pilgrim Fathers. The idea born in the Civil War was Union, — union of man with man. The Revolution had established the freedom of the people, but this brought out the freedom of the individual and abolished slavery. In these latter days has been born the highest idea of all, — union of man with God; and in Christian Science this true at-one-ment is given to the world, giving back to man all good. We have the universal tongue, the prepared country, the Leader whom God appointed. Shall this prepared people count anything as loss that they may have to give up in laboring for the independence—the liberty—of the sons of God?"
Rev. Irving C. Tomlinson was the next speaker. He referred touchingly to his adoption of Christian Science and admission to the Mother Church on the day previous, saying he was just one day old, and that he rejoiced at the fact of being one of the fourteen hundred who had, on the day of our national independence, been admitted to membership in that Church which stood for true liberty. He said in part:—
"The first word that comes to me is the dear word that children first speak, and that word is 'Mother.' A word which we know will grow dearer and more dear as time shall fade into eternity. Mother, the thought that is closest the heart of each one of thy children gathered before thee, is the thought of gratitude. We thank thee for this day, — for all it now is and for all it shall be to us. Loyalty is the child of Love, and the child best shows its loyalty to Mother by labor for her cause. The pilgrimage to Concord means labor for concord. We know that this day's blessing for ourselves means to-morrow's service for humanity. And now on this day, dear to all, type of our true Soul-liberty, and here in this fair spot, symbol of universal peace and harmony, we dedicate to thee and to the Cause, with loving hearts and loyal hands, all we are, all we have, and all we hope to be."
The next speaker was Capt. John F. Linscott of Washington, D. C., whom Mr. Bates introduced as "an old war horse," the captain having valiantly served his country in the War of the Rebellion. In his usual vigorous and telling manner, the captain proclaimed the Gospel of Liberty and Independence as it had been revealed in Christian Science, declaring: "God is all in all; this is our Declaration of Independence to the whole world." He paid a loving tribute to "our Mother," and as a veteran Christian Scientist as well as a veteran of the war, he rang out in stentorian tones, words of love and help to all.
Gen. Erastus N. Bates was introduced as another "war horse." The general led many a charge in the war with a faithfulness and courage that presaged well his greater charges that, with undaunted courage, he has made against the one enemy of mankind since joining the great army of Christian Scientists, in which he also is a veteran. He spoke feelingly of what Christian Science had done for him. At the close of the war he returned to his home a physical wreck, his days numbered by his friends and physicians, his own expectations of life limited to a very short time. Christian Science brought him out of what was virtually his grave, and is it strange, in view of this, that his heart should now overflow with love and gratitude toward her to whom, in an especial sense, he owes the preservation of his earthly life, so that he has now reached well-nigh his four-score years and ten? Is it strange that with beaming countenance he should close his eloquent remarks with this peroration? "Through our Mother we have learned to know what it means to be heirs of God. I owe all that I am and all that I have to Christian Science."
Among the many letters of regret received was the following from Judge Ewing of Chicago:—
Superior Court, Chambers, Chicago, Ill., William G. Ewing, Judge.
My Dear Mrs. Eddy:—I am greatly disappointed that I cannot accept your kind invitation to meet you at your home. Public duties that I cannot postpone or neglect, imperatively demand my presence in the court room. I am in truth,
Your friend,
After the literary exercises were over the guests looked about over the spacious and beautiful grounds surrounding the Mother's peaceful residence, refreshing themselves with lemonade provided for them by her, and served in the shade of a fine group of trees at one end of the grounds.
Some misapprehension grew out of a telegram sent to Kansas City, to correct which an explanatory note was read just before the dismissal of the meeting. It seems that this explanatory note required some "explanation," and this is done most justly to all in the following
CARD
I hereby acknowledge the pleasure that Mr. William Bradford Dickson, and, through his characteristic energy, the students from Kansas City, Mo., gave us at Pleasant View, on July 5th.
It now appears that the "correction" (?) read on that occasion was not correct. I sent for Mr. Dickson in glad compliance with his request of about one year ago, that when I spoke again publicly, he should be informed thereof. But it slipped my memory that Mr. Frye, my secretary, had invited him to bring others along with him.
As we could not accommdate all of my dear church members, I had thought best not to invite any but the local members of the Mother Church in Boston, and a few outside guests. However, as good fortune would have it, the pleasure of seeing my friends from Kansas City was added to that memorable occasion.
My invitation was given from the platform on Sunday, July 4th; but the newspapers had announced the event forthcoming on the previous week. My invitation to the local members of my Church in Boston gave them less than one day's notice, yet they accomplished in that time the purchase of fifteen hundred railroad tickets in thirty minutes, procured two special trains of twelve cars each, arrived at Concord on the fifth at about noon, and got through with what the occasion at Pleasant View included, and returned to Boston on that sultry day, refreshed.
We know we voice the sincere feelings of all who were present, as well as the thousands of others of our faith in this country and Europe, when we express our deep appreciation of the kindness and courtesy of Mr. Woodworth mayor of the fair and beautiful city in which our Leader has cast her earthly home, and to Mr. Baker, who, so honorably to himself and his constituents, for several terms, represented the Concord district in Congress, where he became deservedly influential and useful in the shaping of our national affairs, for their presence and addresses on an occasion fraught with so much interest to all Christian Scientists.
We take pleasure in extracting some of the newspaper comments. The Concord Monitor had this to say:—
"Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the Mother of Christian Science, was visited yesterday by more than twenty-five hundred ladies and gentlmen from all parts of the country who came through the sweltering heat to Pleasant View, to pay their tribute of love and reverence to its mistress.
"The main party came in two special trains of twelve cars each, which reached the local station at 11.30 a. m. Every public conveyance in the city had been chartered to transport the crowd to Mrs. Eddy's residence, and in a few minutes its beautiful and spacious lawns were black with people."
The Independent Statesman of Concord, this:—
"The exercises began at about one o'clock, when Mrs Eddy appeared on the piazza and was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm, all those who were fortunate enough to have seats rising to receive her."
The Boston Herald:—
"Over two thousand ladies and gentlemen from all points of the country journeyed to Concord, N. H., yesterday, to visit the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy at her beautiful home, Pleasant View, and to show their love and reverence for the Mother of Christian Science. Two special trains of twelve cars each carried the visitors from this city, and there were hundreds who went from Concord and vicinity and other parts of New Hampshire.
"The specials reached Concord soon after 11.30 a. m., but it was fully an hour later when, with over twenty-five hundred people assembled on the lawn in front of Mrs. Eddy's house, Mr. E. P. Bates called the assembly to order, and the literary exercises began.
"To the spectator it was a most impressive sight. Looking over a fertile valley, the eye rested first upon the blue summits of the distant hills, and was then attracted by the kaleidoscopic effects of the many bright-colored gowns set off to the best advantage by the background of green.
"It was frightfully hot, but no one seemed to mind the discomfort, and when Mrs. Eddy was speaking, no sound, save that of her own voice, broke the stillness. Every one was enthusiastic, and the enthusiasm centred around the Founder of Christian Science."
The Boston Globe:—
"More than two thousand Christian Scientists from all parts of the United States met at the Union Station in this city early yesterday forenoon, and made a pilgrimage to 'Mother' Eddy at her home in Concord, N. H.
"It was a remarkable gathering of men and women, and one baby, that left the station in two special trains of twelve coaches each, and which arrived two hours later at Concord, N. H., as bright and happy a lot of people for all of the heat, apparently, as when they started.
"The gathering was more than remarkable in many ways. It was such a pilgrimage as is seldom seen in this country. Many of these people had travelled from the Pacific slope and from the extreme South, just to get a look at this interesting woman, nearly eighty years of age, Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, Founder of the Christian Science movement.
"To these people she is the new Messiah of the Christian religion, and the visit was of serious moment to all.
"She is called 'Mother,' by all Christian Scientists, and one look at her pale, motherly, spiritual face is enough — that face made a deep impression on all who saw it yesterday, and was the reward which these pilgrims got for their long journey in the blazing heat. They also heard an address from the 'Mother' to her children, every word of which was listened to with the closest attention.
"O, but it was hot on those trains! But there was no grumbling, everybody seemed satisfied, and everybody was anxious only that the heat should not distress 'Mother' Eddy.
"Every vehicle that could be hired in Concord was obtained to take the pilgrims up to Pleasant View, which is the home of Mrs. Eddy, and which is a little over a mile from the station.
"At the entrance to the lawn of the house is a granite gateway, on which is inscribed, 'Pleasant View. Eddy.' The house is a large two-story wooden dwelling, with balcony and porte-cochere, handsomely pillared. A solitary American flag was the only decoration on the house, as Mrs. Eddy is not given very much to decorations."
The newspapers also may be assured of the hearty appreciation of Christian Scientists everywhere for their kindness in making such full and fair reports of this occasion; the more so because, until in the comparatively recent past, the press generally has not always turned its friendly side toward Christian Scientists.
These harbingers of good-will shall only encourage the disciples of our Cause to greater effort, of the impersonal kind, in spreading the work of healing sickness and removing sin.
We assure the citizens of Concord that the army which so suddenly and unexpectedly invaded their borders, is an army of peace, its only purpose being to verify and establish as a fact upon earth that glorious message of Peace sung out from the skies at Bethlehem nearly nineteen hundred years ago by the angelic host, when, according to the record, heaven and earth were in literal conjunction at the birth of a Saviour: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, Peace;, good-will toward men."
In a gathering as large and as spontaneous as this one, gotten together, as it were of its own volition, it is not strange that some unfortunate omissions occurred in carrying out the order of exercises. Among the invited guests from Concord were the eminent laywers, Gen. F. S. Streeter and Reuben E. Walker, who procured the charter for the Mother Church.
Their names were on the list of those to be seated on the piazza and asked to the platform as speakers; and it was Mrs. Eddy's intention to introduce them; but when it became known that the company had to return to Boston at four o'clock p. m., the hour had to be changed for opening the meeting from one o'clock to half past twelve; this involved sending for Mayor Woodworth, and Mr. Moore, who had charge of seating the guests, had to go after the mayor. In this way, the gentlemen named were overlooked. Hence their absence from the platform. We are aware that Mrs. Eddy deeply regrets the omission, but we feel sure also that these gentlemen, in their magnanimity, will pardon it, under the circumstances.
