First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Wichita, Kan., located at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Second Street, was dedicated Sunday, August 18. Two services were held, the first at 10.45 a.m., and the second at 8 p.m. Christian Scientists from many of the neighboring towns were present. Addresses were delivered by Mrs. Anna K. Tucker, First Reader, and Gilbert D. Tucker, Second Reader. Miss Harriet Turner of El Dorado, sang two solos, "Just for To-day," and "These are They."
The church is in the form of a Latin cross, and has a seating capacity of about three hundred. It was formerly known as St. John's Episcopal Church. It was purchased, moved to its present location, remodeled, and put in good repair at a total cost of nearly four thousand dollars.
All with whom we have spoken have expressed themselves as being pleased with the church. The pastor of the Congregational Church, which is located just across the street, has seemed greatly interested in the preparation and progress of our building, and was much pleased when told of the success of the dedicatory services.
Some of the influential members of the Episcopal Church, who bad lovingly helped to build and dedicate the church years ago, were present. They were much interested and rejoiced with us in our good fortune.
We have a pleasant reading room in the front part of the church, which is separated from the audience room by means of three large doors which can be raised, thereby increasing the size of the auditorium when more space is required.
Truth and Love have blessed us abundantly in this demonstration, and we cannot fail to see how we have been led and directed by the One intelligence, the Giver of every good gift.
The addresses of the Readers were as follows:—
Address of First Reader.
My Dear Friends:— Our little band of earnest workers has long desired and needed a place of worship. The Scriptural promise is that the faithful followers of Truth shall be provided for. Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands." This reassuring promise is being visited upon us in great measure. As we go on and truly leave all evil and error to follow Christ,—Truth,—more and more will we see and realize the abundant supply. Divine Love supplies all our needs now, and there is no lack in ever-present Love.
This property all told has cost $3,065. Through careful dealing and generous giving of time, labor, and money, at the hands of about eighty-five persons, this sum has been raised. To-day we consecrate anew this beautiful little temple unto God, who is the same divine Love whom our fathers sought to worship; or as if, by way of emphasis, we rededicate this church to the service and worship of the living God who "dwelleth not in temples made with hands," and is not afar off, but is in all places Immanuel, —"God with us."
I take pleasure to-day in welcoming you, our neighbors and friends who have come to see and appreciate with us our new church home. Your presence and approving countenances bespeak a joy and satisfaction in your hearts because of our success: and we thank you. We welcome you, fellow Scientists from neighboring towns who have come to rejoice with us on this happy occasion. To you who have not as yet procured a church of your own, this event speaks a word of encouragement, that faithful, loving work continued, is sure of its reward. And I congratulate all the co-laborers and contributors, who have aided in bringing about this consummation. Each one now has his reward in the sweet consciousness of a duty performed, and the "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things," is resting in benediction upon the heads of many who are entering the next stage referred to by Jesus, "I will make thee ruler over many things," and the result, "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
Many have been the sacrifices that were necessary in procuring the land and fitting up this chapel. Self had to be denied, a cross borne. Even the shape of our church is symbolic, —a cross; but remember it is a beautiful cross, harmonious and bright in coloring, light and beauty shining through, its many-colored, stained glass windows. And now it stands a loving testimony to the cause of Christian Science,—the Christ Science.
Our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy, teaches us that all is Mind and Mind's ideas; hence leads on to the conclusion of the nothingness of matter. It is this idea which often brings the antagonism of the worldly-minded. This should not disconcert one, any more than any other scientific discovery. If it is a fact, you, nor I, nor the whole world, nor a universe of supposed materiality can change it. A scientific truth is susceptible of proof. By investigation, thought, and effort in accordance with the teachings of Christian Science, you can prove, at least in a small way, the Allness of Mind. Even from the ordinary standpoint, few judge a man from the size of his physique. We call that man or woman the greatest who possesses the most ideas and the ability to put them into practice, and not the person necessarily of largest bodily proportions.
God is Infinite Mind, the Substance of the universe. Man is idea. He is not corporeal but spiritual. He is the presence and activities of ideas, true, real, and perfect. Let us then put off false concepts, or false beliefs, as sin, sickness, and all discord,—put them off by not entertaining them in thought or consciousness,—and put on the true ideas of Mind, manifested humanly, and referred to in the Scriptures, such as "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."
The Bible exhorts us to "be of one mind." St. Paul says, "But we have the mind of Christ." We can have this mind only as we condemn and discard sin, sickness, and death, and possess and express ideas which come only from God.
In the Acts of the Apostles we read of wonderful things transpiring when the disciples "were all with one accord in one place," which really means, "They were all together for the same object" (Rotherham). For Jesus' followers to be "all together for the same object,"—to be of one mind,—invokes the Divine power and benediction. The world is longing to arrive at this oneness and harmony of thought, and many are earnestly laboring for it. But as we understand it, Christian Science alone can bring about this state. Mortal mind cannot work such a transformation, even in an effort for good. Divine Truth and Love alone can do this. One must learn that sin, sickness, and death are not of God, and must not he entertained in thought as emanating from God.
My dear friends, this little structure remodeled for our use, is a testimony of a certain conformation as we read of being of "one accord in one place." We as a small body of believers have gradually risen to where we could bring out this oneness of thought in a measure, and thereby were enabled to erect this testimony to our Cause.
At first all may not have seen the wisdom of this undertaking. but as the work advanced, thought has awakened, and we pray that all can say and truly that we are all together for the same object. And, my brethren, what is that object? Is it not to grasp the idea of, and live the Truth as illustrated in the life and ascension of Jesus Christ, and in this age revealed in Christian Science as taught by our faithful Leader, the Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy? Let us remember her, then, with loving thought,—the one who for this age discovered the Science of that great Life demonstration manifested by Christ Jesus,—and who has taught us, as we can apprehend it, to follow in his footsteps.
Address of the Second Reader.
Dear Brothers and Sisters:—To-day dawns a new epoch in the history of this church and the Christian Science cause in Wichita, and we are here this morning to thank the Great Giver of all Good for this our church home. And now after advancing one step nearer the Mount of Revelation a look back over the way trodden and obstacles overcome may give renewed strength to press forward.
On the evening of May 7, 1890, fifteen persons who bad proved Gods willingness to heal and restore from sickness and discord, organized the Church of Christ, Scientist, of Wichita, now known and chartered as First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Wichita. Previous to the organization the Scientists met weekly at various homes in the city and studied the Bible in the light of Christian Science. At that time this religion was comparatively unknown to the general public, and the few outside its followers who had heard of Christian Science considered it but a passing fad which a few years would obliterate.
The first public services were held in the W. C. T. C. Rooms in the fall of 1887. Shortly after we removed to a real estate office, then to Market Hall, corner of First and Market Streets, and from there to Garfield Hall. Fletcher Block, and other places, and lastly to Sedgwick Hall.
The Christian Science Reading Room and Dispensary which was first started while holding services in Market Hall has been connected with the church, and has proven an effective means of distributing the Christian Science publications and sowing the seed.
The church has a present membership of about seventy-five, all of whom have experienced the beneficent healing influence of Christian Science, and on becoming members of the Christian Science Church, have subscribed to this sacred obligation which is the final clause of the simple yet sublime tenets of this and all Christian Science Churches: "We solemnly promise to strive, watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus, to love one another, and to be meek, merciful, just, and pure" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker G. Eddy, p. 493).
About four months ago the opportunity came to buy the Old Episcopal Church. The membership and friends rose to the occasion, and by their liberal donations and free-will offerings, have secured in this short time this valuable property, of which we are justly proud. The lots opposite the Plaza Hotel were first purchased for the church site, but the way was opened to get these corner lots and dispose of the former at an advance. Truth was surely leading in this demonstration. As the work advanced every bill was paid when presented and no solicitation was done outside the church and those interested in Christian Science.
The generator and lighting plant for the building was a gift to the church from the Sunday School. A band of little folks known as the Busy Workers has been able to realize a neat sum from their handiwork. Many thanks are due the Board of Directors and Building Committee of the Church for staying at the wheel when fear of debt and other discouragements would have driven them back.
And now after years of quiet and gloom may this new-old church again re-echo the words of God and resound his praises. May the sick, the sinful, and tired ones find within this little chapel a haven of rest.
We confess small faults, in order to insinuate that we have no great one.—La Rochefoucauld.
