December 25, 1900, witnessed one of the most important events in the history of Christian Science in the South. It was the occasion of the opening of the new chapel recently erected by the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Baltimore, Md. The chapel is the third edifice erected by the Christian Scientists in the South.
A free public reading room is on the first floor of the chapel, where all authentic Christian Science publications, including all the works of the Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, are for sale and also placed at the disposal of all who may desire to read them. The auditorium is on the second floor and has a seating capacity of one hundred and twenty-five. This is intended for a Sunday School room when the church proper is built, but for the present it will be used for the church services. Upwards of twelve thousand dollars have been expended on the building and furnishing.
The opening services were held at 11 A.M., and repeated at 4 P.M. They were conducted by Miss Ellen E. Cross, First Reader, and Mr. Hermann S. Hering, Second Reader.
The special feature of the service was the addresses of the First and Second Readers, both of which appear below.
The Baltimore Herald in its issue of December 26, gave an excellent account of the opening services and published the addresses of the Readers in full. In the issue for January 6 was published the full and complete description of the chapel which appeared in the Christian Science Sentinel for January 31.
The address of Miss , First Reader, was as follows:—
Beloved Brethren and Friends:—We greet you with tender love this joyous Christmas Day, as we meet to celebrate the birthday of the "King of Kings." and we are most grateful that the same occasion enables us to open and consecrate our new church-home, so greatly needed, so fervently prayed and diligently worked for—"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it" —and we feel that we have the assurance that "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." Our God, Good, has been brought so very near to us through our late experiences that, like Paul we can confidently say, We know in whom we have believed.
This little chapel, every stone of which is familiar and dear to us, marks an event in the history of Christian Science in Baltimore and in the South. Baltimore is the last of the large cities of the Union to fall into line, and raise the ensign of Christian Science, the highest standard of liberty the world has even know; a liberty to men, wherein it is made possible, as Mrs. Eddy said in her notable Fourth of July address, in 1897, that, "the good they would do, they do, and the evil they would not do, they do not." But not on account of its tardiness need Baltimore remain in the ranks, for "progress is the law of God" (Science and Health, p. 129).
The Church in Christian Science stands for all that man holds sacred, and its doctrine is a living Principle adequate to all his needs, in sickness as well as in health.—thus it becomes his minister, doctor, lawyer, and friend—his All-in-all—a "very present help in trouble." It is a veritable "City of Refuge" whither he can flee from every foe that pursues, be it sickness or sorrow, business per plexities and disasters, or whatever ill betides. Its teaching is for all, and is fully and accurately stated in our text-book. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy. By the simple reading of this wonderful book hundreds are healed of various afflictions, many of whom have been pronounced incurable by skilful physicians. This little book, already in its 200th' edition, is connected with the Bible in regenerating the world. The time is not far distant when Christian Science will have full recognition, and take its place, not only as a guide in shaping man's religious course, but also as one of the strongest factors in the educational work of the age. The bars of conservatism are breaking down everywhere, and Christian Science is being admitted into its various enclosures, always to purify, energize, and spiritualize the thought, wherever it gains admission.
Our little chapel early began its mission of preaching faith in God. When the walls had scarcely risen above the grounds a Presbyterian clergyman, learning the circumstances in connection with its building, told his congregation about it from the pulpit, and asked them to watch it go up that it was the most wonderful manifestation of faith in God he had ever known. We have thoroughly tested the Christian Science axiom, "Divine Love always has met, and always will meet, every human need" (Science and Health, p. 490), and find it to be true under all circumstances and conditions.
The rapid growth and successful completion of our chapel is due to the energetic and faithful work of the contractors and workmen, and to the equally faithful and no less energetic work of the Building Committee, Board of Trustees, and members of the church,
The children of the Sunday School here rendered efficient aid, with their loving thought, skilful fingers, and "feet that on willing errands run." The beautiful windows of the auditorium, through which the blessed light of heaven shines to light it by day, are the gift of these dear little workers in the Master's vineyard. It is not difficult to see why the Saviour took little children in his arms and blessed them, and that blessing will bless for all time every child who is walking and working in his way.
Last night at the joint meeting of the members of the church, the Trustees and Building Committee, the building was formally accepted from the contractors and became the property of the church. It will now be opened to the public each day, and is consecrated to the work of the Master. Like the Mother Church in Boston, it stands a witness to our Love to God, and the Christ, and of our devotion and our loyalty to our beloved Leader and Teacher, Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.
The following is the address of the Second Reader, Mr. :—
Beloved Co-workers and Friends:—On this day of days, the birthday of our Lord and Master, added to our gratitude for his appearing and his life and works, we give thanks also for this building, an outward sign of some measure of understanding of the divine Truth and Love which Christ Jesus came to present to mankind.
As we look back over the history of our four years' work in this city we remember how, in 1897, Miss Ellen E. Cross, C.S.D., with seven of the students, met and determined to hold Christian Science services, and our first public meeting was held on March 28 of that year, in the Lyceum Parlors on North Charles Street.
From the first there has been steady growth and interest, with many testings of our faith, many struggles with error, many overcomings of self and sin, and many proofs of God's overshadowing love and care.
In October, 1897, we organized as a regular Christian Science Society and became a branch of the Mother Church of the denomination, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass.; on December 24, 1897, just three years ago, we were incorporated as a Christian Science Church under the laws of Maryland.
Our Building Fund was begun on Faster Day, 1898, and on February 23, 1900, in spite of many difficulties, we purchased the lot on which the chapel stands.
In April the architects were engaged and plans drawn up and on August 1 the church members, at a special meeting, decided to build, and authorized the Trustees to proceed at once. Specifications were prepared and several prominent builders invited to bid. The lowest bidders were Messrs, Henry D. Rullman and C. S. M. Williamson of this city, and they were awarded the contract on September 6. The Building Committee considers itself very fortunate in having secured the services of these gentlemen, as they have faithfully fulfilled their obligations.
The final survey of the lot was made September 18, and on Wednesday morning. September 19, ground was broken, and a week later, September 26, in the presence of the Board of Trustees and Building Committee, the first stone was laid with simple exercises. As the building is now practically completed, it was therefore erected in three months, a remarkable achievement when the substantial nature of the building and the great amount of fine interior work is considered.
The fact that we are occupying this building to-day is proof that "with God all things are possible." During the last few weeks it has seemed to the senses utterly impossible to finish the work by Christmas Day. The large number of men, representing twelve different trades, were during most of the time at work simultaneously and the most wonderful harmony and brotherly kindness were expressed. Very little time was lost through confusion or discord, and there were but two days during the three months when the work was delayed on account of rain.
The various sub-committees who had in charge the different departments of the work have their fruit in the satisfaction of work well done, expressed in the beauty and completeness of this building, in form, color, strength, and design.
The workmen who labored so faithfully and zealously, and especially those who worked day and night for the last eight days, deserve much praise and gratitude on our part.
A week ago men experienced in building work said it would be impossible for us to hold services here for at least three weeks, but here we are in a building in which but a few unessential details remain to be attended to, and to-day this chapel is thrown open to all with the hope that it may prove a resting place and a home to many of God's "little ones."
As the need becomes apparent and the way is opened, the church building and tower included in the design will be erected.
The bare recital of dates and facts gives but a faint impression of the unwritten history of this Church of Christ, Scientist. Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says in Science and Health, "We do not build safely on false foundations." We have need, my friends, to improve our foundation thoughts; to work from a truer conception of Life and its demands; to live in a truer relation to our heavenly Father, Infinite Mind, and to our fellow-men; to be truer in desire and motive to the model set us by Jesus; and so have we striven to rear our building in Christian character and our Father has rewarded us openly. His is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, forever.
Applications for membership with the Mother Church. The First Church of Christ, Scientist, to be presented at the next regular meeting of the First Members must be in the hands of the clerk on or before the twentieth day of May, 1901.
Love understands love; it needs no talk. Sunlight needs no paraphernalia of pipes, and wicks, and burners; it just shines out, direct and immediate. And the dewdrop flashes it back in the same way. The sparkle may he tiny, but it is true and immediate: it needs no vehicle. "I have called thee by name." That was quite enough. The powerful sunshine of His love was focussed into that white beam of sevenfold light, and the whole soul was concentrated into the responsive love-flash, "Master!"
