DEDICATION AT TOLEDO, O.

The following account of the dedication of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Toledo, O., appeared in the Toledo Times, Monday, April 8, 1901:—

Yesterday was a day long to be remembered by the Christian Scientists of Toledo. At 10.45 a.m., their beautiful church edifice, at the corner of Monroe Street and Lawrence Avenue, was dedicated free from debt. Many visitors were present from New York, Michigan, Indiana, and from Dayton, Cleveland, and neighboring cities in Ohio, and from Boston, Mass. The church was tastefully decorated with palms, Easter lilies, and roses.

The First Reader's Address.

Miss Sarah J. Clark, C.S.D., read the following address:

Friends and Brethren:— It gives us deep joy to welcome you to-day. We are glad that you have come to unite with us in this crowning blessing on our local organization—the dedicating of this house to the service of the one supreme God, the God who is Love.

Sweet memories sweep over us this glad Easter morning, memories that rejoice the heart. Twelve years ago today the first Christian Science service was held in Toledo. With only a few earnest seekers for this Truth, and no money in the treasury, we founded our church on the teachings of Christian Science, and then together began the work of organization, which we found to be "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little." Each anniversary has given added proof that our faith is in the living God, and that the promises of the Bible are fulfilled now. This building proves that this little body of earnest men and women have been obedient in seeking the kingdom of heaven first, and have brought their tithes into God's storehouse. The command and promise in Malachi have been loyally obeyed and fulfilled: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

These experiences have taught us that something more than money is needed in building a Christian Science Church. Step by step we have proved that God is our source of supply, but this proof has come only as we have maintained unity of purpose, by sacrificing personal opinions and prejudices, working together as with one mind. Love levels all differences. This substantial building, free from all indebtedness, is the fruit of obedience and loyalty to our cause. If Christian Scientists give liberally, it is because of their freedom, and their gratitude for the practical application of Christ's teachings. That for which we have labored, waited, and prayed is the visible manifestation of the invisible church of Christ; and we have come together at this hour to acknowledge His lovingkindness to us, and to consecrate ourselves anew to Him—"our Father in heaven."

Paul said, "Ye are God's building." God's building must be made fit for the indwelling of His word. This temple is defined in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy, as "The superstructure of Truth; the shrine of Love." Only in the degree that we put out the claims of material sense and advance in the understanding of Truth and Love, is our temple illumined with divine light.

To a Christian Scientist the church has a deeper meaning than to many, and this, "our prayer in stone," typifies what is defined in our text-book, Science and Health, as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." It further says, "The Church is that institution which affords proof of its utility, and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs, to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of Divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."

Our creed is broad enough to take in all classes and conditions of humanity, and is found in its entirety in that most wonderful of all sermons, "The Sermon on the Mount," which is so fittingly called "the diamond sermon."

Our doctrine is that founded by Christ—"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," and "thy neighbor as thyself." Jesus commanded his followers—them that believe—to preach the gospel and heal the sick. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Our rule of conduct is the Golden Rule—"As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them." "Love is the fulfilling of the law," therefore, only as we learn through love to cast out the errors of material sense, can we become "joint heirs with Christ."

Christian Science is a desirable factor in every community, for it heals the sick and sinner, and teaches them how to carry this healing word to others. It is the word of Truth that cannot be plucked up or driven out. Its usefulness appeals not only to the poor and sick and needy, but is absorbing the attention of cultured, thinking men and women. It will go on its mission of love, until "The whole world sends back the song which now the angels sing."

This theology of Christ is filled with infinite beauty, and as we open our hearts to it our sense of beauty is enhanced and purified. It is a religion of Love, the Love that casteth out fear, the Love that heals and saves, the Love that radiates and warms other hearts, that liberates those in bondage to physical suffering as well as to sin.

We live in a progressive age. Mortals are not satisfied with a theory of life, they are hungry for the real, a practical knowledge, and Christian Science satisfies this hunger. Heretofore the Bible was a sealed book to us. Many of us tried to live its precepts, but we lacked the understanding. We now have a realizing sense that God has placed in our hands this golden key with which to unlock His treasure-house.

Christian Science is not a visionary theory, but it is a life of practical common sense, bounded by the love that uncovers and destroys error, whether it be sickness or sin. It brings out the beauty of holiness in its grand simplicity. This building is a manifestation of this beautifying Love, for the beauty of holiness that Love sheds into our hearts must find expression in our surroundings. The heart grows rich in giving. Ruskin expressed this when he said:

"The question is not between God's house and His poor: it is not between God's house and His Gospel. It is between God's house and ours. Have we no tesselated colors on our floors? no frescoed fancies on our roofs? no niched statuary in our corridors? no gilded furniture in our chambers? no costly stones in our cabinets? Has even the tithe of these been offered? They are, or they ought to be, the signs that enough has been devoted to the great purpose of human stewardship, and that there remains to us what we can spend in luxury; but there is a greater and prouder luxury than this selfish one—that of bringing a portion of such things as these into sacred service, and presenting them for a memorial that our pleasure as well as our toil has been hallowed by the remembrance of Him who gave us both the strength and the reward. And until this has been done, I do not see how such possessions can be retained in happiness. I do not understand the feeling which would arch our own gates and pave our own thresholds, and leave the church with its narrow door and foot-worn sill; the feeling which enriches our own chambers with all manner of costlines, and endures the bare wall and mean compass of the temple"

We are most grateful that to this age, and to us, has come this message that unlocks the deep truths of the Bible, that teaches that God is ever-present Life and Love, enabling us to follow Christ in deed and in truth, destroying sickness and sin. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."

In this hour of joy we turn with tender love and gratitude to our Leader, who was fitted to bear this message of the Christ-love to suffering humanity. People in all lands are to-day thanking God for Christian Science and its Discoverer, for only as mortals are cleansed from sickness and sin, can the kingdom of heaven be established on earth.

To-day we have come together to express our gratitude to God for this building, the manifestation of our labor of love and of our fidelity to a pure and undefiled religion, revealed to us through the teachings of the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

And now, with hearts overflowing with love and gratitude, we dedicate this temple of Christian Science in Toledo to the service of God, and to the advancement of His cause in this field, and will say with David:—

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companion' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good."

Second Reader's Address.

Charles A. Compton, Second Reader, read the following address:—

This edifice is a demonstration of the teachings of Christian Science and their practical application to our needs, a proof that through them material conditions are overcome and that they are confirmed with "signs following."

The progress made and the good accomplished through these teachings lead us to say, "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." Twelve years ago to-day the first public Christian Science service was held in Toledo. Twelve years from meeting, when a few friends, most of whom were members of churches of other denominations, met to listen to the Christian Science service, this beautiful building is dedicated free from debt; and those who have labored so faithfully and unselfishly for all these years may well rejoice in this manifestation of Love. It has required patient and prayerful labor, sacrifice, and above all a consciousness of right doing to organize and carry on a work such as this has been; but they who feel that God is with them, know not failure, and Truth is ever victor.

The Toledo First Church of Christ, Scientist, was regularly organized in 1890 with thirteen charter members. Seven churches of this denomination, all branches of the Mother Church in Boston, Mass., have been organized by members of this church in neighboring cities and these churches unite with us to-day in thanksgiving and prayers of gratitude.

In October, 1897, the lot of land on which this building stands was given to the church, and on the first day of November following the contract for the foundation was signed. It was some time after the foundation was in and paid for, before the plans of the building were made satisfactory, and it was not until July 14, 1898, that the contract for the building was signed. At that time there was two thousand dollars in the building fund, and the church had membership of less than one hundred; but it was felt that the time had come to build, and the work was felt that the time had come to build, and the work was begun. The building was completed and furnished at a total cost of $33,936.80, every dollar of which has been paid.

Christian Scientists have learned how to give. All the members of this church have given liberally for this building, yet no one is poorer for having done so. Church prosperity means individual prosperity. Some have given almost their entire time and thought to this work, and our building committee especially has been faithful and painstaking.

When the building was nearing completion it seemed that nothing could be taken from the building fund for furniture and for the windows and decorating. Here again Love supplied our need. The windows and pulpit furniture were unsolicited gifts from friends who do not reside in Toledo, the carpets and decorating were special gifts, and the chairs were largely bought by members of the church and congregation and given to the church.

The part which the children have taken in this work has been encouraging and inspiring. They have worked faithfully and earnestly, and this beautiful sunburst in the dome is their gift, every dollar of the cost of which was paid by the children, and they had a surplus of fourteen dollars. Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." It is appropriate that the children's gift should typify that light which cometh from above.

When the work was begun on this building the prospects, from a material point of view, were not bright. It seemed madness to some to undertake to build such a building with a comparatively small membership; but it has been demonstrated that strength is not in numbers alone, and that a cause or organization is strong in proportion as it is governed by good. Keeping the commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," reveals the "arm of the Lord," the power which overcomes material conditions. Obeying this commandment is the prayer of the righteous. It enables us to know that God is the source of supply, and that supply is as limitless as its source. Christian Science teaches us how to obey this commandment, and enables us to understand Jesus' words, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." And we can say with Paul, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord."

Order of Services.

Quartet, "Still, still with Thee," Christian Science Hymnal.

Hymn, "Shepherd, show me how to go," by Mary Baker Eddy.

Scripture reading, 91st Psalm.

Prayer.

First Reader's address, Miss Sarah J. Clark, C.S.D.

Second Reader's address, C. A. Compton.

Hymn 164.

Scripture and Science and Health selections for Easter.

Solo, Miss Anna Gillies, "Israel."

Scripture and Science and Health selections for the dedication.

Solo, Miss Anna Gillies, "O'er waiting harpstrings" by Mrs. Eddy.

Benediction.

Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.—Isaiah, 56:5.

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from failing, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.—Jude, 24, 25.