On the occasion of Professor Hering's lecture in Concord he was introduced by Hon. Charles R. Corning, mayor of the city, whose statement in reference to Mrs. Eddy was much appreciated by the representative audience which completely filled the church. In his introductory remarks Mayor Corning said,—
It is not within my competency, nor is it my purpose to speak to you this evening concerning Christian Science as Christian Science, but I feel that I should not be justified on this occasion if I failed to say a word respecting Christian Science and its relations to Concord. As the representative of all our people, it cannot be unbecoming in the mayor to touch briefly on this subject.
We are all intensely proud of our city, its traditional past, its attractive present, and its bright promises for the future. Whatever has been done, spiritually or materially, or what may hereafter be done for the welfare of Concord, must meet the cordial approval of every good citizen. Concord has the reputation of being cold and slow to respond; reserved, perhaps, rather than enthusiastic. Now this indictment may not be true, and in my opinion it does not count for much either way. Concord is no doubt conservative, but it is not the conservatism of indifference or want of appreciation. I have lived in Concord nearly every hour of my life, and I know the people with whom I live. Do you not recollect the sentiments of pride and delight expressed by our citizens over the building of this exquisite church, and why not? We were proud to behold this stately addition to the most beautiful and ornate collection of public buildings in any public place or square in New Hampshire, if not in New England. Architecturally we have in this church a source of perpetual delight. Surely we owe this church, to say the least, to the affection Christian Scientists have for Concord.
