When a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, has not yet dedicated its edifice, its members naturally look forward to this happy experience. The dedication ceremony does not take place until their church is entirely free from financial indebtedness. In speaking of one branch church, our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in a letter quoted in the Christian Science Sentinel of October 14, 1905, says: "If your church is chartered, your church edifice should be dedicated when it is paid for. May heaven's rich blessing crown your faithful labors, and unity and praise dwell within your walls and in your hearts."
The church member knows that the furtherance of dedication as an integral part of his church activity is in line with his demonstration of the affluence of God's love. Also he recognizes that dedication to the idea, Church, does not cease when his own branch church is free from indebtedness. "Faithful labors, and unity and praise" must dwell in his heart, and he must continue to help other branches of The Mother Church to dedicate and thus forward the world-wide Cause of Christian Science.
However, let it not be said that church dedication is primarily the raising of funds to pay off indebtedness. Dedication is consecration to a holy purpose. In this connection it is well to study the definition of "Church" as given by our Leader in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583):
