0.0 – Christian Science Publication Contents

  	        TO THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST,
 9	                                         BOSTON 

  	    (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
  	through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down
12	imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
  	knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
  	         obedience of Christ. — 2 COR. x. 4, 5. 

15	    In April, 1883, I started the Journal of Christian
  	Science, with a portion of the above Scripture for its
  	motto. 
18	    On December 10, 1889, I gave a lot of land — in
  	Boston, situated near the beautiful Back Bay Park, now
  	valued at $20,000 and rising in value — for the purpose
21	of having erected thereon a church edifice to be called The
  	Church of Christ, Scientist. 
  	    I had this desirable site transferred in a circuitous,
24	novel way, at the wisdom whereof a few persons have
  	since scrupled; but to my spiritual perception, like all
  	true wisdom, this transaction will in future be regarded
27	as greatly wise, and it will be found that this act was in
  	advance of the erring mind's apprehension. 
  	    As with all former efforts in the interest of Christian
30	Science, I took care that the provisions for the land and
 
                                                                                                  page 140
 Miscellaneous Writings --- Letters: TO THE FIRST CHUR...CH       
                                                         SCIENTIST, BOSTON                     

 1	building were such as error could not control. I knew
  	that to God's gift, foundation and superstructure, no one
 3	could hold a wholly material title. The land, and the
  	church standing on it, must be conveyed through a type
  	representing the true nature of the gift; a type morally
 6	and spiritually inalienable, but materially questionable
  	 — even after the manner that all spiritual good comes
  	to Christian Scientists, to the end of taxing their faith
 9	in God, and their adherence to the superiority of the
  	claims of Spirit over matter or merely legal titles. 
  	    No one could buy, sell, or mortgage my gift as I had
12	it conveyed. Thus the case rested, and I supposed the
  	trustee-deed was legal; but this was God's business, not
  	mine. Our church was prospered by the right hand of
15	His righteousness, and contributions to the Building Fund
  	generously poured into the treasury. Unity prevailed, — 
  	till mortal man sought to know who owned God's temple,
18	and adopted and urged only the material side of this
  	question. 
  	    The lot of land which I donated I redeemed from under
21	mortgage. The foundation on which our church was to
  	be built had to be rescued from the grasp of legal power,
  	and now it must be put back into the arms of Love, if we
24	would not be found fighting against God. 
  	    The diviner claim and means for upbuilding the Church
  	of Christ were prospered. Our title to God's acres will
27	be safe and sound — when we can "read our title clear"
  	to heavenly mansions. Built on the rock, our church
  	will stand the storms of ages:  though the material super-
30	structure should crumble into dust, the fittest would sur-
  	vive, — the spiritual idea would live, a perpetual type of
  	the divine Principle it reflects. 
    
                                                                                                   page 141
 Miscellaneous Writings --- Letters: TO THE FIRST CHURCH       
                                                         SCIENTIST, BOSTON                     

 1	    The First Church of Christ, Scientist, our prayer in
  	stone, will be the prophecy fulfilled, the monument up-
 3	reared, of Christian Science. It will speak to you of the
  	Mother, and of your hearts' offering to her through whom
  	was revealed to you God's all-power, all-presence, and
 6	all-science. This building begun, will go up, and no one
  	can suffer from it, for no one can resist the power that
  	is behind it; and against this church temple "the gates
 9	of hell" cannot prevail. 
  	    All loyal Christian Scientists hail with joy this pro-
  	posed type of universal Love; not so, however, with
12	error, which hates the bonds and methods of Truth, and
  	shudders at the freedom, might, and majesty of Spirit,
  	 — even the annihilating law of Love. 
15	    I vindicate both the law of God and the laws of our
  	land. I believe, — yea, I understand, — that with the
  	spirit of Christ actuating all the parties concerned about
18	the legal quibble, it can easily be corrected to the satis-
  	faction of all. Let this be speedily done. Do not, I im-
  	plore you, stain the early history of Christian Science by
21	the impulses of human will and pride; but let the divine
  	will and the nobility of human meekness rule this busi-
  	ness transaction, in obedience to the law of Love and the
24	laws of our land. 
  	    As the ambassador of Christ's teachings, I admonish
  	you:  Delay not longer to commence building our church
27	in Boston; or else return every dollar that you yourselves
  	declare you have had no legal authority for obtaining, to
  	the several contributors, — and let them, not you, say
30	what shall be done with their money. 
  	    Of our first church in Boston, O recording angel! 
  	write:  God is in the midst of her:  how beautiful are her
 
                                                                                                   page 142
 Miscellaneous Writings --- Letters: TO THE FIRST CHURCH       
                                                         SCIENTIST, BOSTON                     

 1	feet! how beautiful are her garments! how hath He en-
  	larged her borders! how hath He made her wildernesses
 3	to bud and blossom as the rose! 
  	                      With love,
  	                                        MARY BAKER EDDY 
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