(People and Patriot, Concord, N.H., February 27, 1895.)

MAGNIFICENT TESTIMONIAL.

Members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Boston have forwarded to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy of this city, the founder of Christian Science, a Testimonial which is probably one of the most magnificent examples of the goldsmith’s art ever wrought in this country.  It is in the form of a gold scroll, twenty-six inches long, nine inches wide, and an eighth of an inch thick.

It bears upon its face the following inscription cut in script letters: 

“Dear Mother,

“During the year 1894, a church edifice was erected at the intersection of Falmouth and Norway streets in the city of Boston by the loving hands of four thousand members.  This edifice is built as a Testimonial to truth as revealed by divine Love through you to this age.  You are hereby most lovingly invited to visit and formally accept this testimonial on the 20th day of February, 1895, at high noon.

“The First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Boston, Mass.

“To the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.

“By Edward P. Bates

“Caroline S. Bates.

“Boston, January 6, 1895.”

Attached by a white ribbon to the scroll is a gold key to the church door.

The testimonial is encased in a white satin lined box of rich green velvet.

The scroll is on exhibition in the window of J.C.  Derby’s jewelry store.

(The Union Signal, Chicago.)

EXTRACT.

THE NEW WOMAN AND THE NEW CHURCH.

The dedication, in Boston, of a Christian Science temple costing over two hundred thousand dollars, and for which the money was all paid in so that no debt had to be taken care of on dedication day, is a notable event.  While we are not, and never have been, devotees of Christian Science, it becomes us as students of public questions not to ignore a movement which starting fifteen years ago has already gained to itself adherents in every part of the civilized world, for it is a significant fact that one cannot take up a daily paper in town or village—­to say nothing of cities—­’Without seeing notices of Christian Science meetings, and in most instances they are held at “headquarters.”

We believe there are two reasons for this remarkable development, which has shown a vitality so unexpected.  The first is that a revolt was inevitable from the crass materialism of the cruder science that had taken possession of men’s minds, for as a wicked but witty writer has said, “If there were no God we should be obliged to invent one.”  There is something in the constitution of man that requires the religious sentiment as much as his lungs call for breath; indeed, the breath of his soul is a belief in God.