  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty [10] through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down 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. In April, 1883, I started the Journal of Christian [15] Science, with a portion of the above Scripture for its motto. 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 [20] of having erected thereon a church edifice to be called The Church of Christ, Scientist. I had this desirable site transferred in a circuitous, novel way, at the wisdom whereof a few persons have since scrupled; but to my spiritual perception, like all [25] true wisdom, this transaction will in future be regarded 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 Science, I took care that the provisions for the land and [30] building were such as error could not control. I knew [1] that to God's gift, foundation and superstructure, no one 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 [5] 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 in God, and their adherence to the superiority of the claims of Spirit over matter or merely legal titles. [10] No one could buy, sell, or mortgage my gift as I had 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 His righteousness, and contributions to the Building Fund [15] generously poured into the treasury. Unity prevailed,— till mortal man sought to know who owned God's temple, and adopted and urged only the material side of this question. The lot of land which I donated I redeemed from under [20] 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 would not be found fighting against God. The diviner claim and means for upbuilding the Church [25] of Christ were prospered. Our title to God's acres will 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- structure should crumble into dust, the fittest would sur- [30] vive,—the spiritual idea would live, a perpetual type of the divine Principle it reflects. The First Church of Christ, Scientist, our prayer in [1] stone, will be the prophecy fulfilled, the monument up- 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 [5] 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 of hell” cannot prevail. All loyal Christian Scientists hail with joy this pro- [10] posed type of universal Love; not so, however, with error, which hates the bonds and methods of Truth, and |
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