On the platform with him were Messrs. Ira O. Knapp, Joseph
Armstrong, Stephen A. Chase, and William B. Johnson, who compose the Board
of Directors, and Mrs. Henrietta Clark Bemis, a distinguished elocutionist,
and a native of Concord, New Hampshire.
The utmost simplicity marked the exercises. After an organ voluntary, the
hymn, "_Laus Deo_, it is done!" written by Mrs. Eddy for the corner-stone
laying last spring, was sung by the congregation. Selections from the
Scriptures and from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," were
read by Judge Hanna and Dr. Eddy.
A few minutes of silent prayer came next, followed by the recitation of the
Lord's Prayer, with its spiritual interpretation as given in the Christian
Science textbook.
The sermon prepared for the occasion by Mrs. Eddy, which was looked forward
to as the chief feature of the dedication, was then read by Mrs. Bemis.
Mrs. Eddy remained at her home in Concord, N.H., during the day, because,
as heretofore stated in _The Herald_, it is her custom to discourage among
her followers that sort of personal worship which religious teachers so
often receive.
Before presenting the sermon, Mrs. Bemis read the following letter from a
former pastor of the church:--
"To Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.
"_Dear Teacher, Leader, Guide_:--'_Laus Deo_, it is done!' At last
you begin to see the fruition of that you have worked, toiled,
prayed for.
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