Page:Miscellaneous Writings.djvu/157

Rh Whoever challenges the errors of others and cherishes his own, can neither help himself nor others; he will be called a moral nuisance, a fungus, a microbe, a mouse gnawing at the vitals of humanity. The darkness in one's self must first be cast out, in order rightly to discern darkness or to reflect light.

If the man of more than average avoirdupois kneels on a stool in church, let the leaner sort console this brother's necessity by doing likewise. Christian Scientists preserve unity, and so shadow forth the substance of our sublime faith, and the evidence of its being built upon the rock of divine oneness, — one faith, one God, one baptism.

If our Board of Directors is prepared to itemize a report of the first financial year since the erection of the edifice of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, let it do so; otherwise, I recommend that you waive the church By-law relating to finances this year of your firstfruits. This Board did not act under that By-law; it was not in existence all of the year. It is but just to consider the great struggles with perplexities and difficulties which the Directors encountered in Anno Domini 1894, and which they have overcome. May God give unto us all that loving sense of gratitude which delights in the opportunity to cancel accounts. I, for one, would be pleased to have the Christian Science Board of Directors itemize a bill of this church's gifts to Mother; and then to have them let her state the value thereof, if, indeed, it could be estimated.

After this financial year, when you call on the members of the Christian Science Board of Directors to itemize or audit their accounts, these will be found already itemized, and last year's records immortalized, with perils past and victories won.