It is not generally known that a Christian Science congregation was
organized in this city about a year ago. It now holds regular services
in the parlor of the residence of the pastor, at 1414 Linden avenue. The
dedication in Boston last Sunday of the Christian Science Church, called
the Mother Church, which cost over $200,000, adds interest to the
Baltimore organization. There are many other church edifices in the
United States owned by Christian Scientists. Christian Science was
founded by Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy. The Baltimore congregation was
organized at a meeting held at the present location on February 27,
1894.
Dr. Hammond, the pastor, came to Baltimore about three years ago to
organize this movement. Miss Cross came from Syracuse, N.Y., about
eighteen months ago. Both were under the instruction of Mrs. Mary Baker
Eddy, the founder of the movement.
Dr. Hammond says he was converted to Christian Science by being cured by
Mrs. Eddy of a physical ailment some twelve years ago, after several
doctors had pronounced his case incurable. He says they use no
medicines, but rely on Mind for cure, believing that disease comes from
evil and sick-producing thoughts, and that, if they can so fill the mind
with good thoughts as to leave no room there for the bad, they can work
a cure. He distinguishes Christian Science from the faith cure and
added: "This Christian Science really is a return to the ideas of
primitive Christianity. It would take a small book to explain fully all
about it, but I may say that the fundamental idea is that God is Mind,
and we interpret the Scriptures wholly from the spiritual or
metaphysical standpoint. We find in this view of the Bible the power
fully developed to heal the sick. It is not faith cure, but it is an
acknowledgment of certain Christian and scientific laws, and to work a
cure the practitioner must understand these laws aright. The patient may
gain a better understanding than the church has had in the past. All
churches have prayed for the cure of disease, but they have not done so
in an intelligent manner, understanding and demonstrating the
Christ-healing."
(_The Reporter_, Lebanon, Ind., January 18, 1895.)