In the choir and the steps of the platform were potted palms and ferns and Easter lilies. The desk was wreathed with ferns and pure white roses fastened with a broad ribbon bow. On its right was a large basket of white carnations resting on a mat of palms, and on its left a vase filled with beautiful pink roses. Two combined choirs--that of First Church of Christ, Scientist, of New York, and the choir of the home church, numbering thirty-five singers in all--led the singing, under the direction, respectively, of Mr. Henry Lincoln Case and Miss Elsie Lincoln. Judge S.J. Hanna, editor of _The Christian Science Journal_, presided over the exercises. 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. The 'prayer in stone' is accomplished. Across two thousand miles of space, as mortal sense puts it, I send my hearty congratulations. You are fully occupied, but I thought you would willingly pause for an instant to receive this brief message of congratulation. Surely it marks an era in the blessed onward work of Christian Science. It is a most auspicious hour in your eventful career. While we all rejoice, yet the mother in Israel, alone of us all, comprehends its full significance. "Yours lovingly, "LANSON P. NORCROSS." * * * * * [_Boston Sunday Globe_, January 6, 1895] [Extract] STATELY HOME FOR BELIEVERS IN GOSPEL HEALING--A WOMAN OF WEALTH WHO DEVOTES ALL TO HER CHURCH WORK