Reminiscence of Mary Baker Eddy’s address from her balcony at Pleasant View

Mr. –, do you remember in 1903 when Mrs. Eddy addressed us from her balcony? It was a memorable occasion, wasn’t it? Think of that great crowd on her lawn. I can still see her coming out on the balcony, looking down at all of us with such compassion and love. Do you remember the moment of silence before she spoke?

And then when she stretched out her hands to us she seemed to say, “All that I have I give unto thee.” As she spoke all of us could hear her beautiful voice without effort: “Welcome home! To your home in my heart! Welcome to Pleasant View, but not to varying views. I would present a gift to you today, only that this gift is already yours. God hath given it to all mankind. It is His coin, His currency; it has His image and superscription. This gift is a passage of Scripture; it is my sacred motto, and it reads thus (then you will remember how beautifully she read from the Scriptures):

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and he shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”

Then you remember how she looked over that great crowd as she continued: “Beloved, some of you have come long distances to kneel with us in sacred silence in blest communion — unity of faith, understanding, prayer, and praise – and return in joy, bearing your sheaves with you. In parting I repeat to these dear members of my church: Trust in Truth and have no other trusts.”

Today is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’”

Do you remember Mrs. –, how we each felt that she was talking directly to us, individually?