Since I last saw you in ConcordEditorial Note: Concord, New Hampshire, I have been to Boston, with a view. of taking As Written: takeing the initiatory steps in perfecting the title to our church Building lot. In further consultation with Mr Griffin, who by the way is himself as well as his wife one of Mrs Meaders students,, I learn that our starting point is with the Church of Christ Scientist in Boston. Through that legally incorporate body action can be taken which will cut off all foreign claims to equity in the property. Mr Griffin called for the Church recordsAs Written:reccords. I asked Mr Munroe if he would see Mr Johnson, and place the records As Written: reccords in Mr Griffins hands, Mr Munroe writes me, that Mr Johnson will not give up the Church records As Written: reccords without instruction from you, to do so.
We now feel obliged to await your action in this [*]Archival Note: The following text in the lefthand margin was later added to the document by the author
or another annotator, disrupting the surrounding thought. See p 4 [*]Archival Note: End floating text. matter. (Mr Griffin says no individual or body have a title to the property.)[*]Archival Note: These parenthesis are written in an unknown hand. What a condition we are in!! I asked Mr Griffin if it was possible to perfect the
title, he answered yes. This much we know.
We must give to Caesar the things that are Caesars.Matt 22:15 ¶Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. Matt 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth,
neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Matt 22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? Matt 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Matt 22:19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. Matt 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? Matt 22:21 They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto C
æsar the things which are C
æsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. Matt 22:22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. Mark 12:13 ¶And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the
Herodians, to catch him in his words. Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and
carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way
of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, or not? Mark 12:15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them,
Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. Mark 12:16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cæsar’s. Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are C
æsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him. Luke 20:19 ¶And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and
they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against
them. Luke 20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take
hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of
the governor. Luke 20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly,
neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Luke 20:22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no? Luke 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Luke 20:24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar’s. Luke 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be C
æsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. Luke 20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at
his answer, and held their peace.
We must conform to the laws of our country in our business transactions. Really the
work of perfecting this
devolves As Written: devolvs
upon yourself and the church.
I think you may feel assured the we the Trustees will release the property to the new [*]Archival Note: There are two vertical lines drawn in the left margin. Trust or directors that you named, said directors holding the fee in the whole property but reserving to publishing Society a life lease of so much of the property as the publishing house occupiesAs Written:ocupies, in case it is built upon, and should it ever be sold the publishing society to receive the pro rata As Written: prorata value of the publishing building. which would be but a small part of their gifts, As four fifths of all the money I have received came from outside As Written: outsid of the Boston Church I feel quite sure you will see this to be just. We the present Trustees must act together and unanimously As Written: unanimouly or we cant effect the object we are seeking.
Please allow me here to say. that I should regard it as very unfortunate, if we or yourself should break faith with Bro. Nixon. I regard him as one of the truest men within my acquaintance. I know he has the good of our causeEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science at heart. I shall rejoice if the course which you have outlined, shall take legal form and be perfected We can do nothing at building until is so made If we should fail in this, it would be one of the hardest blows As Written: blous that has ever hit Christian ScienceAs Written:C. S. since knew of it. I do most earnestly desire that there be no delay. I also keenly realize the sacredness of the trust and responsibility devolving upon me in holding this large fund, so lovingly bestowed by some thousands of persons. much the greater part of whom As Written: whome are poor. Did ever, since the days of the early As Written: earley disciple As Written: disceple any man hold a more sacred trust? It is quite apparent that our maximum sum will be realized within a few weeks. Will it look or be right, for me to draw from the fund which I hold to satisfy legal charges in quieting a title which has been proclaimed that you yourself have given? Should not this be done either by yourself or the church? So sacred do I hold this BuildingAs Written:B. fund that I am impelled to ask these questions, and I know you will advise and direct wisely. Believe me that I would not trouble you with all these matters, if it were not imperatively necessary.
I hoped we should go on and build without doing this. It is known to the field that we have in Bank nearly the sum which we named in our last circular letter would warrant As Written: warrent us to commence building. What will they say of us, after proclaiming as we have that we have, that we have a lot of land given by yourself, if we should be made obliged to say. we have no land to build upon?
It occurs to me that by force of circumstances, not from choice touching this question you are still the power on the throne, not behind it. I think we are fortunate in having the best conveyancer in the state for our Lawyer. and in sympathy with us. (Lawyer has told Mr Munroe that the foreclosure of your mortgage was legally executed. He will swear As Written: sware to that, and it so appears on the recordsAs Written:reccords.)[*]Archival Note: These parenthesis are written in an unknown hand. That point is settled, or it so appears to me.