Article January 16, 1902 Issue

The Lectures

with contributions from N. H. Bacon, Jessica W. Pierson, George H. Withey, Clarence C. Eaton, Mrs. Bone

It is with grateful hearts that we write a few words to the Field of our experience in giving to our city our first lecture on Christian Science, by Mr. Edward A. Kimball of Chicago, January 2, 1902.

Nearly a year ago we started our regular Sunday services at the home of the First Reader. We have sometimes had twenty-two in attendance, though often four constituted our number. We saved our collection for a lecture fund; we finally had about forty-five dollars in one of our banks when it closed its doors some months ago. Sixty cents on the dollar has since been paid us, which formed a nucleus for a new lecture fund. In the summer, we entered into correspondence with Mr. Kimball; but he could give us no date, though promising to let us know later. A gentleman from Chicago met with us five times last summer, and each Sunday we were five dollars richer by his coming. Finally a telegram came from Mr. Kimball saying he would come if we were ready. We had fifty-six dollars, and were not fully ready as we would have thought, in the old way, but we knew we should be. We rented our best opera house, furnished our own stage settings from our homes, had a quantity of palms from the greenhouse, did the necessary advertising, and we have found our expenses, including everything, were eighty-five dollars, and this A.M. — January 3, 1902 — we banked seventeen dollars toward another lecture, "some sweet day."

The Scientists from South Bend chartered a car and lent their presence as well as generous financial support to us. From Kalamazoo, Elkhart, Goshen, Dowagiac, and Buchanan they came, eager for this Truth that we know is all there is. Our townspeople were very respectful to us in every way, and while they may not now realize what we did for them, they will in time. Our every want was supplied; we absolutely knew no lack, proving anew to us that "He satisfieth the longing soul and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Report of Sales at Chicago, Ill