Article January 2, 1904 ISSUE

The Lectures

with contributions from Samuel J. Elder, Stephen Metcalf, Lyndon A. Smith

At Winchester, Mass.

Judge William G. Ewing of Chicago lectured on Christian Science at the Town Hall, last Sunday afternoon [November 29]. The hall was well filled with a most interested audience. The speaker was introduced by the Hon. Samuel J. Elder in the following words:—

The late Chief Justice of Massachusetts, now Mr. Justice Holmes of the Supreme Court of the United States, once said, in speaking of the devotion of the Southern troops and of their adherence to their cause, "It seems a part of the divine economy that every person should go somewhither with all his might on the pain of not having lived." And it is just as true in the affairs of the mental and spiritual life as in the affairs of nations and individuals, that the truth as the man sees it, the truth as bodies of people see it, should be presented, and that each person should live out his views of the truth as it is in his mind, because there has been no progress in the world except there has been a clash of feeling, of opinion, and of judgment. Uniformity has always meant stagnation. And it is in this knowledge and in this spirit that I believe our Winchester friends welcome the discussion to take place this afternoon.

We are most fortunate in having the views presented by one of the ablest men in the ranks of Christian Science, and I have great pleasure in introducing to you your friend and mine, Judge Ewing of Chicago.

The Winchester Star.

At Anderson, Ind.

The Grand Opera House was filled to overflowing last night [November 30] by an audience of representative citizens, who assembled to hear an address on Christian Science by Carol Norton of New York. Stephen Metcalf of this city introduced Judge Buskirk in a fitting manner, and he delivered a very forcful introduction, which was in part as follows:—

Now, Christian Science is a tree that has been bearing fruit for about a third of a century, although it is only within the last few years that it has become extensively planted throughout the world. Has it or has it not been bearing good fruit?

It has cured thousands of drunkards and restored them to sober, successful citizenship. Is not this a good fruit? It has emancipated thousands of the captives of the vilest appetites and passions and taught them that the Circe enthralling them and changing them into beasts is but a vile and unlovely enchantress after all, when rightly known, all of whose alluring gifts of pretended sensual pleasures are no better than wormwood and gall. Is not this teaching a good fruit, my friends? It has rescued tens of thousands from the cold and benumbing fogs of materialism and infidelity and has led them onward and upward into the vivifying, joy-giving sunlight of an assured faith in the divine Principle of the universe, a God of infinite loving-kindness. Is not this a good fruit? For one, rescued by Christian Science from those fogs of which I spoke, I can answer that indeed it is a good fruit.

Christian Science has entered thousands of homes where stricken loved ones have been left to die by their drug physicians after faithfully expending upon them the best skill and learning of their profession, and those fading loved ones have been taught by Christian Science of the one Great Physician and have once more blossomed into health. Is not this a good fruit?

From my experience as a father nine years ago, not to mention many later experiences, my friends, I can sincerely and most gratefully say to you that for me and for my family it is indeed a good fruit, and that beside it the golden apples of the fabled garden of the Hesperides are as nothing. That is why I am a Christian Scientist, my friends. It has done the work.—The Bulletin.

At Montevideo, Minn.

The introductory remarks of the Hon. Lyndon A. Smith, Ex-Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, who introduced Miss Mary Brookins on the occasion of the Christian Science lecture, November 22, were in part as follows:—

We have assembled this afternoon to listen to a presentation of the prominent features of a compartively new religious movement. Some of us know much less about it than we ought. We have now and then read a news item in the daily papers attributing to some Christian Scientist absurd ideas, and imprudent, if not improper, conduct. Occasionally we have heard clergymen of other denominations criticise Christian Science with marked severity and little charity. Others who are present here to-day have become familiar with the teachings of this new denomination and have accepted them as reasonable, and they are now consistent adherents to the new faith.

The starting of a new religious movement is not a matter of slight importance. Many such have been important factors in the world's civilization and progress. Many a great war has left less impress upon the world than has a religious movement.

Many of the denominations now existing have originated through bitter quarrels, but Christian Science had a peaceful origin. Its followers have not used their strength to tear down others but have been active in building up an institution of their own, and zealous in extending its influence. We have all recognized their sincerity and implicit faith in their church and have not found it to be any hindrance to their usefulness as citizens, or to the performance of their duties along social lines.—The Commercial.

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