The Lectures
The Mother Church in Boston.
A splendid audience, which completely filled Symphony Hall, assembled April 10 to listen to a lecture by Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk. The lecturer was warmly greeted by this large and appreciative audience, to which he was introduced by Mr. William D. McCrackan, First Reader of The Mother Church, who said,—
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends:—Permit me first of all to make you welcome in behalf of The first Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. Let me assure you that the invitation upon which you are present here to-night is one which comes from the heart.
Christian Scientists have many proofs in their personal experiences, in their own spiritual, mental, and bodily estate, of what Christian Science can do to help and heal, to save and comfort. They therefore rejoice in every proper opportunity of extending the glad tidings of Christian Science to those who may feel the need of its ministrations.
There is much natural inquiry in regard to Christian Science, due to the good works which it is accomplishing, here and elsewhere. There is probably no one in this audience to-night who has not at least heard of some specific instance of reformation and healing through Christian Science. Indeed there are many here who have been thus reformed and healed of sin or sickness. It is natural, then, that there should be a pronounced desire to listen to some presentation of the subject from the lecture platform which shall be authoriative and official.
It will doubtless be within the scope of the lecture to-night to respond to this natural spirit of inquiry, as far as the shortness of the time at our disposal will permit. The lecturer is likewise designed to correct false notions concerning Christian Science which may still be latent in the public mind. And since it is not possible to do justice to Christian Science itself without due regard to its Discoverer and Founder, Mrs. Eddy, I feel certain that our attention will be called also to the life and life-motive of that great and good woman.
The lecturer of the evening comes to us well fitted by a legal training to weigh and measure evidence with care and deliberation. He has served the State of Indiana as Attorney General. He is now a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. It gives me treat pleasure to introduce to you Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk.
The full text of Mr. Buskirk's lecture will appear in the May issue of The Christian Science Journal.
Rantoul, ill.
An audience of about three hundred listened to Bicknell Young's address on Christian Science, given on Thursday evening, March 8, in Neal's opera House. Mr. Young was introduced by Rev. Charles Bloom, pastor of the Christian church of this place, who said in part,—
I am here because I am interested in the old-time question of Pontius Pilate—"What is truth? During the past few years. I have often found myself in such a place and on such an occasion as this, simply and only because my soul hungers and thirsts after truth He who brings to me some new truth or flashes out the old in newer and better light is my friend, and to him I am indebted.
Personally a strong believer in the authenticity and authority of the Bible, I am here to say it is my firm belief that yet much more light is to break' forth from the old Book. thus I have spent many evenings at the feet of religious teachers, desiring to know the truth that the truth might make me free. As you are aware, I am not an adherent of or a believer in Christian Science: but I earnestly bespeak for the lecturer this evening your close attention and careful thought. Suffering many things myself because of a decided of a religious convictions some years ago. the memory of which often saddens and will never quite pass from me. yet I declare to you that I hold truth in far higher regard than any position or friendship of earth, and am ready to follow one who can bring truth to me, out to the confines of human knowledge. This spirit, I take it, is likewise present with many of you—therefore you are here this evening.—Correspondence,
Somerville, Mass.
So large a number of people desired to hear the lecture on Christian Science by Prof. Hermann S. Hering, in Anthonie Hall, Tuesday evening [April 3], that the capacity of the hall utterly failed to accommodate the people. Before eight o'clock every available seat in the hall was taken, the stage was filled with chairs, and still a stream of people which seemed to be unending pushed steadily through the entrance doors. At this juncture, Wilfred G. G. Cole, of first Church of Christ, Scientist. Cambridge, under whose auspices the lecture was given, stepped to the platform and asked all who had previously heard Professor hering to give up their seats to those who had not. The response was immediate. Many rose and left the hall, but their seats were taken at once, and the situation was not apparently improved.
Mr. Cole then requested all Christian Scientists to retire, for, he explained, "non-Scientists are outside, unable to get in." The second appeal also met with a ready response. It is estimated that fully one thousand, including those who left the hall in response to Mr. Cole's requests, were unable to hear Professor hering last Tuesday night. Professor Anthony, Dean of Tufts College, Department of Engineering, in presenting the lecturer said,—
Friends: —It very gratifying to me to have the privilege of presiding at this meeting and of presenting one who has come from the same professional and educational field as that in which I labor. Now a worker in the broader field, he comes to address you, not on those subjects which we commonly associate with the term science, but concerning the source of all science, God, and the reality of things spiritual. To tell you something of the present-day realization of the promises made by that most scientific of men, Jesus of Nazareth, and to point the way to his understanding of the truth.
Speculative theories concerning a future state no longer hold the attention of men to any considerable degree, but no thoughtful person can ignore those practical demonstrations of applied Christianity by means of which practical demonstrations of walk, the blind see, and the bonds of sin are loosed. Aye, and that which is seemingly more wonderful, men are taught to realize the possibility of obeying that great commandment of our Master, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." These are things for which Christian Science stands, and I have the honor to present one who can speak with authority as to the practicability of this teaching. I take great pleasure in introducing Prof. Hermann S. Hering.
Somerville Journal.
Lectures at Other Places.
Kingston, Ont.—Bicknell Young, March 15.
Chicago, 111. (First Church).—Miss Mary Brookins, March 29, 30.
Salinas, Cal.—Clarence C. Eaton, April 1.
