Editorial May 5, 1906 Issue

The Lectures

Archibald McLellan

ONE of the very wise provisions made by our Leader for the proper dissemination of Christian Science is that for the giving of free lectures by an officially constituted Board of Lectureship. While the work of this Board in the way of correcting misstatements regarding Christian Science and its Founder has borne fruit in a generally better understanding of the subject and a higher appreciation of Mrs. Eddy's labors for mankind, the fact remains that these lectures are not made to accomplish all that might reasonably be expected of them. This is largely due to fear on the part of Christian Scientists that their friends and neighbors are so prejudiced against this healing religion that it is useless to invite them to attend a lecture, but in taking this stand we forget that there are very few Christian Scientists to-day who did not at some time hold equally prejudiced opinions upon this subject. Jesus said, "They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance," and we can say with propriety that it is not the person who is correctly informed regarding Christian Science that stands in need of these lectures, but the person who is more or less prejudiced against the very name of our religion.

In looking over the political history of our country we cannot fail to be impressed with the fact that those who have risen to greatness in the esteem of their fellow-countrymen usually have been men who have had great faith in the fairness and justice of the masses, men who have relied upon the inherent right desires of their fellows and have bent their energies toward the elimination of the ignorance and prejudice which have so often obscured their vision. So must it be with the introduction of Christian Science.

It goes, almost without saying, that these lectures should be announced in such a manner as to bring them to the notice of all who may desire to attend them, and that the most ample provision should be made for the accommodation of large audiences. It has been the experience of the lecturers that small halls have usually meant small audiences, while large halls have been taxed to their utmost capacity. Another important point to be borne in mind is that many who do not take the trouble to attend a lecture are reached by the newspaper reports of it; hence the necessity for providing the newspapers with as much information as they can possibly desire, including, of course, the full text of the lecture or a carefully prepared synopsis of it. For obvious reasons this should be done as largely as possible through the Publication Committee or his local representative, who is more or less in touch with the editors and should know what is desired by them.

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