Article March 9, 1907 Issue

THE LECTURES

with contributions from Thayer, Frank Newell, C. H. Howard, A. Jones

Judge Septimus J. Hanna lectured on Christian Science in the Crawford Theatre, Sunday afternoon, Jan. 27. He was introduced by A. Jones, a well-known lawyer, who said in part,—

When Christ Jesus was taken before Pilate for trial he said, "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." And then Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" and left the judgment hall without waiting for an answer. In the matter of religion this has been an absorbing question of all peoples and in all ages.

We as a people believe that our sacred Scriptures contain spiritual truth. Thus far we are one; but when we have come to interpret the Scriptures we have differed in many respects; and these differences have given birth to various religious denominations. One of the latest religious denominations arising from this different interpretation of the Scriptures is that of the Christian Scientists. Of their doctrine I know but little; whether their interpretation of the Scripture is true I know not. Like many of you, I accepted without question and without reason the simple faith of my mother, and have been reared under a different doctrine. But be this doctrine true or false, or that doctrine true or false, the liberality of thought of our age and the religious tolerance of our time constrain us to hear with eagerness and reverence the exposition of the sacred Scriptures by any earnest and able man, whatever his sect or creed. And this is the spirit we should have. We cannot be a great people unless we are always ready to hear and accept the truth, however much it may conflict with or destroy our preconceived opinions; for after all there is nothing sacred but truth.

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