Editorial May 18, 1907 Issue

HOSPITALITY TO TRUTH

Annie M. Knott

We are all more or less familiar with the opinion that the Briton is by nature cautious and conservative, that he does not readily accept new ideas—in short, that he insists upon proving things before endorsing them. It is therefore hardly possible to overestimate the significance of the recent gathering in London of nearly ten thousand people to listen to a lecture on Christian Science, as reported in this issue of the Sentinel. As we read of the deep interest and the eager enthusiasm evidenced on this occasion, we are reminded that England has taken some eleven years of sober thinking in which to mature her thought respecting Christian Science, and that as a result of this thinking Albert Hall was filled with an immense audience to listen to the message of the Christ-healing. It is well to remember in this connection, that it was no unproved theory to which the thousands listened on this occasion nor was the interest due to mere hearsay. On the contrary, it is safe to say that in the audience there were hundreds who had either been healed themselves through Christian Science, or whose dear ones had thus been healed, and that, too, "when other helpers" had failed and when hope was well-nigh dead.

As we read what the newspapers have to say of this event, we remember with deep joy that this is the land where the Holy Scriptures were first given to all the people, but a few centuries ago, and where the right of every man to interpret them in the light of reason and conscience was maintained in the face of prison and fagot; that it is the land of Wyclif, of Cranmer, of Ridley, of a "great cloud of witnesses" to the power of Truth. Here in this great republic we think with pride upon our Anglo-Saxon heritage of free thought, which is inseparable from a desire to know the truth, and who can estimate the power of truth known and practised!

As we read of the welcome given to Christian Science on this occasion, we recall by contrast the words of Christ Jesus as he wept over Jerusalem, foretelling its destruction, "Because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." He also said, "Verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Christian Science has come to humanity in the name of God and His Christ, with signs following as in the olden day, and we may well rejoice that so many in all lands know the time of their "visitation,"—that they hear and heed the call of Christ, Truth. There are no more mournful words than those which Robert Browning in one of his poems makes an old Jew utter,—

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