THE LECTURES

with contributions from Leon Sonfield, B. C. Odom, R. C. Rice, Edward W. Dickey, W. J. Turner, Norman E. John

MECHANICSBURG, O.

Rev. Irving C. Tomlinson of Concord, N. H., lectured here on Christian Science Jan. 6. The attendance was very large, and so impressed were a number of non-Scientists that they asked to be allowed to contribute to the lecture fund. The lecturer was introduced by the Rev. W. U. Pearman of the local Episcopal church.

Correspondence.

BEAUMONT, TEX.

Quite a large and intelligent audience listened to Edward A. Kimball at the Kyle Opera House yesterday afternoon [Jan. 19]. The speaker was introduced by Leon Sonfield, who said in part,—

To the truth-seeker we are indebted for all the progress which the world has made in the varied departments of human thought and effort. "What is truth?" asked Pilate with the curl of contempt upon his lip. But when he asked this question he asked the question of all the ages which had preceded him and of all the ages which have succeeded. The truth-seeker delves by night and day seeking the foundations, and climbs higher and higher seeking the heights of truth, and with the same breath with which he heralds his attainment of the height he cries to those below: "I have reached one mountain peak just to find another on beyond," and then continues his ascent. If it be true in science, art, philosophy, that we have not attained to all the truth, how is it possible that we pretend to know all the truth of Him who is All and in all.

I know nothing of the healing powers of Christian Science. To my mind that is the least. I know of the transformation of human lives through faith in the doctrines taught by Christian Science and whether or not I can believe in the tenets of Christian Science in their fulness, I know that much which they teach is true, and I carry it into my life and leave untouched that which after investigation I cannot accept. It has been said that Christian Science finds humanity as Peter and John found the cripple without the gate Beautiful, and says, as did they, Silver and gold have we none, but such as we have we give unto you: Arise and walk. Then indeed we welcome Christian Science and will hear its message.—Beaumont Enterprise.

WILMINGTON, DEL.

There was a representative gathering in the Opera House yesterday afternoon [Jan. 19] to hear a Christian Science talk on "Deliverance from Evil" by the Rev. William P. McKenzie. In introducing the speaker Norman E. John, of the Christian Science Publication Committee of Delaware, said,—

Fifteen years ago it was my good fortune to make the acquaintance of the lecturer of the afternoon. That acquaintance ripened into friendship. At that time we were not Christian Scientists. The lecturer was giving what he believed to be the light as a member of the Presbyterian faith. I was seeking the light in the church of my fathers, the Quaker faith. We at that time were opposed to what we belived were the teachings of Christian Science. Remembering the wrestlings over our own misconceptions and the biased teachings of the past, we have learned to have charity, compassion, and patience toward those who may yet be held in bondage. Strange as it may seem, we now unite in the full acceptance of Christian Science, and with thousands of others, who have come from all denominations, can say with gratitude that we have lost nothing of the good and true that was taught us in our former faiths. May not this, then, be prophetic of the time when all mankind shall unite in a common understanding of one God and His Christ, and shall say, with full rejoicing, "Behold, one shepherd and one fold."—Morning News.

DALLAS, TEX.

On Jan. 16 and 17 Edward A. Kimball lectured on Christian Science at Carnegie Hall. On the first evening he was introduced by Sam P. Cochran, on the second by Hon. B. C. Odom, who said in part,—

As a rule mankind pursues such lines of thought and action as give promise of the greatest returns. Or, we might say, where the treasure is there will the heart be also. The thought of a people is the parent of their deeds. Likewise, the thought of an individual determines his character. In the beginning of the Christian era Christ Jesus, through a perfect understanding of God's law, stated a basic rule for the guidance of humanity,—outlined a plan complete Yet simple, full of tenderness and compassion, and that satisfies every longing of the human heart. Had the understanding of the disciples and the immediate followers of Jesus been continuously adhered to and practised, the results in the social, the business, and the religious life of the world would be different to-day.

Throughout the successive periods, for two thousand years, the inhabitants of the civilized world have been engrossed with thought peculiar to the times and conditions in which they found themselves. They are known by their fruits. Art and government and chivalry, educational problems, and religious questions and liberty, have at different times engaged the attention of the foremost thinkers. To-day there is a perceptible tendency towards spiritual enlightenment, a yearning for practical truth. The logical mind of the twentieth century asks for proof instead of theory. Jesus established his words, his philosophy, by demonstration, by signs following, and it is on the teachings of Jesus and the Bible that Christian Science is based. Christian Science, therefore, is coordinate with the real, the good. it stands for a practical Christianity; it is a religion of works, a religion that can be made available here and now, in sorrow, distress, and sickness, as well as in health.—Correspondence.

GALESBURG, ILL.

Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk lectured on Christian Science at the Universalist church, Feb. 4, under the auspices of Second Church of Christ, Scientist. He was introduced by County Judge R. C. Rice, who said in part,—

This should be. and is supposed to be, an age of freedom in thought. It is said that truth will make you free; and we should all be willing to accept the truth. We should look for the best and search for and lay hold of that from which we can obtain the most good for Ourselves and our fellow-men. One of the aims of our lives should be to have it said of us, "He went about doing good." The world has enough darkness; we need more light. There is enough of sorrow; we need joy. There is enough of pain and sickness; we need to be whole and free. There is enough of wrangling and strife; we need harmony and peace. There is enough of poverty and suffering; we need relief. There is enough of hatred and selfishness; we need more of the milk of human kindness in our lives.

"By their fruits ye shall know them." If the Christian Scientist can in any way by his belief, by his practice or by his daily life, alleviate the suffering—mental, physical, or moral—of any person, then he is a power for good in his community. And if he can show you and me how to accomplish the same thing, we should not be so little and so narrow and so contracted in our views as to refuse to listen. We should grant him a square deal and a fair hearing. The day of the bigot has passed. We should not ridicule the man who has different ideas from our own, nor should we always think that our particular way is the only way.— Correspondence.

SANTA BARBARA, CAL.

Yesterday afternoon [Jan. 26] a large audience gathered at the Potter Theater, to hear Mr. Bicknell Young of Chicago lecture on Christian Science. The speaker was introduced by Edward W. Dickey, First Reader of First Church of Christ, Scientist, who said in part,—

Christian Science has in a comparatively short number of years spread to nearly all parts of the world and is now a subject of world-wide import and discussion. The one cardinal reason for this rapid growth is that Christian Science is doing something for humanity. When Mrs. Eddy gave her discovery to the world in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she met with much opposition, and there are those to-day who cavil at what she has written, the way in which she has written it, and the means she has inaugurated for the redemption of mankind. It is not to be wondered at that Christian Science, which has been aptly said "to be turning things upside down in order to put them right side up," has met with criticism. It matters little to you or to me whether Mrs. Eddy has satisfied her critics or not, the one imperishable fact remains that this truth will not only meet the needs of all mankind but of her critics as well. The message of Christian Science is for the very hearts that reject it.— The Independent.

MILWAUKEE, WIS.

Miss Mary Brookins of Minneapolis delivered an instructive address last Sunday afternoon [Feb. 2] on Christian Science at the Shubert Theater, to an audience that tried the capacity of the theater. Mr. W. J. Turner presided at the meeting and introduced the speaker. He said in part.—

This is the second time that I have had the honor conferred upon me of introducing your speaker. My interest in your association has caused me to keep constantly in touch with its progress, to study its teachings and to note all changes in the attitude of the people towards it. Without repeating what I said in introducing the other speaker, I will say I am pleased to note the very great change in the attitude of religious denominations towards you. In fact, so marked is the change that the heads of some of the religious denominations have not hesitated to stand with you for many of the things that your church advocates. See how near together you are! This may be noted by a comparison of the public utterances of persons prominent in your church and persons prominent in other churches.— The Milwaukee News.