Article July 17, 1909 Issue

THE LECTURES

with contributions from Mayor Foster, A. L. Cooper, S. D. Works

There was an audience of greater proportions than could be comfortably accommodated in the Lesser Colston Hall last night [May 6] to hear a lecture on Christian Science by Francis J. Fluno, M.D., of Oakland. Cal. William N. Miller. K.C., who was in the chair, spoke words of welcome on behalf of the members of First Church of Christ, Scientist. in Bristol, and explained that their reason in offering the lecture was because it contained something that Bristol people would want to hear. something that would be of benefit. For hundreds of years mortals had been dissatisfied with their concept of God. of man. and of the universe. Regarding God as the God of good and evil, man as mortal, and the universe as material. it was inconceivable that men could have been otherwise than dissatisfied. The mixture of good and evil was subversive of perfection, and mortality and materiality must end in gloom and death. Christian Science came with glad tiding and great joy not only to the sinner. but to the sick—to all who had been bearing the curse of pain. no matter from what cause, and struggling ineffectually to be free. Christian Science was one great whole. It reformed the sinner, healed the sick, comforted the sorrowing, and unified men in one and the same way—in the way demonstrated and pointed out by Jesus Christ. It was a unity of good, and Christian Scientists were united the world over in their endeavor to heal sickness and destroy sin. Christian Science was rapidly bringing into sight a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelt right thinking. Recently a professor, in addressing his class, said a new gospel had arisen, a gospel of healthy-mindedness. Yes, that was so. Forty years ago there was only one who understood and preached that gospel. Like the voice of one crying in the wilderness, an ideal woman had appeared and proclaimed that great fact of existence—"All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. The spiritual idea born in her consciousness gained strength and developed, so that this thought was not now confined to a few, but was generally accepted. At first few heeded it, but now this gospel of right-mindedness, right-thinking, was accepted in every quarter, through the teaching of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.—Bristol Mercury.

On Sunday, May 16, there was a lecture on Christian Science delivered in the City Opera House by Bliss Knapp. Mayor Foster presided, and in introducing the lecturer said in part,—

I realize that Christian Science today engrosses the attention of a large number of the people of this and other lands, and has grown, perhaps. more largely in recent years than any other form of secular worship. Far be it from me to decry any form of Christian worship. My earliest recollections take me back to a sainted mother, a follower of the lowly Nazarene, whose every wish was that her children be good, conscientious Christians, believers in a future destiny. Such belief is, therefore, ingrained in my nature, and I cannot find room in my heart for prejudice against any form of intelligent Christian worship. There must be virtue in a religion which has gained so many adherents of strong mentality as have the teachings of Mrs. Eddy. She is indeed a remarkable woman, and her influence has been more powerful for good than that of any woman of whom history has any knowledge. A remarkable thing about Christian Science is that it appeals to the reason of men and has therefore gained a tremendous following among people of culture who think for themselves and are not swayed from their moorings by every passing breeze. Those of us who have not accepted Christian Science as a fundamental belief can listen to an exposition of its teachings from one who believes what he says and can give strong reasons for the faith which is within him.

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