THE LECTURES
NASHUA, N. H.
Frank H. Leonard delivered a lecture on Christian Science in City Hall, Oct. 28, to an audience of several hundred. The lecturer was introduced by the Rev. W. H. Morrison, pastor of the First Universalist church, who spoke as follows:—
I am here this evening to a meeting of the Christian Science sisters and brothers. What shall we do with Christian Science? Why, give it fair play—just fair play. If it is a splendid truth, certainly that is what is going to bring it out ; and if it isn't, surely what will find that out is to give it fair play. That is what we all want. We all have our ideals. We can't all be alike; I am glad we can't. It would be a funny world if we were.—Correspondence.
WINCHESTER, MASS.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Winchester, held its annual lecture in the Town Hall Monday evening [Nov. 8] at 8 o'clock. Ralph E. Joslin, who introduced the lecturer, Prof. Hermann S. Hering, said in part.—
The Christian Scientist declares that life is spiritual only, and that with this thought once grasped and retained, all physical suffering and ailment may be vanquished. The rapid spread and growth of this idea has been phenomenal. Whether one assents or dissents, if he be fair and unprejudiced he must admit that it has been accepted by a large and constantly increasing number of intelligent and refined people. He must go farther, and admit also that among those who have embraced this teaching there exists a serenity of mind and contentment unlike that to be found in any other body of Christians. Whether right or wrong in theory, in fact great peace of mind and comfort have come into the lives of those who constitute the Christian Science membership.
Again, the methods employed by the workers in this church in many respects compel our admiration. If the theory of Christian Science is wrong, or has in it any weakness, certainly those who uphold it do not fear to have it stated and discussed. Utilizing all modern methods of publicity by written and spoken word, they everywhere seek to bring their views to the attention of intelligent and thinking people. From the pulpit, the public platform, and in the press they give out their thought and challenge the attention of the world.—Winchester Star.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.
The following introductory remarks were made by Bertram Hawker, Esq., M.A., who was chairman at the Rev. Arthur R. Vosburgh's lecture at Hope Hall, Liverpool, on Tuesday, Nov. 2:—
The subject of tonight's lecture is one that is more and more engaging the mind of the public and the attention of thoughtful men, and if in the process opposition is provoked, it need be no more than a sign of its vitality. All efforts to arrive at the truth have been opposed by those satisfied that they already possess it. History is not silent. Nor is it only the revealers of spiritual truth, but also the Galileos and Darwins who have by their reversal of accepted ideas felt this onslaught of hostility. And a point to notice in the nature of this hostility is that it frequently does not know what it is opposing. It opposes before it investigates. Tonight is given an opportunity, to those who wish for information before forming a judgment, of hearing from an accredited exponent of the subject what Christian Science really is. I have much pleasure in introducing to you the Rev. Arthur R. Vosburgh.
Correspondence.
ATLANTA, GA.
Frank H. Leonard lectured Nov. 14 at the Grand on the subject of Christian Science. He was introduced by Mrs. Sue Harper Mims, who said in part,—
It is significant and beautiful to me that so large an audidence is gathered here this afternoon to listen to a lecture on Christian Science. It means that in this hour which seems a culminating one in materialism,—a Babylon of splendor and brilliancy (fleeting though it be),—that "above the harsh noises of the day" you must have caught the tones of the "low sweet prelude" of the advancing spiritual era, awakening an interest in the spiritual and eternal verities of being. We all know that in coming to a Christian Science lecture it is not to hear of persons or events, nor things, but to hear of God, and His wondrous ways to the children of men. It is to learn that Spirit alone is force, presence, and power. Spirit is God; therefore Spirit is the creator, the sustaining and governing power, the Mind of man and the universe; hence, all true force or power must be and is spiritual, not material. Best of all, we learn that this power is Love, the divine Principle of being,—beneficent, eternal, universal.
Should it seem strange that this healing Christ-power has come from the Mother-heart of divine Love, thus to heal and bless, through a woman? Indeed, fairest of all earth's miracles today is this woman, Mary Baker Eddy, —humble, patient, meek, enduring, strong with the strength which God supplies, wise with the "wisdom that cometh from above," knowing that "the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea [the turbulence of material thought]." In sweet serenity of soul, and absolute faith in God and the supremacy of good, she is leading the church triumphant to a glorious establishment on earth.—Correspondence.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.
Judge William G. Ewing of Chicago delivered an address last night [Nov. 14] at the Salt Lake Theater. He was introduced by Frank B. Stephens, who said in part,—
The perpetuation of the teachings of Jesus Christ was confided to erring mortals. The truths he taught became obscured in a mist of creeds and dogmas, and within the present generation men claiming to be ministers of God sincerely and honestly taught that there was a heaven of everlasting bliss for the few and eternal torment of annihilation for the many. Such a doctrine as this, and many others which now seem to us equally unbelievable, brought about a revolt, and these came upon what was called a wave. of infidelity and agnosticism. Iconoclasts almost brutally dashed to pieces many of the cherished idols of the Christian church, even denied the existence of a God, and seemed to stand like a colossus in the midst of irretrievable ruin. Thousands who had formerly been firm believers were not sure even of immortality.
But while these men were tearing away the husks which covered the kernels of truth, and other great men were trying to get their bearings as they stood amid a chaos of shattered beliefs, a gentle woman, with a marvelous perception of truth and with a heart full of love for humanity, began, lovingly and gently, to lead people back to the simple truths taught by Jesus Christ; and today hundreds of thousands of men and women, by reason of her teachings, have been healed of sickness, sorrow, suffering, and sin, and are earnestly trying to lead better lives. This splendid audience, many times greater than the number of all of the members of the Christian Science churches in this city, attests the fact that the people are seeking for truth, and I welcome you to hear the distinguished speaker of the evening. The fundamental truths upon which the religion called Christian Science is founded are such that they appeal to the trained mind. Men of the highest intelligence acknowledge the truth of these fundamental truths, just as they acknowledge the fundamental truths of mathematics, or things that are brought to light by scientific research.—Telegram.
SHERMAN, TEXAS.
About four hundred people attended the lecture delivered last night [Nov. 15] at the Opera House by Bliss Knapp of Boston. Louis A. Gregory of Lincoln, Neb., who introduced the speaker, said in part,—
I was drawn to Christian Science when it healed my father of locomotor ataxia and Bright's disease at such advanced stages that physicians pronounced his case incurable. In more than ten years' study of this Science and its votaries I have become acquainted with hundreds of excellent, well-informed people, who declare that they have been remarkably healed through this form of treatment alone, and their various ailments almost run the gamut of physical, mental, and moral disease. With remarkable unanimity, too, they accord first place to the spiritual teachings of Christian Science rather than to its seemingly marvelous physical healing.
From the twilight vista of unrecorded ages comes the chant of the prophet Isaiah, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings." Yet the nails that transfixed the feet of Jesus upon the Calvarian cross indicate to how few people of his own time were the feet of the Messiah beautiful upon the mountains of Judea. The prerequisite of regeneration was and ever will be the assimilation of truth. The truth expressed here tonight must be grasped and pondered by you to become benefical to you. No matter how much of good is offered, it cannot help you unless you take of it and make it your own.—Sherman Democrat.
