Editorial August 12, 1911 Issue

THE PROVINCE OF THE LECTURE

Archibald McLellan

It is impossible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the wide-spread benefit which accrues to humanity from the many hundreds of lectures on Christian Science that are given by the Christian Science board of lectureship annually, all over the world, under the auspices of The Mother Church and its branch Churches of Christ, Scientist; but the careful provision made in the Manual (Articles XXXI, XXXII) for the maintenance of this part of the great work of promulgating the healing truth, as embodied in Christian Science, is indicative of the importance attached by our Leader to a correct presentation of the facts about Christian Science and its Discoverer and Founder.

It will readily be seen, however, that while the lectures are doing a needed work in acquainting public thought with what Christian Science is and what it is doing toward the redemption of mankind, they can only serve as an opening wedge for the deeper truths which must be studied and demonstrated in proof of understanding. Indeed, when the present system of lectures was established by our revered Leader, she had already written in "Rudimental Divine Science" (p. 15): "Only a very limited number of students can advantageously enter a class, grapple with this subject, and well assimilate what has been taught them. ... Public lectures cannot be such lessons in Christian Science as are required to empty and to fill anew the individual mind." In conclusion she declares that "lectures in public are needed, but they must be subordinate to thorough class instruction in any branch of education."

These statements clearly indicate that the function of the lectures is separate from that of class teaching: that is, the lectures are intended to stimulate an interest in Christian Science and to hold out a promise and hope, rather than to impart the rule and modus operandi of the deep things of Spirit. It is a fact, nevertheless, that a true lecture on Christian Science is a divine idea, reflecting infinite Mind, and imparting knowledge to all who hear and understand it. It heals the sick and destroys sin, because it corrects misapprehensions and supplants belief with understanding; and this is why it is no uncommon occurrence for the sick to be healed at these lectures.

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THE NEW BIRTH
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