Article February 17, 1912 Issue

THE LECTURES

with contributions from Forrest A. Heath, Joseph S. Wood, C. D. Henderson, Charles B. Elliott

If any proof were needed that the day has passed when Christian Science was merely a subject for ridicule, it was provided on Sunday afternoon [Nov. 19], when an audience which crowded the Grand Theater in every part—large numbers were turned away—listened with rapt attention and interest to a lengthy exposition of the doctrine by one of its chief professors. It was the desire to know that drew such a crowd, and which led to its listening so carefully to the lecture, in which were stated the broad fundamentals of a religion which professes to teach men how to approach the source of life for the gift of life. The lecturer was William D. McCrackan, M.A., who is just completing a tour of the world, having spoken at many places in the east, and through Australia and South Africa. Another circumstance adding interest to the meeting was that the chairman was a gentleman who had previously been in medical practice locally, Walter Wilding, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., of Manchester, and formerly medical officer of health for Hindley. His address, dealing with personal experience of the new doctrine, had been keenly anticipated, and in the large audience were several members of the medical profession.

After extending a welcome to the large gathering, the chairman said they were met to speak about the truths of Christian Science which had been so misrepresented in the press. At one time he was prejudiced against this religion, because he did not understand it. He was then a doctor practising medicine not many miles from that theater, and though he had spent nearly twenty years in the study of it there was much sickness in his home which he could not cure by medical means. His three children were all delicate. His eldest, a girl, was wasting away with tuberculosis of the hip-joint. Everything had been done; medical science could do nothing more for her. "My sister, who was then living in California," the chairman continued, "begged me to try Christian Science, as through this treatment my father had been saved from a very serious operation and restored to health. At first I would not listen, but eventually I turned to it. It was then practically unknown in the north of England. At my request a Christian Science practitioner came from London to my home, and the outcome of her prayer was the healing of my daughter. I did not give up medical practice then. I continued to practise for more than a year, but at the same time I studied Christian Science, and at times recommended Christian Science to those patients who were beyond my medical aid. In that way I witnessed several cases of wonderful healing of otherwise incurable disease. Gradually as I studied I realized that the healing work in Christian Science was based upon an understanding of law, of law that is eternal, 'the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which makes free from the belief or material sense of law that results in disease and death. After giving up medical practice ten years ago, I continued to study Christian Science, and am striving to understand and practise this 'law of the Spirit of life,' and am daily finding it more effective, more health-giving, more joy-giving, and more life-giving. I could never go back to the old way."—Bolton News.

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