Article March 9, 1912 Issue

THE LECTURES

with contributions from Charles M. Shaw, Samuel Belford, Helen Wilson, A. V. Louderback, O. E. Flint, C. E. Arnold

A lecture on Christian Science by William D. McCrackan, M.A., was given Nov. 20 in the Grand Assembly Rooms. The lecture hall was packed, many having to listen through the open doors. The lecturer was introduced by the Rev. Charles M. Shaw of Manchester, who spoke in part as follows:—

For eighteen years I had been a minister in the denomination in which not only myself but my parents had been trained from childhood. I was, in a conventional way, happy in my work, and had much encouragement, but I became very unsettled in my thought. I was conscious of the fact that my hold upon the doctrines in which I had been brought up was being loosened as the result of the new light which criticism and research were throwing upon them. In addition to this, I experienced a growing concern at the apparent failure of orthodox Christianity to meet the demands of the age. I was dismayed at the great gap between the ideals of Christianity and the achievements of the churches as evidenced in our social, industrial, and political life. Something was wrong, and I knew not what beyond a vague sense that we needed a more spiritual faith.

Christian Science was brought to my notice in a rather singular way. As the result of a sermon I had preached one of my hearers said he was sure I would be interested in the teachings of Christian Science, and offered to send me some literature. I promised to read it, and became greatly interested. Eventually I got the text-book, but I read it with difficulty—it puzzled and irritated me in turn. About this time, quite unsought by me, I came across several cases of Christian Science healing, and into touch with Christian Scientists from whom I learned much. All this time I was reading everything I could obtain against Christian Science, with the object of refuting it, but I met with no serious answer. My interest grew, the day came when I realized that Christian Science gave to me what I had long been seeking, and then it was incumbent upon me to resign my church.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE MOTHER CHURCH