BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND.

The Grand Theater at Blackpool was crowded to its utmost capacity on Sunday afternoon last [Nov. 26], when a lecture on Christian Science was delivered by William D. McCrackan, M.A. Dr. Gilbert J. Fowler of Manchester occupied the chair, and in introducing the lecturer said he counted it a privilege to take even a small part in what was known as the Christian Science movement. When he first began to be seriously interested in Christian Science, his attitude was one of skepticism not unmixed with contempt. But, as he learned more and more of what Christian Science really meant, he found that the criticisms which he had read and heard from men whose opinions he respected were not criticisms of Christian Science at all, but what the critic thought Christian Science to be. In natural science—for example, in chemistry—if they wished to demonstrate the truth of a proposition, they put it to the test of experiment.

"I can honestly say," he proceeded, "that Christian Science will stand that test. I have found that it can help in every relation of life—in every detail, from the smallest to the greatest. I have found that it satisfies the highest claim of the intellectual and of the spiritual nature. It is so vast that the wisest man cannot get to the end of it, and yet it is so simple that the child can understand it. I count it, therefore, of the highest importance to every one of us that we should have opportunity to learn what Christian Science really is."—Blackpool Times and Fylde Observer.

GALESBURG, ILL.

Christian Scientists and friends enjoyed a rare treat Friday evening [Jan. 12] at the Universalist church in a lecture by William R. Rathvon, whose subject was "Christian Science: The New Light upon Old Truths." The speaker was given a pleasant introduction by Judge J. D. Welsh of this city, who said in part,—

The growth of Christian Science has been one of the marvels of very recent years. It is but a short time ago since to the minds of outsiders, or to those not giving thought or attention to the subject, Christian Science was a Boston fad. Many regarded it as a fake and the believers in this teaching as deluded fanatics; that the most prominent feature of the Christian Science faith was a denial of the material, a disbelief in anything actual or real except the spiritual, and that the followers of Christian Science were misguided creatures who left their sick to die without medical attendance or the care of a physician, for the doing of which each and all of them should be prosecuted and punished if sane, and if found to be insane to be confined in an asylum. Yet, notwithstanding the jeers and jibes and scoffs of those who had not and would not study or investigate its teachings, Christian Science believers have increased in number and the doctrine has spread with wonderful rapidity.

Christian Science makes its appeal to all, in every walk of life, but it seems to be particularly attractive to two classes of people—the well-to-do and intellectual, and the afflicted, those from whom hope has departed. It is unnecessary to inquire why the first of these two classes is reached, and the answer as to why the second—that is, the afflicted—is attracted and drawn to Christian Science, is apparent to every mind. When the last vestige of hope has departed, when all the approved methods have been tried and failed, when the afflicted one stands alone on the abyss of despair, wrapped in a night of pain, a voice reaches him, "Try Christian Science."

Christian Science teaches no fear, it leaves no heartaches. You have selected the only two things enduring in the experience of mankind—Truth and Love; and you proclaim with a boldness that challenges the attention of the world, that all evil is error, and those of us who are not yet ready to acknowledge your claim may well hope that Truth and Love will some day govern the world. When the skill of the physician has failed, when every remedial agency has been tried, when there seems to be no hope left for many of the suffering ones, they find relief, comfort, and health in teachings of your faith. Anything or any belief or any teaching that can replace tears with smiles, that can take the individual from the depth of despair and give him the radiance of hope, that can roll back the clouds of despondency and leave the sunshine of joy, is beyond the carping critic to injure.—Galesburg Mail.

LOWELL, MASS.

The Lowell Opera House was well filled yesterday afternoon [Dec. 17], when Virgil O. Strickler gave an address on Christian Science. Mr. Strickler was heard with the closest attention, and the lecture proved as instructive as it was interesting. The Rev. C. R. Skinner of Grace Universalist church introduced the speaker, and said in part,—

During the past few generations the world has witnessed a tremendous materialism in all our thinking and feeling and doing. Materialism has touched and tainted the most holy and sacred relations of life. It has crept into the family and substituted the money ideal for the ideal of love. Materialism has become rampant in our industries. Human lives have been ruthlessly destroyed in order to create material wealth. The pleasures of the mind have been engulfed by grosser pleasures of the senses. Even religion has lost most of its spiritual vision and has become blinded by materialism; but I believe that we stand at the parting of the ways, when a reaction is imminent. Idealism is again becoming a characteristic mode of thought, and is reinterpreting life for us in terms of Spirit. This reaction is easily traced in all of our thinking, feeling, and doing. In politics and industry we are again hearing voices of prophets appealing for the conservation of human life. In religion we are again hearing appeal from mere rationalism to a living religion which shall hold inviolated all sanctities.

Christian Science is one of the interpretations of that reaction against materialism which has become so rampant during the past years. Christian Science is an idealistic interpretation of life in terms of the Spirit as the fundamental fact. And again it is standing for the truth that religion is life if it is really lived. Christian Science has become life to its believers in every conceivable relation. It emphasizes the fact that religion when lived produces the highest type of life and results in the maximum of happiness.—Lowell Courier Citizen.

PASADENA, CAL.

Sunday, Dec. 17, Judge Clifford P. Smith lectured to a most attentive audience on "The Real Man and his relation to God." The church edifice, seating fourteen hundred people, was filled and the ushers were obliged to carry in chairs to seat all who came. The speaker was introduced by Judge Septimus J. Hanna, at present residing in Pasadena, who spoke as follows:—

When David, the sweet singer of Israel, rang out in swelling notes that grand pean of praise, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction," he was either giving vent to mere poetic rhapsody or else he was making a declaration of eternal truth. Christian Science teaches that all the sayings of the Scriptural prophets, whether couched in musical verse or in majestic prose, were the substantial averments of divine Truth. It also teaches that the Bible writers meant what they said, and that their sayings, understood, can and should be practically applied in every-day life.

It is evident that Jesus of Nazareth attached to the psalms of David a concrete meaning, for he put their sentiments into practical use in destroying sin and healing all manner of sickness. Moreover, he instructed his disciples how to aid him in carrying on his great work, and declared that all who believed on him should be able to do the works he did and even greater. Mrs. Eddy, grasping the spiritual import of the sayings of David, and the words and works of Jesus, applied them on so broad a scale that through her labors, and the aid of her colaborers, sin is being destroyed and sickness healed throughout the world today. Verily has it been proved, and it is being daily proved, that the words of the great psalmist and the teachings and works of the great Teacher were of vital significance in their day and for all time, and this mighty fact will be emphasized and elaborated by our lecturer here today.—Correspondence.

ROCHDALE, ENGLAND.

Though the afternoon was wet and miserable, most parts of the Rochdale Hippodrome were crowded on Sunday afternoon [Jan. 14] when Bicknell Young, a member of the Christian Science board of lectureship, spoke on the fundamentals of Christian Science.

John W. Doorly of Leeds presided, and said that in face of its enormous work in healing the sick and overcoming sin, no thinking man or woman could afford to be ignorant of Christian Science and its claims. It had not come to strive or to fight against any other religious system or therapeutical system. It came as the Christ always had come, with compassion and tenderness and love. He himself first heard of Christian Science nearly nine years ago. At that time matters religious did not interest him in the slightest, but he had a wife who was very ill. She had had several surgical operations, and at the end of five years, after being under twelve physicians and surgeons, she was worse than at the beginning. Then Christian Science came along, and slowly but surely healed her, changing the whole of his home life. Christian Science performed all these works by teaching men the true nature of God.

Rochdale Observer.

BISHOP, CAL.

Frank H. Leonard delivered a lecture on Christian Science in the Opera House Jan. 2, to an attentive audience. He was introduced by Atty. Leicester C. Hall, who said in part,—

It is with a feeling of gratitude for the religious liberty we enjoy and for the spirit of toleration which characterizes the present age, that I stand here this evening to introduce to you a member of a sect which is comparatively recent, but which has been very active during the past quarter of a century. Whatever our individual faith may be, we must admit that the religion of Christian Science gives to its members a comfort and consolation and a spirit of contentment and peace with the whole world which compels our respect. The members in our community make up in enthusiasm what they lack in numbers, but throughout the country you will never find Christian Scientists lacking in enthusiasm or devotion. They are very much in earnest and they have the courage of their convictions. Not long ago the junior senator of this state, the Hon. John D. Works, had the courage and manhood to stand up in one of the greatest legislative assemblies in the world—the United States Senate—and testify to the mental and physical benefits he had received from Christian Science.

I am glad to see the large attendance here this evening Perhaps a large proportion of this audience, like myself, are not familiar with the teachings of Christian Science. I believe this large attendance indicates a disposition on the part of this community to learn what benefits Christian Science has to offer that can help us on our journey through life.—Correspondence.