Article July 6, 1912 Issue

THE LECTURES

with contributions from Don Earl Gilman, Burwell O. Griffin, Mary W. Carter, H. Walton Hubbard, Charles T. Root, B. F. Bonnell

William R. Rathvon lectured on Christian Science March 15. He was introduced by Don Earl Gilman, first reader, who said in part,—

Every new idea, every step toward the upliftment and enlightenment of mankind, has met with opposition and antagonism from those who were ultimately blessed by its application. Before the dawn of the Christian era the Jew and his conception of God stood for the highest spiritual understanding, yet the Hebrew was the most persecuted of peoples. For centuries following the advent of Christianity the followers of the Christ were compelled to worship in secret. To be known publicly as a Christian meant physical abuse even unto death; therefore those early martyrs dared not make known that they espoused the teaching and practise of Jesus of Nazareth. This persecution and intolerance did not arise from knowledge of the philosophy, teaching, or religion of the Jew or Christian, but rather from a lack of that knowledge and a subtle fear that cherished beliefs were in danger of being overthrown.

The eventual overcoming of these untoward conditions has made it possible for men to worship, in the manner of their choosing, at least without fear of physical violence; but even today advancing thought and human progress, which are of necessity mental, have to combat scholastic intolerance and moral antagonism. However, that which is truly progressive, which blazes the trail toward better things for the race, will prevail in the face of trial because of its very nature and because of its inherent quality of productive good. And its ultimate acceptance is proof sufficient that opposition was based upon false supposition.

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