Article August 10, 1912 Issue

THE LECTURES

with contributions from Frank E. Jennings, Mr. Wheeler, B.R. McCabe, Judge Holden, Judge Grimm, Charles Mitschrich

Before a large and deeply interested audience at the Duval theater, Virgil O. Stricklerdelivered a lecture on the fundamentals and tenets of Christian Science. Mr. Strickler was introduced by Frank E. Jennings, a prominent attorney of Jacksonville, who said in part,—

The Christian Science church, not only in Jacksonville but elsewhere, has existed for so long and so honorably, the grade of intelligence of its members is so high, and the purity of the life and activities of its members, as a rule, is such, that certainly no one, at least in any representative audience, would need to apologize for being a Christian Scientist, but at the same time I feel that the churches of Jacksonville are working so much in unity, so much in harmony at the present time, that no one need apologize for not being a Christian Scientist. However, I am one of those who believe there is something radically wrong with the individual who does not care to hear the truth, in whatever form it may be presented; and there is something wrong with that individual who does not care to hear what other intelligent, strong-minded individuals believe to be the truth, and who will not take upon himself the task of determining whether or not it is the truth.

I believe every individual should be open to conviction. I have heard the story of an old man who said he was always open to conviction, but that he wanted to see the color of the man's hair who could convince him. We should not be that way. It is with pleasure that I am here this afternoon, and I expect to profit by it. Churches and religions would suffer materially if they actually believed what it is many times stated they stand for and believe, and if they were as represented by many of those outside of that denomination. In other words, it is very difficult indeed to judge of a church or denomination by what is said on the outside; and each religious faith very often suffers because the unintelligent members misrepresent their own faith; and much more so do they misrepresent the faith of other denominations.

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