Article February 22, 1913 Issue

THE LECTURES

with contributions from J. Lenox Ward, Albert C. Swan, Seth D. Bingham, A. D. Knittle

The lecture on Christian Science by Virgil O. Strickler in the Masonic Temple hall was well attended by an appreciative audience. J. Lenox Ward, prosecuting attorney, in introducing Mr. Strickler, said:—

The cause of the enthusiasm of the adherents of Christian Science is that they believe they have caught a glimpse of the true nature of God; while their explanation of the violent criticism by their opponents is that their opponents are fiercely attacking a misconception of the teaching of Christian Science, and not the teaching itself. It may be well to act upon the admonition of Gamaliel of old, "Let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Whether or not this doctrine is of men or of God, and whether or not it is a dying or a living belief, the fact that in the third of a century since its foundation it has established churches in all civilized countries and in all cities of any importance in this country, shows the prosperity which the church has enjoyed. It is time, if criticism be made, that it be made intelligently, and that all people should understand its precepts and Principle, as most of the differences of opinions and anguish of mind are caused by misunderstandings. It is well people are desiring to get the truth; and I believe that is why you are here tonight, to gain a more thorough understanding of the doctrine and Principle of the Christian Science church.—Yakima Herald.

Bliss Knapp, who lectured at the Public hall on Christian Science, was greeted with a large attendance. W. Melland, who presided, said this movement had been so very much misunderstood in the past, and was being misunderstood today, though in a lesser degree,—very often due to sheer ignorance,—that it seemed only right that a board of lectureship should be established which could send its lecturers all over the world to do away with the misapprehension under which Christian Science had lain for so long. That this misapprehension existed was not, he thought, at all astonishing when they remembered how much people took their opinions of subjects ready-made from the newspapers. The daily press had not grasped the meaning and significance of Christian Science, and therefore when it did speak about it in its columns it frequently misrepresented it.

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