Article May 17, 1913 Issue

THE LECTURES

with contributions from Harry S. Marx, E. D. Levy, William H. McNeal, Louis A. Watres, Edwin Morgan, A. C. Crowder, Charles W. J. Tennant, Frank B. Lown

A lecture on Christian Science was delivered at First Church edifice by William R. Rathvon. He was introduced by Harry S. Marx, who said in part,—

We are living in an age of educational and scientific progress, and as a people we give much attention to the study and investigation of the sciences of chemistry, engineering, medicine, surgery, economics, political science, and many others. We contemplate with pride the achievements and advancement made in these sciences by those who spend their time and labor upon them, but there is one subject with which we individually are so deeply concerned that there always seems to be room for much more attention to it than we generally give as individuals. I refer to the thorough knowledge and understanding of the basic teachings of Christ Jesus, with the purpose of improving our individual attitude toward ourselves and toward our fellow men, and our individual efforts to relieve the world of sin, disease, poverty, and death, a study which should make each one of us happier and which will help each one of us to do something to make the world brighter and better and bring into a present reality the teaching of Jesus that the kingdom of heaven is within us.

Jesus saved sinners, healed disease, overcame poverty, and raised the dead; but these acts were called miracles and are referred to as being supernatural. Jesus, however, taught that he who believed on him (and I think "believe" here means "to understand") should do the works that he did; and he said, "Greater works than these shall he do." Now Christian Scientists believe that the works of Jesus were the result of the definite application of divine Principle; that Jesus thoroughly understood, lived, and applied the laws of this Principle; that instead of being supernatural, the works of Jesus, in the words of one who spent a lifetime in studying the subject, were "supremely natural" (Science and Health, Pref., p. xi); and that the laws of God which he utilized through obedience are just as effective to-day as they were when he was on earth; they are practical laws which we can apply in our daily life as we go about our affairs, whatever they may be.—Correspondence.

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