Article June 28, 1913 Issue

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE LECTURE

WILLIAM D. MCCRACKAN, M.A.

It must often come to the thought of practical Christian Scientists how they can best prepare for the lecture, and likewise further its true purpose when attending it. In this connection it will be well for them to turn to the Church Manual and there read that "it is the duty of the board of lectureship to include in each lecture a true and just reply to public topics condemning Christian Science, and to bear testimony to the facts pertaining to the life of the Pastor Emeritus" (Article XXXI, Sect. 2). The principal purpose of the lectures, therefore, is to correct public misconceptions concerning Christian Science and its Discoverer and Founder.

Turning to "Rudimental Divine Science" by Mrs. Eddy, on page 15 we find a fundamental distinction between public lectures and class teaching. Mrs. Eddy writes, "It is impossible to teach thorough Christian Science to promiscuous and large assemblies, or to persons who cannot be addressed individually, so that the mind of the pupil may be dissected more critically than the body of a subject laid bare for anatomical examination. Public cannot be such lessons on Christian Science as are required to empty and to fill anew the individual mind."

It is evident from these words that Mrs. Eddy had in view for the public lectures a work different from that of class teaching. Now, taking the words from the Church Manual and from "Rudimental Divine Science" together, the inference is natural that the Christian Science lectures are addressed primarily to the general public. The Christian Scientists of the locality in which the lecture is held have invited a member of the board to address their fellow residents. They have thrown the doors wide open and extended a general invitation to all to partake with them of the feast provided. The lecture is a free gift, a love offering. The Christian Scientists are the hosts upon this occasion, the general public is their guest.

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