Editorial June 28, 1913 Issue

THE LECTURE SERVICE

Archibald McLellan

At the beginning of another year of work in the lecture field, we are glad to comply with the request for a republication of the letter addressed by our revered Leader to the board of lectureship in the earlier stages of this great work for humanity, believing that it will likewise be an inspiration to every Christian Scientist. We are also giving, by request of the board of lectureship, a part of the editorial, "The Lecture Service," which appeared in the Sentinel of June 22, 1912. The growing importance of this work is shown by the increased attendance at the lectures, the number of persons comprising the various audiences during the past year having been, in round numbers, about 850,000, an increase of about 110,000 over the previous year. We quote from the editorial referred to as follows:—

The importance of the lecture work as an authorized means of disseminating in a community, aside from the regular church services, an accurate knowledge of Christian Science and the facts pertaining to the life and work of its Discoverer and Founder, Mrs. Eddy, is emphasized by these figures. It is, therefore, with the desire to impress upon the branch churches the need for even more earnest and thoughtful cooperation, that attention is directed to the list of lecturers for the coming year on page 852 of this issue; also to the necessity of arranging for the lecture or lectures which are to be given, as soon as possible after July 1, the beginning of the lecture year. If before the end of July the lecturers are able to make up their schedule for the year, they can plan their trips to the advantage of all concerned, and this is often an important consideration with the smaller churches and societies.

The annual circular of the board of lectureship has been mailed to the clerks of all branch churches and societies having cards in the Journal, and the instructions therein given should be carefully followed, that the best possible results in every particular may be secured. Seemingly unimportant details ofttimes make for or mar the success of a lecture, and the experience of years in the lecture work has shown the importance of scrupulous care in this direction. Especially should the proper advertising of the lecture have attention, the date, day of he week, place, and hour of the lecture being plainly specified. The local advertising need not begin more than four or five days beforehand, but it should continue in some form to the day of the lecture. Suitable ways of accomplishing this are detailed on page 4 of the circular. The announcement in the "Lectures to be Delivered" column is also important because it reaches many outside the local field, but to insure insertion it must reach the Sentinel not later than Monday of the week in which it is desired that it shall appear.

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