Article September 27, 1913 Issue

The Lectures

with contributions from A. N. Badger, Albert E. Greaza, John P. Young, A. D. Aiken

Judge Clifford P. Smith delivered a lecture on Christian Science at Beethoven hall, where a complimentary audience packed the auditorium. In introducing Judge Smith, the Rev. A. N. Badger, pastor of the Unitarian church of San Antonio, said in part:—

I rejoice in my pleasant privilege of this afternoon for two reasons. First, I find it very congenial to be permitted to introduce to the people of San Antonio a man who hails from my own home city,—dear, quaint, notional Boston. Boston has its peculiarities, its notions; no doubt it has its faults, though I cannot think of any just now. But Boston has always been hospitable to ideas; it gives a new way of thinking about things a fair and square chance of proving itself out; and surely the proving out of Christian Science in Boston has been very satisfactory to Christian Scientists. Without knowing in the least what our speaker is going to say this afternoon, I know that all that this man from Boston has to say will be thoughtful, high-minded, and full of the spirit of the ideal.

Then there is another reason. Of course you understand that I am not a Christian Scientist. Some things about Christian Science I do not understand, and therefore do not assent to; but its fundamental faith I assent to mightily. Because it comes bringing its eager message of universal good will and cheerfulness, sunshine and joy, because it teaches people to put emphasis on the things that make for beauty and health and happiness, and to trust the divine fact of love,—that it is all-conquering and all-progressing,—I believe that the Christian Science movement is a great enterprise for progress. And the message which we came to hear today, while it doubtless will contain some things with which we will not agree, I am sure is one which in its fundamental burden will be for the strengthening of the cause of the religion, not of one church alone, but the cause of all the religion of all the churches in this city; and so I am glad to give him welcome, and to introduce to you the speaker of the afternoon.—Correspondence.

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