Article August 29, 1914 Issue

The Lectures

with contributions from A. J. de Graaf, N. D. Darlington, Arthur W. Eckman, Lewis R. Works, H. P. Hitchcock, E. M. Cohee, James A. Devitt, Carleton H. Parker, N. A. Baker

The first Christian Science lecture in Amsterdam was given by Bicknell Young on March 12, in the building of the "Vrije Gemeente" (Free Congregation) which was kindly lent for the occasion. Mr. A. J. de Graaf, the president of the Free Congregation, introduced the lecturer and said:—

When we were asked by the Christian Science Society of Amsterdam to lend them our church for a lecture on Christian Science, we met to consider whether we should open our doors to them. We then consulted our statutes, and found that the purpose of our society was to promote the religious life in a liberal, undogmatic way. These three points then presented themselves for our consideration: Can Christian Science be numbered among the religious movements? Is the movement of such importance that there is a reason for us to hear it explained? Is the lecturer who will address us thoroughly competent? It did not seem desirable to us that those who only partly understand a religious movement, should be free to lecture on it.

On the first two points we could reply in the affirmative, while as regards the third, we were informed that Mr. Young is a member of the board of lectureship of The Mother Church in Boston, Mass., and as such is officially qualified to explain Christian Science. We therefore felt obliged to open our doors for this lecture, and hope that we too will learn something from what we are going to hear.

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