Article October 2, 1915 Issue

The Lectures

with contributions from Francis V. Galloway, Herbert M. Haskell, A. R. Cook

The circuit court chambers of the county court-house were crowded to capacity when Bliss Knapp delivered an eloquent and inspiring lecture on "Christian Science: The Revelation of Divine Power." Francis V. Galloway presided, and in introducing the speaker he said in part:—

I am not a Christian Scientist, and probably there are many in this audience who are not Christian Scientists, so I feel like speaking a word for myself and for them in saying that we all hope and expect to be reasonable persons, broad-minded and tolerant citizens, and when a distinguished visitor comes to us with a message or words of enlightenment concerning some great movement, we owe it to ourselves to give him a thoughtful and attentive hearing. I have noticed that the speaker of this evening has not been heralded to us as an evangelist or propagandist, but as a lecturer,—one who expounds and explains that which to many of us would otherwise be an unopened book.

Now whether or not we believe in Christian Science, we all have profound respect for it. There are several reasons why we should not be hide-bound skeptics on this subject. The first reason I see is that such skepticism is the badge of a shallow mind and reflects discredit only upon itself and those who hold that opinion. The second reason is that Christian Science is too big a thing to be despised. Christian Science today numbers its churches by the hundreds and its devotees by the thousands. Right here in our own community some of our most intelligent and worthy citizens hold to that belief. It is not for me or any one to criticize their creed or to profane the altar at which they worship. If for no other reason than the very practical one of policy, we should respect them in their belief. We get along better when we do.

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