Article April 10, 1915 Issue

The Lectures

with contributions from W. R. Givens, Mayor Zent

W. R. Givens, editor of the Kingston Daily Standard, in introducing Virgil O. Strickler, who lectured on Christian Science, said in part:—

I myself am not a Christian Scientist, and I have no doubt that there are others in this audience who are not. But though this be, we all of us must recognize the wonderful growth of Christian Science and the equally wonderful work it has done and is doing. It has reached into all the world with its churches by the hundreds and its followers by the thousands upon thousands. When I was in Boston recently and attended a service there at The Mother Church, I was greatly impressed with the vast crowd who thronged that magnificent edifice. They were cultured, intelligent, refined, prosperous people, and seeing them, one could not but be impressed with the fact that they were no faddists or followers of a mere cult, but were people of position and standing, who not only had the courage of their convictions but were supremely happy in them.

The Christian Science growth is all the more remarkable when we recall that from many sources comes the complaint that the church generally is losing its influence and its hold upon the people. In the face of this admitted fact, this general decline, it is as amazing as it is significant that Christian Science is adding at an average one new church every three days of each week of the year, and is wielding a mighty influence for good in every part of the world. What the reason for this is I do not presume to say, but it will at least not be amiss to point out that one explanation may be that Christian Science has gone back to the fundamentals of Christianity, since it is following the command of Jesus to the disciples: "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick." In short, as I understand it, this is a practical Christianity, and it believes that Christ's command was no empty one, but was and is to be obeyed. And so we find Science and Science healing everywhere; and also that to its adherents, men and women alike, there come through their religion a peace of mind, a serenity of disposition, and a sweetness and light that are beautiful. That Christian Science has come to stay, and that the world is immeasurably better for it, are facts that can now no longer be doubted.—Correspondence.

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