The Lectures

with contributions from Mr. Poulson, Henry Israel, Frank S. C. Wicks

Montreal, Canada

At Windsor Hall, Virgil O. Strickler delivered a lecture on Christian Science. He was introduced by the Rev. Mr. Poulson as follows:—

Although not a member of the Christian Science church, but a deeply interested student thereof, it was with pleasure that I accepted the invitation from First Church of Christ, Scientist, to introduce the speaker of this evening.

If there is one star in the religious world today that is attracting more attention than any other, it is the star of Christian Science. The rapidity of its rise, its magnitude, and the brilliancy of its light, have caused a general leveling of the most powerful glasses upon it. It is not my purpose to enlarge upon this teaching; but let me say that the success of Christian Science lies almost solely in the fact of its being an active religious organization in which to believe is not enough; there must be "signs following." The churches of today are all ready and only too faithful to obey the divine command to preach. There is no lack of preachers of high standard, trained and educated. Money, time, and energy in abundance are spent in the production of preachers; but why the latter part of Christ's command should be censored by the churches, is a mystery,—"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils." Surely the church does not mean to say that there are no sick to heal, no lepers to cleanse, no dead to raise, no devils to cast out.

Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of the Christian Science church, was enabled to see, and that in no uncertain way, that the power exercised in Christ's time is unchangeable, and has not only proved by her own life, but also by the lives of thousands of her followers who have studied her teachings, that "divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494). Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever," and this fact is proved by thousands, who gladly and willingly testify to sickness healed, hopes revived, despair dispelled, and that great bane of human life, fear, banished by the power of Truth.

The purpose of this lecture is not to debate or yet to abuse other systems of religious thought and belief, neither is it a sheep-stealing expedition. Christian Science neither believes in nor practises any of these. No, the lecture is to state the truth of Christian Science honestly,—what it is and what it stands for.—Correspondence.

Ossining, N. Y.

A lecture on Christian Science was given by Prof. Hermann S. Hering at the Parthenon Theater, and there were about four hundred persons present. Henry Israel, editor of Rural Manhood and secretary of the county work department of the international committee, Y. M. C. A., introducing the lecturer, said:—

It is a real pleasure to refresh my mind with the delightful memories of my stay of two years and a half in Concord, N. H., as secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association. Particularly outstanding is the vivid recollection of the godly woman, Mrs. Eddy, who demonstrated her benevolent spirit, while on a visit to her home, with a check of five hundred dollars to the association building fund. Upon a further request she supplemented this gift with another generous contribution. I am also glad on this occasion, as a member of an evangelical church, to testify to the splendid demonstration of the healing power of faith and prayer with which I was impressed. I am sure that evangelical Christianity will do well to recognize more fully that healing element of the teaching of our Lord to which Christian Science gives such emphasis.—Ossining Citizen.

Indianapolis, Ind.

At a lecture on Christian Science by Bicknell Young in Second Church edifice, the Rev. Frank S. C. Wicks of the Unitarian church introduced the lecturer as follows:—

I accepted with much pleasure your invitation to be here this evening to introduce the one who is to address you. It is to be hoped that we have come here with only one motive,—a real desire to learn the truth; with the faith that could we but know the truth it would set us free,—free from all the evils that pursue human life. The man-made walls of sectarianism disappear when we no longer recognize them, and we stand united by our common desire to find the truth and incorporate it into our lives. My appearance here as an individual has little importance, for as an individual I am but a grain of sand on the shore of the infinite sea; but my appearance here as a symbol is of significance, since I symbolize the new spirit that has entered into the relations of church to church.

We recognize three stages in the history of the relations between churches of differing convictions. The first stage was that of antagonism, when each sect claimed that it alone had the truth, and all others were in error. Thus it was that bitterness, hatred, and persecution followed in natural course. This stage gave place to the era of toleration. Against the black background of bigotry, tolerance seems to shine as a virtue; but in the white light of today, it is seem but as the step toward a virtue. That brings us to the third stage, which is just beginning,—sympathy between religions. This sympathy is based upon the recognition that Truth is infinite, and in seeking to reach and bless mankind it takes many channels. We know now that our one channel cannot contain all the waters of life.

I am glad to feel that it is not sympathy alone that binds you and me. As a Unitarian I stand with you on what I believe is your fundamental faith,—the belief that there is but one Principle in the universe, and that Principle is good. Neither of us finds it necessary to bring in a devil to explain what is called evil. We do not find a bit of earth large enough for a devil to stand upon. Each of us explains the universe in terms of goodness.

In introducing the speaker of the evening, I can pray only for the grace of an open mind. Let us divest ourselves of all prejudice and prepossession, and listen for the truth with the conviction that the truth will make us free.

Correspondence.

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