The Lectures

with contributions from Louis Grosenbaugh, Attorney Frank Ryan, F. W. Smith, George Silas Hall, A. C. Woods

PETOSKEY, MICH. (First Church).—Ezra W. Palmer, lecturer; introduced by the Rev. Louis Grosenbaugh, who said in part:—

Speaking of more recent developments in the sphere of religion, our attention is at once directed to Christian Science. Its growth and fruitage have been truly phenomenal, and its record is almost without a parallel. The name "Christian Science" at once challenges attention. What I mean by this will be understood when I say that Christ Jesus on the one hand and science on the other are preeminently the dominating forces in present-day life. No intelligent man will deny that the world of today is rapidly yielding to the teaching of Christ and accepting the findings of science. To be truly Christlike, and to be genuinely scientific, means for us in these days the highest and best to which man can attain. How much of the teaching of Christ and how much of the finding of science the great movement before us has assimilated, will very likely appear in the lecture to which we shall soon listen.

Like every other new movement in the world's religious history, Christian Science has met with strong and bitter opposition. Much of this unkind criticism is, I am sure, the outgrowth of misconceptions as to what Christian Science really embodies. In many instances a false image has been set up, and against this caricature men have vented their spleen. Such criticism need not be taken seriously. The critics threw stones at the prophets and they put a crown of thorns on the head of Christ Jesus, but this did not bring to naught any of the things for which Christ and the prophets had stood. But Christian Science is facing the dawn of better days. Its phenomenal growth on the one hand and its fine fruitage on the other are rapidly putting the mistaken and unfriendly critics to silence. The logic of facts is winning out. The tree is coming to be known by its fruits.—The Petoskey News.

WEISER, IDAHO (Society).—Dr. Walton Hubbard, lecturer; introduced by Attorney Frank Ryan, who said in part:—

Christianity and civilization have produced many creeds, and those creeds have in turn developed advocates of all degrees of religious enthusiasm. To me the least admirable Christian, if Christian he can be called, is the one who fails to apply his religion to his every-day life, who takes his religion only as a best suit for Sunday wear. A church should be measured by the quality of men and women it produces. While myself not a Christian Scientist, I number many of that faith among my friends and acquaintances, and have been pleased to note their zeal in their work and endeavor to apply the fundamentals of their faith in daily life. They occasion admiration because they do not practise empty forms, but appeal to the reason, and through it endeavor to reach the heart and soul. An institution which can thus compel admiration and show the almost phenomenal growth it has, besides numbering among its members so many worthy and intellectual people, must have much to commend it and justify its existence.

HIGHLAND PARK, ILL. (First Church).—Virgil O. Strickler, lecturer; introduced by F. W. Smith, who said in part:—

The one quest of all mankind is for happiness. One looks for it in achievement, another in acquiring knowledge or great learning. Some hope to find it in the exercise of power or influence, and many pursue it in pleasure or the possession of wealth, only to say with Solomon of old, "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity," or to find the long sought golden apples filled with ashes. But whether the journey be through narrow and winding by-paths or along the broad highway, the goal is always the same,—happiness.

Some fifty years ago a consecrated woman made the discovery that true happiness consists in living in harmony with absolute good, or God. Now, to dwell in harmony with God it is necessary to know God, and Mrs. Eddy's dicovery of scientific Christianity, by interpreting the Scriptures in their spiritual meaning, discloses to us an ever present God who is infinite Love, whom we can reflect with ever increasing clearness, and in whom we can live with ever increasing harmony. The Master said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

TAMPA, FLA. (First Church).—Willis F. Gross, lecturer; introduced by George Silas Hall, who said in part:—

The words Christian Science were first applied to the religious movement which started nearly fifty years ago in one of the small states among the hills, not of Judæa, but of New England. The author of this great movement was not a mighty potentate or of ecclesiastical descent, but a mild, gentle, loving type of womanhood, whose receptive ear caught the whisper of a "still small voice," which said, "Peace, be still." She at once began to whisper this message of peace to others, with the result that there are today several million men, women, and children who are daily and hourly sending out a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for blessings received physically, morally, and mentally.

The Tampa Tribune.

ROCKFORD, ILL. (First Church).—John Randall Dunn, lecturer; introduced by A. C. Woods, who said in part:—

Christian Science presents to the world today the undivided garment of religion as taught and practised by Christ Jesus nineteen centuries ago. As a rule the churches in general have been unanimous in their efforts to better mankind, and no doubt have accomplished much good in the world, but there has been lacking the complete fulfilment of Jesus' command wherein he admonished his disciples not only to preach the gospel but also to heal the sick, and added, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;" and he further stated, "By their fruits ye shall know them." It is the endeavor of Christian Scientists to fulfil the entire demands of the Master, both in preaching the gospel and in healing the sick.

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