Article May 25, 1918 Issue

The Lectures

with contributions from Earl Virden, George W. Opell

Barrington, Ill. (Society).—John Randall Dunn, lecturer; introduced by Earl Virden, Sr., who said in part:—

Before I had any intimate knowledge of Christian Science, I had the hackneyed opinion that Christian Scientists were an overzealous class of fanatics who worshiped Mrs. Eddy, and I frankly admit that one Sunday morning I left my home and went to one of their churches in Chicago to get a good look at these people to see what they were like. Very much to my surprise I noticed going into this church a lot of representative people of Chicago, men whom I knew—some of them my friends. I was prompted to remain to the close of the service in order that I might take another look at them. The next Sunday I ventured into the church and enjoyed the simple and interesting service. On Wednesday evening I attended a testimony meeting and came away with the impression that Christian Scientists were either the greatest prevaricators I had ever heard or Christian Science was the most wonderful thing in all the world. I was prompted to investigate it further, so procured a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and some of the other writings by Mrs. Eddy, and looked into the subject a little more.

I was surprised to find that there were something like twelve hundred churches of this denomination. I learned that The Mother Church had been dedicated at a cost of nearly two million dollars and that about forty thousand Christian Scientists had assembled on the occasion of this dedication. As I became interested in the textbook I found that Christian Scientists depend absolutely on God to meet every need, but I could not understand how, if there was anything the matter with me, I could altogether depend on God. I thought if there was anything wrong with my body, something would have to be put in it or on it, something would have to be done to it—that God had to be helped along. A little later, however, there came about in my life a condition that apparently was about to wreck my future, and I readily began to appreciate that there was nothing of a material nature which would alter the situation; I had an opportunity to put the matter to the test, and am very happy to say to-night that even a slight understanding of Christian Science has helped me to pursue my duties intelligently; has taken care of every need that has come into my life in the past five years.

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