The Lectures
Halifax, Yorkshire, England (First Church).—John W. Doorly, lecturer; introduced by Major Duncan Webb, who said in part:—
A good many years ago, before I became a Christian Scientist, I was engaged in writing an article, called "The Reconciliation of Theology and Science." I had been working at this subject and pondering it over about two years, when one day, sitting in my study at home, I suddenly found myself, as it were, standing on a vast plain. It was very dark, but I could just see, by a flicker of light, away on the distant horizon. Wherever I went I saw nothing but ruins—ruins of temples, ruins of places, ruins of churches, ruins of business houses. Everything was a ruin.
Overwhelmed at the scene of awful desolation, I said, "Are there no foundations anywhere?" Then somehow I became conscious of a voice which said: "These are the ruins of human beliefs; this is the law of the elimination of error. Move toward the Light." I at once started to obey, but I very soon found that Truth is not reached at a single bound; that it is approached step by step. I also discovered that the propelling power is this law of the elimination of error, under pressure of which we are compelled gradually to give up error, and thus to advance step by step toward Truth. As I pondered over these things I made a further advance; for I realized that this elimination of error must, in the fullness of time, ultimate in the destruction of all error, and I asked myself, "What will the final state of man be?" I dimly recognized that this final state of man must be perfection, and then the words of the great Teacher came to my thought, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." At this point I came to a complete standstill. I could discern perfection, but I could not express it, until Christian Science came to lead me on. Who is the perfect man? Christ is the perfect man, and Christian Science, which is founded entirely on the Bible, teaches the practice of the perfect man—the Science of Christ; that is why it is called Christian Science.
Halifax Courier.
Cambridge, Mass. (First Church).—Paul Stark Seeley, lecturer; introduced by Robert E. Buffum, who said in part:—
In these times of stress and trial a lecture on Christian Science is a particular blessing to any community. At this time in the world's history, when the earth seems to be flooded with fear, doubt, hate, and their sad effects, and when untold human sacrifices are being unselfishly and courageously made in defense of the ideals of liberty, it is only natural that those who have heretofore been indifferent to religious appeals should now, in prayerful longings, turn their thoughts Godward in search of a Savior. There is convincing evidence on every hand of a great universal and genuine religious awakening which gives positive assurance of the dawning of the day when the kingdom of God and the brotherhood of man will be realized, international comity established, and the commonwealth of mankind will be an accomplished fact.—Cambridge Chronicle.
Portland, Ore. (Fifth Church).—Dr. Francis J. Fluno, lecturer; introduced by Walter G. Hayes, who said in part:—
Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science, the light that is saving the world and its people. She spent most of her earthly career explaining this discovery through her many writings. The best evidence which proves her teachings to be true, is the testimony of her many followers, heard at Wednesday evening meetings, acknowledging God's healing power through the application of the rules of Christian Science. I have tested Christian Science in the sick chamber, in business dealings, and carried it into the court room where the battle was fierce, and I want to say that it needs no defense at my hands. People feel the need, more than ever to-day, of something substantial to cling to in this world war. Christian Science offers a Principle that is available; it satisfies; it will meet every need of mankind.
Houston, Texas (First Church).—Charles I. Ohrenstein, lecturer; introduced by J. D. Sherwood, who said in part:—
Christian Science is meeting the needs of a great multitude of people throughout the whole world. Its practice lifts the human consciousness out of its dense materiality, and inspires it with a more spiritual apprehension of the divine nature. Through its wholesome ministrations the earnest desire of those who are seeking a better understanding of God, is answered by "signs following." It heals the sick, it reforms the sinner, and it comforts the sorrowing by the same spiritual means, and every sincere inquirer may to-day gain an understanding of its teachings that will enable him to prove for himself the truth of all that is claimed for Christian Science as being the most efficient remedial agency on earth to-day.—Houston Post.
Bronxville, N. Y. (Society).—Willis F. Gross, lecturer; introduced by Willis J. Abbott, who said in part:—
For three centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus the primitive church healed the sick and purged the sinner by the declaration of truth, and by denial of the error that God could have brought sickness and sin into the world, or finding them there would permit their continuance. How the practice of healing fell into disuse among the Christians of the early church, or just how and by what malign force faith in drugs came to be substituted for faith in God, we do not know. But we do know that about fifty years ago Mrs. Eddy, after being healed of what had been pronounced an incurable disease, sought out the law by which her own cure was effected, and made it so readily understandable in Christian Science that hundreds of thousands have appealed to it with success.
