Article October 18, 1919 Issue

The Lectures

with contributions from A. Chisholm, William C. Holbrook, Mary Fowler, George J. Schwartz, Cassius M. Caughey, Guy F. Wright, Lyle Young Lomax, W. S. Pond

Portsmouth, England (First Church).—John W. Doorly, lecturer; introduced by Mrs. A. Chisholm, who said in part:—

The majority of those who to-day are called Christian Scientists, have become such because Christian Science promises a present relief from sin and sickness. I was brought up in an orthodox church. As far back as I can remember, I endeavored to live consistently with what I believed to be right; but I knew it was a failure—I was not satisfied. I knew, too, that the Bible was full of rich promises, that God was "a very present help in trouble," and would deliver those who called upon Him; and yet I knew that I had not experienced deliverance, although I had prayed fervently for myself and those I loved.

Gradually I was losing faith and hope. The culminating point came at the time of the South African war. The beginning of that war was fraught with many disasters to the British, and a day was appointed for prayer and intercession. I was living abroad at the time, and the little English church in that town observed the day too. At that time my highest sense of loyalty was to go to church and pray earnestly that my country should be successful. Living abroad I had access to foreign newspapers. These papers were anti-British and described the Boer leader as a God-fearing man whose cause was just. While I was waiting in that church the startling questions occurred to me: "Which side is God going to help?" "How do I know which is just?" I felt convinced that the prayer I had intended to pray was useless. That day I did not pray, and left the church feeling miserable and darkened. Shortly afterwards we returned to England, and for eighteen months I had a hard time mentally and physically. I attended church as usual, but all the life was gone out of it and private prayer was almost given up.

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