The Lectures

Introductions to Lectures

with contributions from Emily Swift, Evelyn J. Barton, E. Alexander Jack, Ada F. Young

Tacoma, Washington (Second Church).

Lecturer: Miss M. Ethel Whitcomb; introduced by Mrs. Emily Swift, who said:—

In the fifth chapter of Matthew we read, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." These words came to me one night twelve years ago, when I was praying to God to comfort me and to help me. I did not know the meaning of this angelic message, but the words never left me. Some months later when lying at the point of death from an incurable kidney disease, one kidney entirely gone and the other badly affected, and having been given up by eight physicians, the light of Truth was presented to me. I read the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and a faint light dawned on me. I threw away my medicine, dismissed the nurse, and by degrees arose from my bed. This light continued to guide me through the deep waters and to meet my every need—mental, physical, and financial. And it is available to everyone here.

Southern Pines, North Carolina (Society).

Lecturer: Frank Bell; introduced by Mrs. Evelyn J. Barton, who said:—

That the healing Christ is as available to-day as in the time when Christ Jesus lived and walked upon this earth, has been proved to me beyond question. Six years ago, while suffering from cancer, after medical and surgical aid had been exhausted, and I was worse rather than better, I turned to Christian Science for help and was completely healed.

On the fifth day after requesting help, in an effort to realize more of God's presence, I spent almost the entire day in reading the Bible, the Christian Science literature, and repeating familiar hymns. Toward night, as I lay on a couch meditating, there came to me the divine presence Mrs. Eddy speaks of so beautifully in our well-loved hymn (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 389; Poems, p. 4), "O gentle presence, peace and joy and power." That presence flooded my consciousness with peace and joy and love, and all fear vanished. Although it was some months before my healing was complete, from that time I regained strength rapidly, never doubting that the healing would be realized. I am most grateful for this healing and for the beautiful experience.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Fourth Church).

Lecturer: Dr. Hendrik Jan de Lange; introduced by E. Alexander Jack, who said:—

If each and every one of you were asked what you desired above everything else, I am confident that your replies could be summed up in the one word "happiness." Happiness is the "pearl of great price" for which all humanity is continually striving. To our sense of things it may seem an illusive thing, a sort of will-o'-the-wisp, and, at best, a matter of luck or chance; but this is entirely erroneous. Happiness is an attribute of God. John declares, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God;" and Paul writes, "If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Then if we are sons and heirs of God, and happiness is an attribute of God, happiness is our inalienable birthright; and if we are not finding it, it is because we are seeking it where it is not.

Christian Science, revealing as it does the true nature of God and of man's relation to God, unfolds to us the divine Principle which, if applied, will bring happiness into our lives as certainly as the rules of music bring harmony when applied; and everyone can prove this fact for himself, just as hundreds of thousands of people all over the world are proving it.

Katonah, New York (First Church).

Lecturer: Dr. John M. Tutt; introduced by Mrs. Ada F. Young, who said:—

Our great Teacher and Saviour, Christ Jesus, has left with all mankind this wonderful promise: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth." This Comforter, Christian Science, came with its message of healing to my family over twenty years ago. A sister, who had been unable to walk for several years, was permanently healed by reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. It was not strange that I should accept this message of Love, finding therein my own healing of a so-called incurable disease.

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