Introductions to Lectures

New Orleans, Louisiana (First Church).

Lecturer: John Ellis Sedman; introduced by Joseph Carl Markstein, who said:—

On the wall of our church, as in many other Christian Science churches throughout the world, appear these words from Science and Health (p. 494): "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." Only twelve words, yet perhaps no statement ever penned, regardless of its length, has brought to suffering humanity more of peace, of happiness, of comfort, of hope, than this one sentence, breathing as it does the compassion and divine inspiration that guided Mrs. Eddy in all her work.

Divine Love meets all our needs, not just some of them, and it meets them not partly but completely, in bountiful, overflowing measure. And because it does this, the statement just quoted exemplifies Christian Science and its healing mission.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (First Church).

Lecturer: Bicknell Young; introduced by Harold Thomas Logan, who said:—

About seventeen years ago a very close friend of mine was healed through Christian Science of a severe case of tuberculosis of the lungs and other physical ailments after doctoring and using material means for a number of years without any success. This healing made such a deep impression on me that I decided to study the subject earnestly for myself. I did so, and in due course this was followed by healings in our own home, the first of which was that of our eldest son, then a child of two and a half or three years, who was healed of hernia. Since that time we have had many healings in our home and have found that whenever faithfully and properly applied Christian Science has never failed to meet our needs.

Christian Science is based squarely on the teachings and practice of our Master, Christ Jesus. It is recorded in the Gospel of John that Jesus said, "For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth," and in another place he said, "Though ye believe not me, believe the works."

Seattle, Washinton (Fourth Church).

Lecturer: Robert Stanley Ross; introduced by Charles Thomas Hutson, who said:—

When Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, gave to the multitudes his loving invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," it was not limited to those who were within the sound of his voice, but was extended to all mankind and for all time. Notwithstanding this, untold suffering and misery have burdened humanity from that day to this, because the real import of this invitation was not understood. It was believed not to have a present application, but to appertain only to the hereafter. Not so did Jesus intend it, and the joy he spread and the numerous healings he effected while in the flesh attest his meaning.

Not until Christian Science was brought to this age by Mary Baker Eddy was the Bible, God's Word, so interpreted and explained that its promises became scientifically practicable, so that we are privileged, here and now, to receive and enjoy them, and no longer need to suffer and wait.

The full import of Jesus' invitation came to me over twenty years ago, when I was suffering from bronchial asthma. After exhausting all known material remedies, and after being advised by my physicians to leave Seattle and try other climates, I sought relief in Christian Science and found the promised rest. I was completely healed in less than four weeks.

Sausalito, California (First Church; Society, Belvedere; joint lecture).

Lecturer: John Randall Dunn; introduced by Miss Belle Kant, who said:—

We read in Science and Health (p. 596), "Christian Science brings God much nearer to man, and makes Him better known as the All-in-all, forever near." Our desire is to share with you the blessings which a closer relationship with our good and loving Father brings, and the message we are about to hear will lift us all to the realization that David attained when he sang, "I will fear no evil: for thou art with me."

Many years ago, the knowledge of God's presence, power, and love, gained through the reading of the Christian Science textbook, healed me of a spinal curvature for which I had worn a steel jacket from childhood. Since then I have seen Christian Science heal many diseases and solve all manner of human problems, and its teachings have proved to me that God is "a very present help in trouble."

Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey, England (First Church).

Lecturer: Miss Margaret Murney Glenn; introduced by James Crawley, who said:—

When I began to study the Christian Science textbook by Mary Baker Eddy, I soon realized how very little I knew about the Bible and God and man; but as I progressed in this study the understanding of the relationship of man to God was revealed to me through its teachings. I can most gratefully say that I found not only comfort and joy, but a practical religion which is helping me morally, mentally, and physically.

I have had many proofs of the healing efficacy of Christian Science, having been healed of rheumatism, influenza, food poisoning, and many other discordant conditions. The smoking habit was completely and permanently overcome in a most natural way, and the desire for alcohol was destroyed almost instantaneously. My gratitude, however, is not only for these and many other healings which I have received, but also for the true knowledge of God and man which Christian Science reveals.

Ann Arbor, Michigan (First Church).

Lecturer: Professor Hermann S. Hering; introduced by Mrs. Mabel M. White, who said:—

Many are seeking to realize a closer relationship with the supreme and infinite intelligence, God. Mary Baker Eddy has said (No and Yes, p. 39), "True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection." Making this statement practical in our own lives we might say, True prayer is not asking God for intelligence; it is learning to be intelligent, and to be wise under every circumstance. True prayer is not asking God for honesty; it is learning to be honest, and to use honesty at all times. This mode of thinking does not make one prayerless. Quite the contrary, one must commune more often and more steadfastly with the Mind that knows all things, until he has proved to be his own those qualities which Christ Jesus presented so naturally. A verse from a hymn expresses this constant relationship: