The Lectures

Introductions to Lectures

with contributions from D. Mathilde, Jacob Gottlieb, Dale Dudley Coyle, Howard Judson Parker

The Hague, Netherlands (First Church).

Lecturer: Francis Lyster Jandron; introduced by Mrs. D. Mathilde Steensma, who said:—

In one of his letters to the Corinthians Paul stated, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Before I heard about Christian Science I was always searching for "the unknown God"; but I am very thankful I can say that Mary Baker Eddy, in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," has declared Him.

The very first sentence of this book (Pref., p. vii) reads, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings," and I feel we owe Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, our endless gratitude. I rejoice in telling you that over and over again we have been blessed by the truth of these words.

By radical reliance on this sustaining infinite I learned that God is not a mysterious being, somewhere far off, but is the only real power, the only real strength and intelligence, the ever-present help in all needs.

In sickness Christian Science has taught us that Life is God, perfect, unchangeable, spiritual; in sorrow that the kingdom of God is within us; in times of need that God is the source of supply and of all good. And leaning on this sustaining knowledge of the truth, we have proved numerous times that we are not sick, sorrowful, poor children of men, but that we are the blessed children of God.

Charlotte, North Carolina (First Church).

Lecturer: Mrs. Louise Knight Wheatley Cook; introduced by Jacob Gottlieb, who said:—

The country at large seems willing to concede that we have definitely turned the corner in the cycle of business, and that we are entering a new era of prosperity. And as we look around it is well to observe in this connection that nothing of any great material moment has happened. Rather has something within us been awakened which has again inspired us with confidence. The fears and depressed thoughts which kept us in the land of "depression" have been dispelled, and we are again free and confident.

Surely the graphs and charts of the statistician reviewing business during the past decade, showing the peaks and valleys of our attainments, should in no wise frighten us. Rather should they cause us to look in the opposite direction and find that invariable spiritual law of God which provides only for harmony and prosperity.

We are told in the Bible that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." In Christian Science we have learned that these gifts include health, harmony, life, prosperity.

Joliet, Illinois (First Church).

Lecturer: Dr. Hendrik J. de Lange; introduced by Dale Dudley Coyle, who said:—

Christian Scientists are generally acknowledged to be a joyous and grateful people. It should not be hard to understand why this label is appropriate. Considered collectively, they have been lifted out of all kinds of disease and disorders listed in the catalogue of medical science, including those designated as incurable. Christian Scientists rejoice daily for having found the "pearl of great price." To them, thanksgiving is not limited to a day or a season, but is continuous through all the days of the year.

Throughout my early childhood, physicians declared that I should never be strong and healthy, and that I could never hope to participate in athletics. Happily for me, Christian Science was brought into my parents' home, whereupon that gloomy picture was quickly and completely changed to the manifestation of strength, vigor, and excellent health. That was over thirty years ago, and since then I have played baseball and basketball a number of years without any harmful effect. That all who are weighted down with a sense of bondage may learn something of this "pearl of great price" is one of the main purposes of a Christian Science lecture.

Miami Beach, Florida (First Church).

Lecturer: Peter B. Biggins; introduced by Howard Judson Parker, who said:—

Over twenty years ago I witnessed the permanent and unquestionable healing by Christian Science of a member of my immediate family of an incurable, so called, heart disease. Partly through curiosity, but at the same time nurturing a secret hope that by so doing I might add to my own fund of health and contentment, I read the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Without previous knowledge of this subject, and being further handicapped with the viewpoint of an agnostic, I was instantaneously and permanently healed of the tobacco and liquor habits of long standing, also of a profane tongue. Since that time many irregularities in my life have been adjusted. There is a beautiful poem in the Christian Science Hymnal that portrays to some degree the experience of every student of Christian Science, the first verse of which reads:

"Breaking through the clouds of darkness,
Black with error, doubt, and fear;
Lighting up each somber shadow,
With a radiance soft and clear;
Filling every heart with gladness,
That its holy power feels,
Comes the Christian Science gospel,
Sin it kills and grief it heals."

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