The Lectures

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Second Church).
Lecturer: Peter V. Ross; introduced by Mrs. Florence Moore, who said:—

The Bible contains many promises. In his incomparable Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled;" and in Psalms we read, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." A study of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, shows us how these promises are fulfilled.

A number of years ago my own immediate family of four needed healing of many ailments. My husband had periodic attacks of illness which kept him in bed several days at a time. Our wee daughter had frequent severe chest colds. We were told by a doctor and a nurse that we could never rear our young son without two specific operations. I myself was preparing for an operation when my sister asked me to try Christian Science first.

We took up the study earnestly, and it is more than fifteen years since my husband has had a day off from business on account of illness. Our daughter was healed of her last chest cold over ten years ago. Our son, now grown to manhood, recently passed a medical examination one hundred per cent, and I have never had the operation which the doctor said was so necessary. These healings and many others were accomplished solely through the application of Christian Science.

Boothbay Harbor, Maine (auspices of First Church, Bath).
Lecturer: Dr. Hendrik J. de Lange; introduced by Miss Clara Hays, who said:—

The beloved Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 506 ), "Understanding is a quality of God, a quality which separates Christian Science from supposition and makes Truth final." The understanding which is a quality of God is a quality also of man, His image and likeness, to whom, as in the parable, the Father says, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."

The importance of understanding man's well-being cannot be overestimated. We know that in any of the natural sciences, as soon as a man understands the rules involved in the solution of a problem, he is able to solve that problem. So it is in the Science of Life. Christ Jesus possessed the spiritual understanding of God which enabled him to solve every problem presented to him, whether of sin, sickness, lack, or death. He told his followers that they could, and must, do the same. He said, "The kingdom of God is within you."

A Christian Science lecture is therefore very precious, for it reveals to us that spiritual understanding which enables us to follow in the footsteps of our Master, to heal "all manner of sickness," and to prove that the kingdom of health, happiness, harmony, holiness, is within us.

Great Neck, New York (First Church).
Lecturer: Frank Bell; introduced by Franklin Edward Tyrrell, who said:—

A Christian Science lecture is a simple, clear, understandable explanation of the power of Christian Science to heal and to save. Referring to Christian Science, our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 558 ), "When you look it fairly in the face, you can heal by its means, and it has for you a light above the sun, for God 'is the light thereof.' "

We may say then that a Christian Science lecture enables us to see this light, this spiritual illumination, by means of which we are able to heal and be healed. To see the sunlight, we have only to be where the sun is shining and to open our eyes. To receive the spiritual illumination which a Christian Science lecture brings is no more difficult. We need only hear the lecture and be receptive to the truth expressed.

Each one of us can be healed, if he has need of healing, and so uplifted and inspired by this lecture that, in the words of David, "the sweet psalmist of Israel," "He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain."

Salem, Oregon (First Church).
Lecturer: Gavin W. Allan; introduced by Asa Roy Thompson, who said:—

On page 228 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy states: "The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses."

Twenty-eight years ago I witnessed the restoration to health and happiness of a man who had been one of the leading business men in the city where I was residing at that time, but due to the drink habit, had long since ceased to give any attention to his business, his family, or his friends. When I first saw him he was tottering on the brink of ruin. He would come almost daily into the hotel where I was employed and make of himself a general nuisance. One day, however, he dropped out of sight. About three weeks later a new man walked into the hotel. This man was cleanshaven, his clothes clean and neatly pressed, his shoes were shined, his head erect, his eyes clear and bright, and on his face was the radiance of joy and confidence. It did not seem possible that this could be the same man. He had been healed in Christian Science.

A few evenings later this individual, carrying a book in his hand, approached the hotel desk during the time I was on duty and asked if he could leave the book until he returned. I noticed that it was Science and Health, so when he returned I said to him in a very flippant manner, "Well, how is Christian Science?" With such positive assertion that his sincerity could not be doubted he looked me straight in the eye and said, "Young man. Christian Science is the greatest thing in the world."

After thinking the matter over I came to the conclusion that if Christian Science could make a new man out of that fellow, it could make a new person out of anyone. I obtained a copy of Science and Health and began to read it. Then and there began the beautiful unfoldment of Truth which convinced me also that Christian Science is the greatest thing in the world.