Article August 16, 1947 Issue

THE SUBSTANCE OF A LECTURE

H. RUDOLPH POTT

Christian Science lectures are designed to correct, instruct, heal, and bless men by revealing to them something of the governing divine Principle, God. These lectures are therefore not presentations of personal theories, nor ethical or philosophical expositions. They are based on the Scriptures, especially the works and teaching of the great Way-shower, Christ Jesus, and his disciples, and on the truth about God and His creation as revealed to Mary Baker Eddy. The divine law contained in the Bible is their authority, an authority derived and inseparable from divine Principle. As the loving provision by divine Mind for bringing the truths of being to men is understood and acknowledged, the giving of a Christian Science lecture becomes a positive, joyful, and fruitful occasion.

Principle, not person, underlies the lecture work, and the purpose of this work far transcends its material setting or human arrangements. Since its beginning, a great many lecturers and branch church lecture committees have contributed their individual talents and endeavors, representing varying states and stages of spiritual growth, to the presenting of Christian Science lectures. Despite this diversity of personnel, however, the lectures have continued to fulfill the purpose for which they were established, and they will continue to do so until the need is no more. This fact indicates something of their divine origin, for Principle alone is unchanging and undying.

The permanence and stability of the Word of Truth were fully appreciated by the Master, for he confidently asserted (Mark 13:31), "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Referring to this sublime conviction of Jesus, Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 163), "In no one thing seemed he less human and more divine than in his unfaltering faith in the immortality of Truth." Upon another occasion Jesus asserted (John 14:24, 26): "The word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me... But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." This is clear evidence of his recognition of the spiritual and impersonal substance of his teaching. The Comforter is described by Mrs. Eddy as divine Science, the revelation of the practical Christ, or Truth, which is proclaimed in the spoken word of every Christian Science lecture.

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