Christian Science Committees on Publication Report GROWING RECEPTIVITY TO TRUTH
Lancashire, England
Two addresses to nonmembers have been given, one to a men's discussion group in a Church of England in Southport, and the other to a group connected with the Church of England in Liverpool. These addresses were listened to with rapt attention, and at the close of one, the vicar remarked that "Christian Scientists have something which the Church of England has not, and that is Christian healing, and attention should be given to this aspect of Christianity."
Missouri
Two ministers advertised that they would deliver sermons on Christian Science. Friendly interviews were had with both ministers beforehand. The first minister, at his request, was supplied with a copy of "Retrospection and Introspection" by Mary Baker Eddy, in addition to Dr. Lyman P. Powell's biography of Mrs. Eddy. The Christian Science Journal and Sentinel were also given to this minister, and during his sermon, which for the most part was very friendly, he read several testimonies of healing from them.
The second minister was also very friendly. He asked this Committee to sit on the platform with him during his sermon and lead the responsive reading as a gesture of love and harmony between churches. While we were discussing this, when he learned that Committees on Publication occasionally addressed groups of non–Scientists, he invited the Committee to deliver the sermon. With the approval of Mr. Kilpatrick's office in Boston and The Christian Science Board of Directors, an address was given at a regular Sunday morning service of this church. For his prayer of the day the minister read "Mother's Evening Prayer" by Mrs. Eddy, giving her due credit. Meanwhile the organ softly played Hymn No. 207 in the Christian Science Hymnal. Later the soloist sang Hymn No. 412 from our Hymnal.
In his introduction the minister explained that he had found so much good in the Christian Science textbook that he had decided to bring some of that good to the members of his congregation at least once each year. He stated from his pulpit that it would be a good thing if members of his church would sometimes read "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. After the address, at the invitation of the minister, members of the congretion came forward to greet this Committee, and there were many expressions of kindness toward our religion and appreciation for a better understanding of it.
New York
One of the happiest and most constructive opportunities we enjoy is that of accepting, subject to approval by the Manager of Committees on Publication in Boston, invitations to address groups of non–Scientists on the general subject of Christian Science. During the past twelve months we have responded to nineteen invitations. Interesting side lights in connection with some of them follow:
One of our Christian Science chaplains addressed a large military academy in the state at its request, and the message of Christianity was so well received that some of the boys asked the commanding officer if they could not have services of that kind every Sunday. The same school asked us a few months later for another speaker, and a second Christian Science chaplain talked to the group with interest and success.
A group of high school pupils, after hearing one of our speakers, attended the Wednesday evening meeting at a Christian Science church the following week.
One of our Christian Science lectures in an upstate community was given in the auditorium of a church of another denomination. It appears that both the minister of the church and some of the young people's war veteran group attended the lecture. After it was over, the young people asked their minister if they could not have someone come and talk further to their group about Christian Science. The minister graciously consented, and a speaker appeared before them a few weeks later. We have proof of many healing results from such talks.
Devonshire, England
In response to an invitation received from the Plymouth branch of the Church Lads' Brigade, an address on Christian Science was given during a Sunday evening service. The majority present were youths from twelve to seventeen years of age. The address was listened to with much interest. After the service a lady who had been an invalid for five years wished to know whether Christian Science could heal her. She was assured that it could, and it was recommended that she read the Christian Science textbook. We later learned that she had borrowed the textbook from the Reading Room and had later bought her own copy; also that a friend in need of healing was so impressed by the change in her that she also borrowed the textbook.
