At Needham, Mass.

The lecture on Christian Science given in Needham Town Hall Tuesday evening (November 20) was one of the signs of the times, showing that everywhere people are waking up to the necessity for religious tolerance if the time is ever coming when there will be "one fold and one shepherd."

There were between five and six hundred present. Special cars came from several directions. Every denomination in town was represented and all listened respectfully to the speaker as he, in a clear, concise, scholarly manner, explained something of the teachings of Christian Science, never once expressing an unkind thought for any other denomination or body of people.

Town Clerk Thomas Sutton, who we all know is one of the honored deacons of the First Baptist Church in town, introduced the lecturer as follows:—

Ladies and Gentlemen:—We have been invited to meet this evening to hear a new religious sect in our town, Christian Scientists, present their views of faith and practice and correct wrong impressions that have gone abroad.

The town of Needham is getting to be a decidedly religious community of late. Fifty years ago the territory now comprising this town had but one church, "The First Parish" commonly known as the Unitarian, but all the inhabitants did not worship with them and some were strenuously opposed to the doctrines they taught. So that in 1850 the First Baptist Church was founded, hoping to meet the need of all so-called Evangelical Christians. Hardly their house of worship been built when about half of their congregation left to establish what is known as the Evangelical Congregational Church. A few years later the Methodist Church was formed in order to teach Gospe! truth as they understood it, and even then many people went out of town in order to worship God as they had been taught; in due time, however, a Roman Catholic Church was located in our midst. Truly one would think that we had quite enough different denominations, but within a few months a Chapel has been dedicated for the use of the Episcopalians, who could not find a comfortable church home in any of the different societies.

All these churches so far as I can observe are in a prosperous condition, with well-appointed arrangements, faithful ministers, and zealous followers, but even now they do not reach all the people and a new church seeks admission within our borders.

Other churches may well question whether they are doing their full duty if in our town of only four thousand inhabitants another church can find material for a permanent organization.

Here we have six bodies of Christians, whose religion is founded on the Bible, whose adherents profess to love and worship God and obey the teachings of Jesus Christ, and there is a demand for another, and I understand that their text-book is the same Bible and they also worship God and profess to obey the teaching of Jesus Christ.

Years ago men would think they were doing God's service by persecuting this new interest and driving their disciples out of town. I, myself, belong to a denomination whose great leader was banished from the state because he dared to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience, and whose church doors were nailed up by order of the authroities and their leading members publicly flogged in the streets of Boston and afterward thrown into prison, because they ventured to preach and to teach gospel truths as they believed them.

Happily we have outgrown those times and are willing to accord to you that for which we so earnestly fought—"freedom to worship God."

I am not here to-night as an advocate for another church. I am not a believer in Christian Science, I hardly know what it teaches; but I do know that its adherents are diligent Bible students, and many live exemplary Christian lives; and I believe that all persons or sects who hold an honest opinion and have the conviction that God has a work for them to do in the world, have a right to be heard, and I am willing to give them a respectful hearing. I do not care to receive my impressions of a new religion from adverse critics, but rather first hand, therefore it is a pleasure to introduce the speaker of the evening, the Rev. Irving C. Tomlinson, C.S.B., member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass.—Needham Recorder.

At Guthrie, Okla.

Judge William G. Ewing, a leading member of the Chicago bar, delivered an able and explicit lecture on Christian Science at the Opera House in this city yesterday afternoon (Monday, November 26) to a large and attentive audience. He is an eloquent speaker and handles this topic in the manner and with the decision of a jurist of long standing. He was United States attorney for the Northern Hlinois district under President Cleveland, and made for himself an enviable record, on account of his high attainments in his profession.

Attorney C.G. Hornor presided, and in brief manner introduced the speaker as follows:—

Ladies and Gentlemen:—We have assembled here to-day for the purpose of listening to an address upon a subject that has enlisted the interest of many of the best and most intelligent people of the country.

A story is told of a Saxon chief who sat feasting and revelling with his retainers one tempestuous night, in the great hall of his castle. In the midst of the uproar of the elements, a bird came fluttering in out of the darkness, and after flying about bewildered for a few moments, it darted out into the darkness of night again. "My friends" said the chief, stilling the noise of the revellers, "the bird that just now fluttered into our midst may be likened to the life of man. It came from out the darkness, we know not whence, and having hovered in our sight for a moment went forth again in the darkness, we know not whither. Such is the life of man."

This is the common philosophic view, and when I say there has been no solution of the mystery of life and death, you will understand there has been no philosophic solution. But philosophy is not all, and some questions admit only of a spiritual answer.

The world is constantly advancing, and there can be no greater mistake than to suppose that we in our day have exhausted the possibilities of the intellect, in fact all experience proves that we have not. It is the duty of every intelligent person to keep an open mind and watch for inspiration from whatever source it may come.

Life for us ought to be a broad and shining path leading ever onward and upward, and it would be if it were not for the obstructions we place in the way. Divinity is all about us and if we would only open our minds it would pour in and flood our being. We are a stiff-necked generation, rebellious and stopping our ears like the adder of Scripture. Like bats and owls, we dwell in twilight, dreading the open light of day.

Truth is the greatest thing in the world, and the man of prejudice is a moral coward. Emerson said. "We must advance forever on chaos and the dark." Life is a striving, and the noblest effort is to struggle upward. To aspire is to rise. To try all things by experience, and to hold fast to what is good is the best philosophy to-day as it was in Paul's time.

My remarks are of course general, and indicate an attitude rather than a doctrine. I am only a novice at the outer gate of the temple, speaking without authority. The thought I wish to leave with you is this: keep an open mind, and fear not. The temples of the Greeks were open at the top so as to admit light from above.

Without detaining you longer. I have the pleasure of introducing Judge William G. Ewing of Chicago, who will address you on the subject of Christian Science.

Oklahoma State Capital.

At Topeka, Kan.

Over one thousand persons listened to an address on Christian Science in the Crawford Opera House, Sunday afternoon (November 18). Judge Ewing, who spoke, has long been an able jurist, for some time occupying the bench in the Superior Court of Chicago. For some time Judge Ewing has been a member of the Board of Lectureship of The First Church of Christ. Scientist, of Boston, the object of which is to promulgate the principles of the Science throughout the country. He was brought to this city through the offices of the local Christian Science Church.

Judge Ewing was introduced by Dell Keizer, who spoke as follows:—

The influence which has done more to strengthen and promote the true cause of Christianity than all other forces combined is the religious toleration which has come to us with the nineteenth century. The power of the church for good has grown just in proportion as doctrines have broadened and creeds have ceased their tyranny. And so to-day the only vital and essential tests of true Christian life are an understanding and application of the teachings of Jesus Christ and a desire to comprehend and accept that sublime character whose light and love have pierced the darkness and superstition of centuries.

Christian Science, as I understand it, is not in conflict with any religion founded upon that principle, but seeks rather to win from all humanity an acceptance of the divine love which Christ taught was ample for the material as well as the spiritual well-being of mankind. From my own observation and investigation of its practice, I am strongly convinced that Christian Science is bringing health, happiness, and hope to thousands of lives and homes, where only sickness, sorrow, and despair were known before.

For that reason it gives me the utmost pleasure to bespeak for the distinguished gentleman who will address us this afternoon the same consideration which he accords to those who believe differently from himself, and to which his wide learning and lofty purpose entitle him. So wise and winning an advocate as Judge Ewing would justly bring great prestige to any cause which he espoused, but to his chosen work to-day he comes under circumstances which add peculiar and extraordinary force to his position. Educated in a profession which has commanded the greatest intellects of all time, a profession which more than any other trains men to discriminate between the just and the unjust, the right and the wrong, the false and the true, he has turned from a long and successful career at bench and bar to devote himself to the cause of Christian Science. He brings to his cause a ripe scholarship and a firm conviction of its truth born of his own experience. I congratulate you upon the opportunity of learning from so eminent an authority, and take great pleasure in presenting to you the Honorable William G. Ewing of Chicago.

Topeka Daily Capital.

At Fredonia, N.Y.

A representative and most attentive audience gathered at the Opera House on Monday evening, November 19, to hear Carol Norton, C.S.D., lecture on Christian Science. The lecture was given under the auspices of the Christian Science Society of the city, and the event begins the public recognition of our Cause here.

Mr. Norton's exposition of Christian Science received marked attention throughout. In this city is located one of the state normal colleges, and thus the lecture was considered of vital educational value.

Professor Myron F. Dana of the Normal College introduced Mr. Norton in the following words:—

Probably this audience could be roughly divided into two classes; one containing those who have come together to have their faith renewed or their convictions deepened and strengthened in a new doctrine, or perhaps old teachings under somewhat new forms; in the other class may be placed those who are here to learn of that which has enlisted the interest and enthusiasm of many intelligent and honest people, also those who are seeking to learn of the doctrine for its own sake—seekers for Truth. Each of these objects may be a sufficient and legitimate reason for being here.

The student of these phases of our social life cannot ignore that which influences so large a number of people. All should be seekers for Truth—not that the Truth needs us, but because we need it. Some seem to think that unless they rise early and strive till late at night in the support of Truth, she will be crushed to earth, never to rise again; but this notion, in my opinion, is wrong. Truth will rise and assert herself, though a host of errors be encamped against her. Individually, if we have Truth with us, we need not fear the power of any adversary. If ours is error, we may be assured that we cannot build a wall so high or so strong as to keep out Truth. Our attitude of Mind, here, as on similar occasions, should be that expressed in the universal prayer:—

But you did not come here to hear me talk, and I will simply bespeak for the lecturer of the evening that thoughtful, unbiased, unprejudiced frame of mind, which is so essential to the world's progress, intellectually, ethically, and religiously.

I now introduce to you Mr. Norton of New York City, whose utterances, I am assured, may be taken as those of a man who can speak with authority on the subject of Christian Science.—Correspondence.

At Bloomington, III.

On Friday evening, November 16, Mrs. Annie M. Knott of Detroit, delivered a lecture on Christian Science in the Coliseum in this city. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, an appreciative audience was in attendance. The lecturer was introduced by Judge Alfred Sample of Bloomington.

The Daily Pantagraph of this city published a good synopsis of the lecture.

The introductory address of Judge Sample was as follows:—

Ladies and Gentlemen:—When requested by a committee from the Christian Scientists of this city to introduce the lecturer this evening. I thought a mistake had been made in assuming that I was a Scientist, and so informed the gentlemen who waited on me. But on learning that often some one who was not a Scientist was asked to perform that office, I cheerfully consented.

It has been my privilege to listen to two lectures on the subject of Christian Science. One in this city by Judge Ewing, and the other in Los Angeles, Cal., last winter, when the great Auditorium in that city was filled to overflowing by as fine and as intelligent-looking an audience as I ever saw.

The rapid growth of Christian Scientists in this country, and that, too, largely from among the intelligent, orderly, and sober-minded citizenship of our land, who, in their every-day life gently and quietly, but firmly and persistently, manifest the most profound belief in the efficacy of their religious faith to bring peace, contentment, happiness, and health here, as well as hereafter, to a sin-sick world, has naturally awakened a deep and abiding interest in the public mind.

Let me, therefore, proceed at once to gratify that interest by introducing the lecturer, Mrs. Annie M. Knott, who will address you on the subject of Christian Science.

Correspondence.

At Rock Valley, Ia.

The lecture delivered Tuesday evening (November 13) by Judge Clarkson of Omaha, on Christian Science, was well received by a large and appreciative audience. The judge established the belief in the minds of those who were privileged to hear him that he is a Bible student without a peer. His style of delivery was most pleasing, and standing, as he does at all times, securely upon the teachings of the Bible, his lecture was of a high and scholarly order and worthy the ear of any audience throughout the Christian world. The speaker was preceded by O. G. Reiniger, who in a few appropriate words introduced the lecturer.—Rock Valley Gazette.

Mr. Reiniger's introductory remarks were as follows:—

Ladies and Gentlemen:—Ever since man could reason, he has been in search of Truth, and as long as man exists he will continue to search for the very truth of every subject which presents itself to him. There is no religion but what is entitled to an honest hearing and a full investigation from us. I don't know that I fully understand the meaning of the term Christian Science as used by Christian Scientists but if it means so to broaden, cultivate, and strengthen the mind as to give it control over material things, then I approve it, or if it makes men stronger and better rather than weaker, I endorse it. We have with us this evening one who can tell us of Christian Science and what it does, and who is here under the auspices of First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Rock Valley. I have the pleasure of introducing to you Judge Clarkson of omaha.—Correspondence.

At Saginaw, Mich.

On Friday, November 9, 1900, a fine, appreciative audience assembled at Masonic Temple to listen to a scholarly lecture on Christian Science, or "The Cause and Scientific Cure of Disease," by Edward A. Kimball of Chicago.

The lecturer was introduced by Mr. John W. Symons, a business man of Saginaw, who is a member of the Christian Science Church here. He said:—

Ladies and Gentlemen:—The subject which will be presented to us to-night will be comparatively new to many of us. I am reminded of the saying of a Western lawyer when introducing a Christian Science lecturer. He said that many years ago he decided that he did not know everything, that in order to increase his store of knowledge he should keep his ears open, his mind alert, and, to people who came with good credentials, to extend mental hospitality. Now, I ask that we extend to the speaker tonight, who comes with the best of credentials, whose life has been so enriched and made valuable to the world by the knowledge that he will give us to-night, alert, mental hospitality.

I have the pleasure of introducing Mr. Edward A. Kimball, whose subject will be the "Cause and Scientific Cure of Disease."

The audience seemed eager to receive every word. This, our third lecture was a great help to all who heard it, and a special incentive to students, and that each had received manifold blessings was evident at our Wednesday evening meeting which followed.—Correspondence.

At Belleville, Kan.

Edward A. Kimball of Chicago, III., delivered a lecture on Christian Science in the Opera House, Sunday afternoon, November 18, to a most attentive and interested audience of several hundred.

Mr. Kimball was briefly introduced by John A. Beecher, First Reader of the local church, and spoke for an hour and a half. He gave as clear an explanation of the doctrine of Christian Science as was possible in so short a time.

Visitors from neighboring cities and the surrounding country were present, some driving twenty and even thirty miles to hear Mr. Kimball's exposition of Christian Science.

This was the first lecture given in this city since the Board of Lectureship was established, and the Scientists here feel that great good will result.—Correspondence.

At Fort Dodge, Ia.

There was a large and intellectual audience out Saturday evening (November 10) to hear Judge Joseph R. Clarkson, C.S.B., of Omaha, Neb.

He was introduced by Hon. S. T. Meservey, who said that the lecturer would address them on a subject that the entire world was deeply interested in.

Judge Clarkson is a pleasing speaker. He immediately gets into his lecture and wastes but little if any time in trimming around the edges, but gives the audience meat from the beginning to the close.

Fort Dodge Daily Chronicle.

Lectures at Other Places.

Webster City, Iowa.—Joseph R. Clarkson, November 11.