THE LECTURES

with contributions from Æ Baron Mackay, Severin E. Simonsen, Wm. H. Rodder

THE HAGUE, HOLLAND.

Rev. Arthur R. Vosburgh lectured at The Hague Nov. 17. He was introduced by attorney Æ Baron Mackay, who said,—

Dear friends, in the name of the committee which organized this meeting, and at its request, I am glad to welcome you all, and to introduce to you the speaker of to-night. Though not a Christian Scientist myself, I do this with pleasure, because I am aware that I may render my fellowmen a service by so doing. Repeatedly when observing Christian Scientists—and I have had many an opportunity during the past two years—I had to think of that which is told to us in the Acts about the people of Berea, "who searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so," as Paul and Silas said. I believe I do no injustice to many in our believing Christian circles when I presume that they do not search the Scriptures with the same holy, earnest, and quiet fidelity as the Christian Scientists do.

At the beginning of this year we read in a periodical which is being very much read and whose editor is one of our most learned and gifted clergymen, "In our country Christian Science has attracted only little attention until now." This is quite so; it is only during the last year or so that Christian Science has become a topic of conversation, though here in The Hague there has existed a small number of Scientists for three or four years. But though small, I am sorry to say that in the criticisms which the movement has met in believing Christian circles it sometimes was hard to recognize the spirit of Christ, and more still is it to be regretted that those Christian critics were guilty of so much inaccuracy. For example, the author whom I mentioned above, in referring to the text-book, Science and Health, declares, "This is, so to say, the Bible of the Christian Scientists." And I have often observed that even when contradiction followed, this was not accepted. Others seemed to know better than Christian Scientists themselves.

To-night we shall have the advantage of hearing explained to us the doctrine of Christian Science by Mr. Vosburgh. His visit will prove not to have been in vain nor fruitless, and you will agree with me in thanking the committee to whom we owe this meeting.—Correspondence.

NEW HAVEN, CONN.

At the Hyperion Theatre yesterday afternoon [Jan. 20] there was given before a large audience an interesting lecture on "Christian Science: or Deliverance from Evil," by Rev. William P. McKenzie. In his introductory remarks, Rev. Severin E. Simonsen, Reader of Second Church of Christ, Scientist, said in part,—

I took up the study of Christian Science with only one purpose in view, and that was to know if it was the truth or not. I made up my mind that my lips should not be sealed any longer if I found it was the teaching of Christ. After taking class instruction in Christian Science, I found myself face to face with three serious questions. (1) Could I accept the teachings of Mrs. Eddy as the truth? (2) Could I face the ridicule that would naturally be heaped upon one who would step out of the Methodist ministry and join the ranks of the Christian Scientists? (3) Could I trust God to supply myself and family (we were nine in all) the necessaries of life? When I finally came to the point where I could answer the first question in the affirmative and without hesitancy or any reserve. I found it comparatively easy to answer the other two in the same way. At once I resigned from the ministry and membership in the M. E. church and took my stand for Christian Science. It was in the dead of winter; I was without money and in debt besides; but I did it, and God sustained me, and I have never regretted it for one single instant. And now, after years of active work in the Cause of Christian Science, I can truthfully say that its Principle is absolutely unerring. It has been my good fortune personally to meet and talk with Mrs. Eddy, and I have never met any one who to my mind reflected so much of the spirit of Christ as does she. Her humility and unceasing love for the salvation of mankind from sin and all the ills that flesh is heir to, is to me marvelous.—The Palladium.

BROOKINGS, S. DAK.

Tuesday evening, Dec. 18, Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk lectured on Christian Science. He was introduced by Mr. Wm. H. Rodder, ex-Secretary of State, who said in part,—

Of Christian Science I am free to confess I know very little. This to me, however, is in no sense an argument against it, but rather in favor of our endeavoring to become better informed, because many of our friends and neighbors for whom we have the highest regard firmly believe in and endeavor to practise its teachings, and surely a belief or religion which to them is sufficient as a rule of life, is entitled to careful and respectful consideration. Without touching upon the strictly spiritual side of the Science, I have often been impressed by the evidences which have come under my observation of the aid which this Science appears to render to those same friends who are guided by it, and it seems to me that whether we believe in it or not it must be admitted that the world is the gainer by reason of any belief which tends to enable its followers to be hopeful, helpful, and cheerful, in adversity as well as in prosperity, to the development of that which is best in themselves, and to make them an influence for good in the circle in which they move and wherever their influence extends.—Correspondence.

LECTURES AT OTHER PLACES.

Tacoma, Wash.—Rev. Irving C. Tomlinson, Oct. 26.

Atchison, Kan.—Bicknell Young, Dec. 16.

Chicago, Ill. (Sixth Church).—Edward A. Kimball, Dec. 16.

Milford, Utah.—Francis J. Fluno, M.D., Dec. 21.

Waterloo, Ia.—Bicknell Young, Dec. 23.

Rochelle, Ill.—Bicknell Young, Dec. 30.

Gloversille, N. Y.—Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, Jan. 6.

Kalamazoo, Mich.—Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, Jan. 8.

Kansas City, Kan.—Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, Jan. 13.

Junction City, Kan.—Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, Jan. 15.

Michigan City, Ind.—Rev. Arthur R. Vosburgh, Jan. 18.

Providence, R. I. (Second Church).—Bliss Knapp, Jan. 20.

Canyon City, Tex.—Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, Jan. 20.

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February 9, 1907

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