THE LECTURES
LECTURE IN THE MOTHER CHURCH.
The regular semi-annual lecture on Christian Science given by The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, was delivered Thursday evening, April 23, by Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk of St. Louis, Mo., formerly attorney-general for the State of Indiana, and a member of the Board of Lectureship of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, Mass. Shortly after the doors were opened at seven o'clock the immense auditorium of The Mother Church was quickly filled, and the large audience, many of whom were apparently strangers, gave close attention to the lecturer, who spoke interestingly and with great freedom of the teachings of this denomination. He was introduced by the First Reader of The Mother Church, Mr. William D. McCrackan, as follows:—
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends:—Christian Science is coming into its own. It is encircling the earth with its glad tidings borne on the swift pinions of hope. As Christian Science becomes better understood, appreciated, and loved, so the life-motive of its Discoverer and Founder, Mrs. Eddy, is becoming clearer to human apprehension, and gratitude is expressed in quarters where misunderstanding formerly ruled.
Christian Science, like the good man in the ordinary walks of life, pays for itself as it progresses. It should be remembered that Christian Science is not merely something to be believed. It is not a mere creed or confession of faith. It is the Science of Christianity., to be practised and proved. Christian Scientists are called upon to be demonstrators of an exact science which is always good. Is there any one who feels the oppression of the world's great problems? Then Christian Science offers the key to the solution of all those problems by pointing out the necessary transformation in individual consciousness. Is any one disturbed by the inconsistencies of philosophy and theology as commonly taught? Then Christian Science presents a simple, honest, radical, and Biblical explanation of the creator and His creation. Are there those who despair of the cure of bodily ills because they have tried in vain all that material medicine can do for them? To such Christian Science declares that there is no incurable ill, no law of disease which is permanent or fixed, no case hopeless.
Since the discovery of Christian Science in 1866 by Mrs. Eddy, there has been an enormous turning and overturning of preconceived notions, theories, and popular opinions; but through all these years Christian Science has gone steadily, unostentatiously upon its way,—saving the sinner, healing the sick, and comforting the sorrowing, and with a success which proves its nature to be divine. I shall not attempt, however, in this brief introduction to explain the nature of Christian Science. This pleasant task, in so far as it can be accomplished in the short time at our disposal, falls to the lecturer of the evening. I therefore take great pleasure in introducing to you the Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, member of the Board of Lectureship of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass.
MANCHESTER, N. H.
Bicknell Young of Chicago delivered the annual lecture for First Church of Christ, Scientist, before a large audience at the First Universalist church last night [April 24]. He was introduced by Gov. Charles M. Floyd, who said,—
It is my privilege to be here and introduce to you the lecturer of the evening. It is not my purpose to make any extended talk, but I want to say just a few words in regard to what Christian Science has done for New Hampshire, for I believe it has made our State known throughout the world as nothing else has, and it has done much to build up and will maintain the morals of New Hampshire as well as of every other State. Without the influence of the church, or religion, no community would be a fit place to live in. Christian Science has done and is doing a great deal in this direction, and we are better because of its teachings.
I want to say a word in regard to the lives of some of my friends in the Christian Science Church. They have shown that in the Christian Science faith men have something that those of the world have not. The following story will illustrate this: I was talking with a man who conducts a big hotel in the West. He said to me, "You have lost Mrs. Eddy from New Hampshire. You must miss her very much." My reply was, "Yes that is so." Then he said, "They are a fine class of people. I would rather deal with Christian Scientists than any other class of people that come to my hotel. They want the best there is; but if they cannot get it, they will be satisfied with what you can furnish, without faultfinding." And I think you will find that so. My observation is that you live a life of construction, that you build up the good in men but never tear down in a way to injure. This is all that I have to say. It gives me pleasure to introduce to you the lecturer of the evening, Bicknell Young.—The Manchester Union.
TROY, N. Y.
Mrs. Sue Harper Mims spoke on Christian Science at Music Hall last evening [April 2]. The hall was thronged. Mrs. Mims was introduced by E. K. Betts, who said,—
Some eight or ten years ago, in introducing a lecturer on this platform, I said, "Christian Science has come to stay." That statement is substantiated to-day, for Christian Science has a foothold in practically every civilized country in the world. Why? Because it is founded on demonstrable truth. Mrs. Mims, who will address you this evening, needs no further introduction than that contained in your cards of invitation, but I will add just a word. She is one of the little company of earnest men and women who some twenty odd years ago literally took their lives in their hands for conscience sake, giving up society and friends for what in those days was the standard butt for all the joke-makers. Times have changed, although we have not yet quite brought in the millennium. Thounsands of people are happier and healthier for the teachings of Christian Science, and now I want to make another prediction: When, say ten years from now, we meet here again in this place, the majority of you will be numbered with us. I will close by quotting the words of a wiser man: "We do not pretend to be better than our neighbors, but we know we are better every way than we used to be."—The Troy Record.
LECTURES AT OTHER PLACES.
Quincy, III.—Judge William G. Ewing, Oct. 3, 1907.
Franklin, Ind.—Judge William G. Ewing, Oct. 6, 1907.
Sherman, Tex.—Judge William G. Ewing, Nov. 24, 1907.
Detroit, Mich.—Judge William G. Ewing, Dec. 16, 1907.
Savannah, Ga.—Bicknell Young, March 1.
Cocoanut Grove, Fla.—Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, March 8.
Richmond, Va.—Bicknell Young, March 9.
Geneva, N. Y.—Edward A. Kimball, March 15.
Massillon, O.—Bicknell Young, March 16.
Willmar, Minn.—Frank H. Leonard, March 17.
Wheeling, W. Va.—Bicknell Young, March 17.
New York, N. Y. (Second Church).—Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk, March 19 and 20.
