BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND.

At the lecture on Christian Science, delivered Oct. 30, at the Grand Theater, the lecturer, Bicknell Young, was introduced as follows by the Rev. R. Woolfenden, of Rochdale:—

Christian Science was first brought to my notice nearly nine years ago, by a member of my church, who came to tell me of the wonderful healing of her niece, in Manchester. This girl was a clerk in the office of the Manchester Guardian, where, one day, she fell and seriously injured her spine. The best medical skill was provided, and everything was done to heal her, but she was pronounced incurable, and told she would be a cripple for life. With her parents' consent she had Christian Science treatment, and within six weeks was completely healed and able to return to work, this time taking a situation in the office of Messrs. Baxendale & Co., the ironmongers, where she was well known. Today she is a married woman, happy, healthy, and strong, and doing good work, in Manchester, as a Christian Science practitioner. The news of this case set me thinking hard. It came as a shock to my faith, and led to a rude awakening. On making further inquiries, I found that the father, mother, and aunt of this young person had each received benefit through Christian Science treatment, and were studying the new doctrine in the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. I borrowed the book and read it deeply. As a result I was soon convinced that all my work, as a minister, was like "preaching without practice," which, according to Mrs. Eddy, is "the error of the ages" (Science and Health, p. 241).

I read in this book that "the theology of Christian Science includes healing the sick" (Ibid., p. 145). It was this that drew me to it, for I was sick, and in need of healing, having returned from missionary work in China broken in health and utterly broken in spirit, through a deep bereavement that followed. Christian Science came to me in the darkest hour of my life,—came to prove the truth of Longfellow's saying, that "like the kingdom of heaven, the fountain of youth is within us." The reading of this book had another effect on me. It started a question from which I could not get away, namely, Why can we not do this healing work in our own churches? It took me seven years to answer that question,—seven years, when it might have been answered in seven minutes had one been willing to humble oneself, willing to trust oneself to the conquering love of God, for, as Wordsworth truly puts it, "wisdom is often nearer to us when we stoop than when we soar." Today I know that Christian Science is the wisdom of God, and the love of God, breaking through our doubts and fears; the love of the omnipotent, all-knowing, ever-present God, who "forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."

In those days I belonged to the most democratic church in England, a church which most freely recognized the fullest liberty of individual judgment, and yet there was no room in it for this healing gospel, this practice of divine, metaphysical healing to which Mrs. Eddy has given the name of Christian Science. I found, to my sorrow, that it could not be practised there with any encouragement or satisfaction. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to come out, and join hands with those who were brave enough and bold enough to take God at His word. I came out with one resolution, to take up the hardest work a man can ever find, and that is to become a missionary to his own people. For this reason I returned to Rochdale, my native town, where Christian Science had already taken deep root. It was worth all the toil and all the sacrifice involved, for in taking this step I discovered the secret of the ever-victorious life, the liberty of the sons of God. In this liberty I rejoice today, and especially in the opportunity, such as this occasion affords, of bringing it to others.

The healing power of Christian Science is now a matter of conviction with me, of demonstration, and proof in my own experience, an experience shared by my wife and children, as well as by an ever-increasing number of friends, whose testimony is cumulative evidence of the fact that harmony and happiness are to be secured in this way. This conviction is ever deepening in me, that Christian Science is of God, and that its basis is laid in the Bible. In this connection a pleasing incident occurred the other night. Standing at the counter of the Christian Science reading-room in Rochdale, I overheard the conversation of two Lancashire lads, looking at the books through the window. "Dun they believe i' th' Bible?" asked one of the other. "Ah, they dun that," replied his friend. That conviction is growing among ministers, doctors, journalists, members of the theatrical profession, and others. Many are only waiting for the church to give them a lead. But they will find, as we found, that the only church which is ready to give them this lead is the Church of Christ, Scientist, the church of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

Today I am not ashamed to call myself a follower of that noble woman, Her teaching is the master key, the key that unlocks the spiritual understanding in every inquiring case. She calls us to follow her only as she follows Christ. We must therefore come out, in response to the call of Christ, and do this work for ourselves. In taking this step we wish it to be clearly known that we do not turn our back upon the faith of our fathers. We have not renounced our early faith. We love it all the more now that we know how to do so much more with it. instead of changing our faith, we only "enlarge its borders and strengthen its base by resting upon Spirit instead of matter" (Ibid., p. 430). By giving up its belief in materiality, our faith has advanced all the more rapidly in the direction of spirituality,—toward the full knowledge of God, who alone is Life, Truth, and Love. In Christian Science we have found the religion of health, harmony, happiness, and heaven, and gladly, therefore, do we commend it to all.

Correspondence.

ROXBURY, MASS.

On the evenings of Oct. 31 and Nov. I, Willis F. Gross delivered two lectures on Christian Science. On the first evening, in Whiton Hall, Dorchester, he was introduced by George S. Haddock, First Reader of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Roxbury, who said in part,—

Jesus, the lowly Nazarene, proved by his wonderful works the availability of God as a very present help—available at all times and under all circumstances, even to the overcoming of death itself. He brought out in its completeness the marvelous unity of man with God, and the power flowing from that unity. He said, "The Son can do nothing of himself, ... for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." He also said, "He that believed on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." In departing, Jesus promised that a Comforter or helper should come, and because Christian Science has revealed God to thousands in the healing of sickness and sin, so raised men spiritually as to enable them in a degree to do the works of the Master, brought peace and joy in place of discord and sorrow, harmony and freedom where once was stress and storm, we believe it to be the promised Comforter. Through this Comforter, this living truth, we know we have found our God, that we have come "even to his seat."

At Fauntleroy Hall, Roxbury, the second evening he was introduced by William R. Knox, who said in part,—

It is a common remark that Christian Scientists are a happy people; and why not? You would naturally expect one to be happy who had found a practical and available means of salvation from the discordant conditions of this human experience. The Christian Scientists have found what "scientific" means, and they are beginning to realize some of the fruits thereof in restored health and peace of mind—consequently their happiness. To tell a man to cheer up and be happy is one way; but to give him reason for being happy is the better way. So you have been asked to come here this evening and listen to a lecture on "Christian Science: The Gospel of Salvation."

Dorchester Beacon.

LAWRENCE, MASS.

The Rev. Arthur R. Vosburgh of Rochester, N. Y., delivered a lecture on Christian Science at the Opera House yesterday afternoon [Nov. 6]. The Rev. Clarence Guy Robbins introduced the speaker in the following words,—

As pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Universalist, I have been invited to introduce the speaker. I am very glad to do this as an expression of Christian courtesy and that good will which ought always to exist between those of differing religious faiths if all are working together to see God's kingdom on the earth and to bring in a larger measure of Christ's faith, hope, and love, to the end that human minds and souls and bodies may be made whole.

There should be the closest sympathy and cooperation between those of differing faiths. No one church has a monopoly of truth, and I fancy that not all of the churches together possess all the truth, for truth is infinitely large and inclusive. As the sunlight streaming through the cathedral windows falls in differing colors upon the tiles beneath and we know that there are not many lights but one light, so the great truth of Christ shines through the world, bearing differing guises, because of the differing mediums through which it shines. We are to hear of the truth of Christ as interpreted by Christian Science.—Lawrence Telegram.