THE LECTURES

with contributions from George E. Anderson, Charles L. Gifford

HONG KONG, CHINA.

George E. Anderson, American consul, presided last evening [July 20] at the lecture on Christian Science given by William D. McCrackan, M.A., at the Theater Royal. There was a capital attendance, and close attention was paid to the interesting lecture. Mr. Anderson in introducing the lecturer said:—

It may be superfluous to make any announcement of it, but I think I should say that I am not a Christian Scientist; I really know little of the real tenets or teachings of the Christian Science church. However, I recognize in it, as I think all reasonable men do, a distinctly uplifting factor in modern religious discussion. There are several hard facts about the Christian Science movement which challenge attention. It is a movement which commenced something like two score years ago in the work and writings of a single woman. It is a movement which, unique among religious movements, has appealed to the intellectual classes rather than the mass of the people. It has profoundly affected all other militant religious organizations and has compelled some of them to undertake work hitherto foreign to religious effort.

Now, whether we accept the teachings or not, I think that all reasonable men must recognize its accomplishment in having built up a world-wide organization upon the basis of teaching an increased capacity of the human soul and faith in God. The center of this great organization which has been built up in the past thirty years is The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts,—The Mother Church, as it is more generally known. Attached to this home church there is a board of lecturers composed of men of the Christian Science faith who have accomplished something beyond the ordinary in life, who have done something beyond the usual in law, literature, or some other branch of intellectual endeavor. Among the members of this board is one who has distinguished himself as a writer, traveler, and lecturer, and whom I now take pleasure in introducing to you.—South China Mail.

COTUIT, MASS.

Judge Clifford P. Smith lectured on Christian Science in Freedom Hall, Aug. 14. Charles L. Gifford, a prominent citizen, in introducing him said:—

I was pleased to accept the invitation extended to me by the committee in charge of this meeting, to introduce the lecturer of the evening. I have at all times had a great interest and respect for the movement, and now as so many of our friends and acquaintances have embraced this faith—friends and acquaintances of whom we can have but the highest regard for their intelligence and ability—we can but become vitally interested in a matter that is of such deep concern to them and through them to us all. We note a rapid disappearance on all sides of skepticism and criticism and the predominance of a spirit of recognition and commendation. I am told that thirty-two years ago but one church with a membership of twenty-six existed, while today there are twelve hundred churches with an unnumbered membership. Such an astounding growth, and among the best people in the land! They are a people who calmly, quietly, and with a most simple order of service, assert their belief without belittling or in argumentation against other forms of religious faith. They are a people who practise to a remarkable degree what they preach.

We cannot perhaps subscribe to all that our friends the Scientists believe, neither can we subscribe to or live the various creeds of our own denominations. However, a people who live such joyous, happy lives, who make annoyances and disappointments things unrecognizable,—these are a people we cannot help but admire and give consideration to a faith that makes them such. This is a day of the practical not the theoretical. Our churches all over the land realize that sermons and mission work are not sufficient, but that their doors must be open to assist in problems of industrial work, educational, and even to provide suitable amusements. The Scientists have indeed made their religion a practical one. They have made it a magnificent social institution and have even made of it a science, proving its use and application as exact and certain. We may not accept all the lecturer may say, but if we are not religiously blinded in our own denomination we can get some satisfactory explanation, and we can welcome the words of a man who can speak to us out of a deep experience. In consideration of the high regard and esteem we hold for our neighbor Scientist, I bespeak for him your earnest attention, and trust that all of us may get something that will be helpful.

Correspondence.

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