CHICAGO, ILL.

In introducing William D. McCrackan, M.A., who lectured at Fifth Church on the subject of Christian Science, John S. Coonley said:—

Among the many admonitions that come to us from the Bible, none is more important than that which St. Paul gave us in his epistle to the Philippians, when he said, "Work out your own salvation." From that day to this there has scarcely a person lived who has not endeavored to follow out this command. But how to do this has been the great and apparently unanswerable question. In the cycles of time one did appear whose spiritual perception was big enough and keen enough to apprehend the way of salvation as taught and practised by Christ Jesus; and in our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy has set forth these spiritual laws so that any one who honestly desires may study, assimilate, and apply them, and immediately see the results in more abundant health, greater happiness, and a more courageous outlook on life.

We are privileged this evening to listen to one who speaks on the subject of Christian Science with authority. By reason of what is said here this evening, some measure of fear, discouragement, or whatever it is that seems to bind or burden, will be lifted from each heart, and we shall go forth with a greater assurance of the ever-presence of God and of His availability.—Correspondence.

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT.

The remarks of the Rev. B. F. Bulter, Universalist minister, in introducing Clarence C. Eaton, who lectured on Christian Science in the Colonial theater, were as follows:—

It is my privilege and also my pleasure to speak a word of introduction regarding the speaker of the evening. For several reasons it is my pleasure to do so. It is a pleasure in the first place because he comes representing a people of whom I think as fellow members of the household of Christ, as fellow Christians. For to be a Christian, as I understand it, is not a matter of assent to a certain number of intellectual propositions, dogmas. It makes no difference whether those propositions are the especial property of the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Universalist, Unitarian, or even Christian Science church, but to be a Christian is first of all a matter of character, Christlike character. And I have seen among you a sufficient number of those possessing this, so that I can without reserve address you as fellow members of Christ's household.

Again, I am pleased to speak this word because you as Christian Scientists and we as Universalists walk so far together along the same pathway of Truth. The heart of that which you emphasize is precisely the same as the heart of that which we emphasize, the immanence of God; we are also here to say, "This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven;" unseen by the eye of flesh, yet in Him "we live, and move, and have our being." We are also here to say that God is one whose nature as well as name is Love. Consequently you have a right to think and we have a right to think that we in common are teaching the world a message we may well call "the good news and glad tidings." We bid you Godspeed as you stand with us to emphasize this.

Again, whenever any individual is of sound mind and has in his heart the love of God and man, he is entitled to a hearing and fair judgment, whatever may be our conclusion as to principles laid down. So far as our paths may diverge, I trust we are sufficiently large in spirit to say "diversities of gifts," interpretations and administrations, but the one God and Father, the one Lord and Master.

Correspondence.

BELLINGHAM, WASH.

The Metropolitan opera house was crowded to hear the lecture on Christian Science by Virgil O. Strickler. The introductory address by W. H. Patchin of the Normal faculty was as follows:—

You have assembled here this evening to listen to the discussion of a subject which attracts the attention of the civilized world. Only a few decades have passed since the Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, announced her new thought, yet in that time it has gained substantial support and won thousands of followers. I think no man is truly educated unless he is informed as to the principles and objects of all great movements working for the advancement of humanity,—those great forces operating to alleviate suffering and misery. Christian Science does profess to go to the very foundation of all discordant conditions by substituting for superstition and belief a better thought, a correct concept of God, man, and the universe, and their relations to each other.

Your presence here indicates that you are seeking after truth. We that have been healed and redeemed by the tender ministrations of Christian Science believe we have found the truth,—we can truly testify that life has assumed a better, nobler, purer, healthier, holier outlook by reason of our study of this Science and an honest attempt to embody its teachings in our living.—Correspondence.

IOWA CITY, IOWA.

Frank H. Leonard addressed a deeply interested audience at the Englert theater on Christian Science. The lecturer was introduced by Postmaster Henry G. Walker as follows:—

While I am not a Christian Scientist, it gives me no small amount of pleasure to be called upon to introduce to this audience the speaker of this afternoon. Present-day religious thought is characterized by an openness of mind and a search after truth capable of demonstration. To this attitude of mind and to this pursuit of knowledge may be attributed, in large measure, the marvelous growth of Christian Science, which in less than a generation, without seeking to add to its own strength by attacking other creeds, without attempting to attract the impressionable by spectacular public display, without even an endeavor to increase its membership through solicitation, has grown to be an institution far greater than is indicated by its fifteen hundred churches and approximately two hundred thousand members.—Iowa City Press.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.

Bliss Knapp gave a lecture on Christian Science in the Casino de St. Pierre, before an interested audience, three quarters of whom were French-speaking people. Mr. Knapp was introduced in French by Charles E. Vouga, first reader, who said in part,—

There is a law governing each group of Christian Scientists in the world, and unless this law, which is taught by Christian Science, is being demonstrated and proved, there can be no successful mission, no vitality for any of them. The fact that at the present moment there are more than fourteen hundred Christian Science churches and societies, which bring together twice a week thousands of listeners, and also the fact that Christian Science is spreading all over the world and is in no way hindered by the seeming barriers of race, language, and temperament,—these facts prove undoubtedly that demonstration of this law is being constantly made. They also indicate that Christian Science can be demonstrated with absolute accuracy, provided one is willing to study it thoroughly and put it into practise.

Christian Science brings us the understanding of God which Christ Jesus had, an understanding which the world has almost entirely lost. Nineteen centuries ago, Jesus said to those who were willing to listen to him: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," and he went through Palestine proving his words by healing people of their moral and physical diseases, freeing them from their bondage, their errors, and also accomplishing acts that shortsighted mortals called miracles. Jesus said also: "That is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God;" and he demonstrated this saying by his resurrection, showing tangibly that man's true being, which is spiritual, never dies. This truth, this knowledge of which Jesus spoke, is taught to us again by Christian Science.—Correspondence.

SHARON, MASS.

In introducing Prof. Hermann S. Hering, who lectured on Christian Science in the Unitarian church, Howard D. Kenyon, first reader, said:—

During the month now closing, we have again observed the anniversary of the discovery of America. To the people of medieval Europe there was no such thing as a western continent, and the possibility of its existence did not enter their minds. The discoveries of Columbus did not make an American continent, but they proved conclusively that there was one. Every truth has and will continue to have an existence that is absolutely unaffected by our knowledge of it or by our acceptance or rejection of it. To be of service to humanity, however, there must be an individual to perceive the truth, demonstrate its worth, and present it to the world.

Nearly fifty years ago, through a spiritual understanding of the Scriptures, Mrs. Eddy discovered the great truths which have resulted in the Christian Science movement. Like Columbus of old, she created nothing new, but her discoveries have revealed to hundreds of thousands in this country and abroad a world of great possibilities for good wherein the morally and physically imperfect begins to pass away.—Correspondence.