The Lectures

with contributions from C. T. Cotham, Roy E. Bignall, Frank H. Ehmke

Hot Springs, Ark.

Virgil O. Strickler addressed an audience of more than six hundred people at the Princess Theater on the subject of Christian Science. The speaker was introduced by Judge C. T. Cotham, who said in part:—

Truth is progressive. To each generation the honor is given of producing some tall, sun-crowned men and women who live on the mountain tops and catch the first glimpses of truth as it radiates from the throne of God, and transmit it to a grateful posterity. Some such great soul, as thousands of earnest and intelligent seekers after truth scattered throughout the civilized world today are ready with much confidence to declare, was the product of the nineteenth century in the person of Mrs. Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

Dating back to 1866, the year of Mrs. Eddy's great discovery, Christian Science has had a wonderful growth, and now commands a position of wide influence and power. Today this denomination has churches and communicants in every civilized country of the world, and numbers among its adherents the high and the low, the rich and the poor, and seems to make a special appeal to those engaged in the more intellectual pursuits and vocations of life. Such a denomination or creed, taking into consideration its marvelous growth, power, wealth, and influence, cannot fail to command our respect, and entitles the exponents and teachers of its principles to a patient hearing and a fair consideration of its doctrines.—Hot Springs Sentinel-Record.

Harrisburg, Pa.

Virgil O. Strickler, who lectured on Christian Science in the Majestic Theater, was introduced by Roy E. Bignall, first reader, who said:—

Over nineteen centuries ago Jesus of Nazareth taught and demonstrated the truth about God and man, healing the sick and the sinning. His followers carried his teaching and practice into the third century of the Christian era. From this time on the truth has been hidden from the minds of men by creeds and dogma, and mankind has been hampered and limited by educated beliefs and theories based upon materiality. In the year 1866 thought was again awakened to a spiritual understanding of the truth through the discovery of Christian Science by Mrs. Eddy, and today this healing Christ-truth is again offered to the world as a practical, demonstrable science. Thousands have accepted its teaching, have proved its efficacy, and have been healed of their sicknesses and cleansed of their sins.—Correspondence.

Silver Creek, N. Y.

Frank H. Ehmke, counselor at law, in introducing Col. William E. Fell, who lectured on Christian Science, said:—

For many years I have studied intermittently and more or less earnestly the teachings of Christian Science. During some of this time I studied philosophy and Biblical literature, with the hope of discovering arguments or a system of philosophy that would silence this faith which has spread to all parts of the earth and won hundreds of thousands of adherents. I did not like the idea of characterizing Christianity as a science, and would have smiled scornfully at any one who would have dared claim for it the exactness of mathematics.

Mathematical principles are absolute and universal. The product of two given numbers is constant and unchangeable. The equation two times three equals six was true yesterday, is true today, and will be true tomorrow, not only upon the earth but in all parts of the universe, for all thinking beings who have intelligence enough to understand the basic law of multiplication. Mathematical principles are absolute because they are deductions or products of mind. They exist in mind, and only in mind. All geometrical figures are objects of mind. You never saw a straight line, a triangle, a square, a circle, a sphere, or any other geometrical figure except with the mind's eye.

The point I want to impress upon you is this: If our laws of mathematics are so exact and absolute, what conclusion are we justified in drawing with reference to the laws of an omniscient God? what conclusion must we reach in regard to the laws of the all-knowing Mind? or, in other words, must we not of a necessity expect the divine Principle to be absolute, exact, and universal? The reason why we are unable to demonstrate with scientific certainty the laws of God is that we have become subject to our belief in the laws of matter and have silenced our spiritual senses, through which alone we are able to gain a knowledge of God as Spirit. Jesus the Christ, the most spiritually-minded man who ever lived, understood God's laws and proved them at all times to be swift and sure. As in mathematics the fundamentals unfold only through patient demonstration, so in the Science of Christianity we rise to the understanding of God only through the demonstration of His laws. I can conceive of nothing of more value to man than to possess such an understanding of God as will enable him to demonstrate God's allness; for in the possession of such an understanding man unifies and identifies himself with the Almighty, and in it God does indeed become his Father, the creator of all that was made, including man in His own image and likeness.

It took me a long time to remove my burden of prejudice against Christian Science, although I knew that no student is fully prepared to investigate or pass judgment upon any subject in which he is influenced by prejudice, for he cannot accurately gage the truth of his investigations or formulate a fair judgment. Light enters only the open eye; Love, the open heart; Truth, the open mind. I plead with you, therefore, to listen to the message of the speaker with honest candor and openness of mind.—Correspondence.

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