The Lectures
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (The Mother Church).—When introducing Frank Bell, a Christian Science lecturer, to his audience, Bliss Knapp spoke as follows:—
The world is coming more and more to realize that the statements of Truth made by Christian Science are living and vital. Christ Jesus proved the vitality of his declarations by healing the sick and raising the dead. The healing ministry of Christian Science is to-day awakening thought to lay hold of those same truths. Christian Science explains how these vital truths, illuminating the thought of an invalid, are able to lift him from a sick bed into the realization of perfect health. These truths are essential to salvation. They arouse one as though awaking him out of sleep.
Instances have been known of those who were asleep and dreaming beginning to suspect in the dream that their experiences were but a dream. When that suspicion begins to appear, the awakening always follows. It is recorded that Jesus went to awaken Lazarus out of sleep, and by doing so, he overcame death. When the sick man begins to suspect, through the vitality of Christian truth, that his sickness is but the dream of matter, he will awaken out of it.
LAWTON, OKLAHOMA (First Church).—Introducing William D. Kilpatrick, a Christian Science lecturer, to his audience, Bertrice M. Parmenter spoke as follows:—
Many years ago I found myself broken in spirit, discouraged, hopes blasted, physically a wreck, suffering with nervous prostration, and my eyes in such a weakened condition that I could walk the street only with them closed, opening them often enough to discern my way on the sidewalk. I experimented with the oculist, but any glasses that were fitted to my eyes would within forty-eight hours become unbearable, so that I could not use them. Finding that this treatment did me no good, I wrote to a Christian Science practitioner and told him of my condition. I well remember one sentence contained in the letter of reply, which was, "You can take off the glasses when you feel like it." On the second day after I had commenced to take Christian Science treatment, I felt as if I really wanted to take off the glasses, and did so.
My healing, however, was not a quick one. It became necessary for me to take up the study of Christian Science, and my healing did not become complete for a number of years. In the meantime I was pursuing the study of Christian Science with increased diligence; and when I had recovered my health I found that I had accomplished two things: I had recovered my health, and, what was more important, I had discovered and learned a rule whereby, when I applied it, I could relieve myself and others of pain, sickness, and discouragement, and find a larger measure of peace of mind, prosperity, and happiness.
BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE (Society).—Introducing Judge Samuel W. Greene, a Christian Science lecturer, to his audience, Mrs. Olga Nielsen Kier said in part:—
Christian Science bases its sole reason for existence on its firm adherence to faith in one all-powerful God, and Christian Scientists are consistent in turning to God in times of trouble and to Him alone. Christian Science places dependence alone upon the spiritual law that Jesus expounded, and relies not at all upon the many material means of men's own devising, for it realizes that these are but the inventions of which the Bible speaks, and are wholly inconsistent with a firm allegiance to that God of whom it is said, "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." In John we read, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." This is the message Christian Science is giving to an awakening world, a world indeed awakening to know that "one thing is needful," namely, a better understanding of God. Many who have never before read the Bible enjoy reading it after being spiritually awakened through some understanding of Christian Science. Those to whom the Bible promises have been precious find these same promises to have an enlarged and practical value in the now, the present moment, bringing healing to the sick and the sorrowing, as well as regeneration to the sinner.
MADISON, WISCONSIN (First Church).—Introducing the Hon. William E. Brown, a Christian Science lecturer, to his audience, Mrs. Ruby May Small said in part:—
During the darkest hour of Israelitish history there suddenly appeared a wonderful star of hope, in the life of Christ Jesus, enlightening the understanding of men, opening the eyes of the blind spiritually and physically, healing the dying, and raising the dead. Some time ago we too sat in darkness, ignorant of the ever present light of Truth. Suddenly for us, and many others, there shone the same star of hope, bearing the name Christian Science, and bringing as of old "the fruit of the Spirit." I myself have experienced and witnessed many healings. I have seen the eyes of one born blind opened instantly; a young man who had been bound by the cords of insanity loosed through the ministrations of Christian Science treatment, and set free; a lady suffering in the last stages of tuberculosis restored overnight, and able to attend to the housework herself the following day. Thus the redemptive work of Christian Science is going on throughout the whole world. In the words of a beloved hymn I would say to you,
"Acquaint thyself at once with Love,
And Truth shall guide to Light above."
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (Twelfth Church).—The following introduction was given by George Dixon at a Christian Science lecture by Richard J. Davis:—
In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we find these words (p. 227) : "Citizens of the world, accept the 'glorious liberty of the children of God,' and be free!" Most people are trying to be free from something, but apparently many do not know where to look for emancipation. Christian Science makes it clear that fear is at the root of all trouble; and the teachings of Christian Science show us plainly how to overcome this monster, fear, and so find freedom from every ill. In these days of turmoil and disturbance, heaven is a much sought-after place, because it promises freedom; and the following words of Jesus remind us that we need not look to some distant time or place for it, because they read, "The kingdom of God is within you."
I could testify at length to benefits received through Christian Science, for it has revolutionized my life, bringing harmony where discord held sway, by revealing more of the kingdom within.
