The Lectures

Introductions to Lectures

with contributions from Judd Stilson, Willa G. Brachmann, Francis C. Batson

New Haven, Connecticut (Society of Yale University).

Lecturer: William Duncan Kilpatrick; introduced by Judd Stilson, who said:—

The teachings of Christian Science enable us to realize the profound truth in the words which Shakespeare makes Hamlet utter, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so"—words which because of their applicability to all ages, Mrs. Eddy placed in the forefront of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." In Christian Science, thinking is only the first step: we must know. We must follow Jesus' teaching, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." People throughout the world are continually struggling with some kind of discord—pain, sickness, want, or unhappiness. Why? It is because of wrong thinking. Redemption from this evil or discord can come only through individual right thinking, through thinking in accordance with spiritual law, the law of God. Mrs. Eddy makes this law very plain in her textbook when she says (p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts."

I speak from personal experience when I say that Christian Science heals the sick. When I was a small boy I had many severe attacks of what was called appendicitis; and I was forced to stay in bed for weeks at a time, suffering intense pain. The doctors had always refused to operate because, they said, I would not live. Eight years ago a decision had to be made, and at that time Christian Science was presented to us. The thought of the fear of disease was immediately destroyed and we began to think and know the truth about God, the truth about man, and the truth about man's relation to God. I received an instantaneous healing and have had no return of the suffering since. I have found Christian Science workable, practicable, and demonstrable, not only in regard to healing, but also in my college work and daily life.

Chula Vista, California (Society).

Lecturer: Paul Stark Seeley; introduced by Miss Willa G. Brachmann, who said:—

The Bible tells us in Mark's Gospel, "These signs shall follow them that believe; ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." When Christian Science was a strange thing to me, I saw it enter our home and lay its hands on the sick. My grandmother, who was over eighty-four years of age, after three physicians had pronounced her incurable was restored to health; my father was healed of chronic indigestion of years' standing; my mother of chronic sick headaches; my brother of sick headaches; and my two sisters and myself of verious ailments. While we are most grateful for these physical healings, we have learned that, as Mrs. Eddy says in one of her writings, "Rudimental Divine Science" (p. 2): "Healing physical sickness is the smallest part of Christian Science. It is only the bugle-call to thought and action, in the higher range of infinite goodness."

Nottingham, England (First Church).

Lecturer: Mrs. Nelvia E. Ritchie; introduced by Francis C. Batson, who said:—

I have experienced very many healings, two of which I shall now refer to: the first may be called surgical, and the other medical. I had been suffering a good deal internally, and the many symptoms might have been regarded as quite serious. Not being able to meet the case myself I telegraphed for absent help, to an experienced Christian Scientist who knew my case. That afternoon the pain entirely subsided, and the following day I had quite recovered. In the other case, while attending a Christian Science lecture in this hall, I was healed of my last sore throat. During that lecture it entirely departed; for which I was very grateful.

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