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THE LAKE SHORE NEWS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21,1921 A LECTURE ON CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Entitled "Christian Science: The True Import of the Word" By WILLIS F. GROSS, C. S. B. Willis F. Gross. C. S. B., of Boston, Mass., member of the Board of Lec- tureship of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., delivered a lecture on Christian Science Thursday evening, October2QtJi,sunder the auspices of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Wil- mette. 111., in the church edifice Cen- tral Avenue and Tenth Street. ~ The lecturer was introduced by M John W. Panushka, who said: Friends: On behalf of the members of this church I extend you a cordial wel- come. h According to the Gospel of Luke, Christ Jesus declared to the inquiring Pharisees, "The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say. Lo here! or, Lo, there 1 for, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you." To ever ^ increasing multitudes Christian Science is unfolding the freedom and harmony of this heavenly Kingdom, in. higher ideals of life, more love to God and our brother man, true happiness, better health and mor?fcrmore~abundant supply. Public lectures on Christian Science are provided jthrough The Board of Lectureship of The Mother Chufch, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Bo»ton, Mass., of which this church is a branch, andthitr.evejrn'ng we are privileged to have with us a member of this Board, who speaks with author- ity and from long experience. It is now my pleasure to introduce to you Mr. Willis F. Gross. C. S. B.. of Boston, Mass., who will now ad- dress you. r Many important events in history, stand out as milestones marking the way of human progress out of Egyptian darkness and bondage, through the wilderness of toil and struggle, up to the vision of the prom- ised land. From the beginning of-.J[j 0"f"SpVritual activity was so wide- the effectual remedy for all discord- ant conditions, and so the words of the apostle, "Behold now is the ac- cepted time, now is the day of sal- vation," meant more to them than they do tQthe people of this age. So long as faith was manifest by works it was vitally important and its influence was felt/hut when speculation took the plate of demonstration and men were ught a theoretical rather than a ...actical religion, salvation became a future possibility instead of a^present reality. Christianity Is Spiritual Christianity, as taught and demon- strated by its Founder, Christ Jesus, is a purely spiritual religion. It was a radical departure from the forms and ceremonies of Judaic worship. Jesus declared that the time had come when "the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth." He taught that true worship is expressed in spiritual living and not in the observance of rites and ceremonies. So long as his followers were able to demonstrate their faith in healing sickness andjlestroying sin, Christianity was maintained in its purity ,but when a sense of material- ism blinded the eyes of the people these works were no longer in evi- dence and thus the spiritual import pf the gospel was lost. Teaching and practice gradually be- came more and more material until the true idea of Christianity was al- most lost sight of; but God had not left himself without a witness. There were a few spiritually minded persons wfcp had eyes to see and they earnest- ly protested against the material te^xhtng^^nd-pra^tic^winctr^ the sanction of the established church. These protestations were received with favor on the part of many earn- est seekers for truth and a great awakening came about the middle of the sixteenth century. This reviv- human experience earnest seekers for truth and righteousness have trod the straight and narrow way, lovingly obedient to the law of God as they understood that law, and we of to-day reap the benefits of their labors and sacrifice. We can not be too grateful for the good we have received, neither can we appreciate too highly the faithful endeavors of those noble and illustrious men and women who not only taught God's love for humanity, but who alsq^Jemonstrated the availa- bility of good as the effectual remedy for all our ills. Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, was one of the world's greatest benefactors and we study her life and her works with ever increasing love arid gratitude. Her discovery, in 1866, of the divine Prin- ciple of Christian healing marked the beginning of a new era in religious teaching and practice. For eighteen hundred years Christ's Christianity had been accepted as the ideal relig- ion and the adherents of this faith considered it the most potent influence for good that had eyer enriched human experience. The- Sermon on the Mount was the tuihlhng of hw and prophecv. It was more definite and more practical than the teachings _oLMoses and the prophets and it was more successful in turning thought in- to ritrht channels and more effectual in directing human affairs because_it was divested of all'material theories and practices. . „ The influence of Christianity is senr in- spired the greatest sacrifices. It has ever been the source of strength and courage to those faithful pioneers ot Truth who considered not their own but another's good. This religion was a thing of vital importance to the primitive Christians and they esteem- ed all else of little value r parispn were" so divinely in every'step of human progress. :. has exalted the loft jest ideals -and u spread that it is known in history as the Reformation. This awakening did not wholly succeed in establishing primitive Christianity with its attend- ant blessings and benefits, but it was ©f-vital importance in that it laid the foundation for the greater work to be accomplished when the world was made ready for it. Wise spiritual leaders, who revived the waning faith of the people and quickened the desire to know God and to serve Him acceptably, arose at vari- ous times. It is noteworthy that in all ages the men and women who were most successful in turning thought away from materialism to the contemplation of spiritual things were those who had been most faithful in the practice of the purest and best religious teaching of their day. These faithful followers of Christ prepared the way for the fuller unfolding of Truth and a clearer realization ot God's ever-presence and love. Christian Science The greatest spiritual awakening of recent centuries began with the dis- cover of Christian Science a little more than half a century ago, Tnjs a*akncing has increased in .strength and momentum with every Passing vear The licht has never waned and, ther* has never been a time when i-.,ere was the slightest evidence of de- creasing interest in this new-old teaching of the Christ. Mary Raker Efddy. the acknowledg- ed' Leader of the Christian Science movement, was a woman of exemp- lary character: a devout Christia: from earlv childhood and a faithful friend of humanity, respected and lov- ed bv all who knew her Like other ereat reformers, Mrs. Eddy had been carefully instructed according to the highest and best spiritual thought ot the age. and she was faithful in her practice the tury was the beginning of the Chris- tian Science movement, a movement which encircled the globe more than a score of years ago bringing health and joy to unnumbered thousands. The healing of sickness and sin was the foundation on which Jesus established his work, and the healing of sickness and sin is the very corner stone of Christian Science teaching and prac- tice. „ _.. ' It was evident to Mrs. Eddy that she had regained her health in a manner not to be accounted for by the teachings of the medical schools or by any other teaching based on material hypotheses. Her atending physician earnestly desired to know what had wrought the miracle, but she could only assure him that it was. the work of God. There was no human source to which she might turn for an answer to the question as to how hertealing had been accomplished. She tells us that she found Jiothing in ancient or modern writings, save-the. teachings of the Scriptures, which could en- t) (11, ,, .. lighten her in the least and thus she j ThJs s^OVfS tnat what Mrs. Eddy * theoretical and a practical teach- good works was wunswerabb. in* c*nie to ^e,,,, 9*y»ng, «&?!> Mrs. Eddy's writings are distinct, » »°w t*.t thou a ively original. No religious teacher since the days of the apostles has taken such a broad, comprehensive view of Scriptural teachings, neither has there been any one who arrived at the same definite conclusions con- cerning the universal application of these teachings to the activities of human experience. Early critics ad- mitted that Mrs. Eddy's writings were original, but they said they: would never be read, much less would they have any pronounced effect on the thought of the age. Forty years have passed since these opponents of Chris- tian Science thought they had effect- ually disposed of this new teaching; what is the result? Never was there so greata demand for her writings as there is to-dav. The time has come when it is difficult to find a per- son of intelligence and influence who had not read her book. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. was led to study her Bible even more faithfully than before. She learned that she must find a new basis of interpretation, since the generally ac- cepted explanations of Holy Writ had not made it clear to suffering human- ity that God is willing to heal the sick as well as to save the sinner. As she searched diligently for the spiritual meaning of the inspired word, the light of Truth gradually dispelled the darkenss of material belief and re- vealed the universe^ of God's creating perfect, harmonfous, and eternal. Spiritual Interpretation *In the spiritual interpretation of the Scriptures Mrs. Eddy discovered the divine Principle of Jesus' teach- ings and works to be God. This state- ment leads us to the consideration of the fact that Christian Science is the spiritual import of the Inspired Word. The material interpretation of Jesus' teachings has rendered them imprac- tical and impossible of demonstration, while the spiritual interpretation makes them readily understood and possible of application to all the af fairs and experiences of daily life. When interpreted materially the Scriptures often seem to be contra- dictory, but when interpreted spirit- ually it is found that each declaration of Truth is in accord with every other and there are no contradictions in the inspired writings. It is in the matter of Scriptural in- terpretation that Christian Science has departed from the generally ac- cepted religious dostrines. If Mrs. Eddy had not forsaken the material interpretation for the spiritual she would not have discovered the divine Science of Jesus' teachings. Haviner experienced the healing power of Truth, she was persuaded that an in- telligent answer to the question how she had been restored to health could be found. The study of the Scriptures in the light of her wonderful exper- ience enabled Mrs. Eddy to grasp the spritiual fact sufficiently to formulate the rules which make possible the practical application of the inspired teachings. Science And Health Mrs. Eddy gave to the world the re- sults of her study and research, not. however, until she had demonstrated the correctness of her conclusions by healing the sick and reforming the sinner. These conclusions are clearly set forth in the Christian Science text-book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Faithful study nf "this book in connection with the wrote concerning God, man, and hu- man experience commands more than a passing consideration by all think- ing people. Let us take one instance of the ori- ginality of her writings. The first sentence of her answer to the oues- tion. "What is the scientific state- ment of being?" reads as follows: "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter." (Science and Health, p. 468.) Where in the literature of recent centuries is to be found a statement anywise similar to this ? The belief of substance, lite, and intelligence in matter is the very basis of mortal existence: it is the prolific source of all earthly woes as well as of the fleeting toys of human experience. Mrs. Eddy's statement is indeed original and it strikes at the very foundation of evil in all its phas- es No statement since the Master s declaration. "The flesh profiteth noth- ing," has aroused so much opposition on the part of materialistic thinking. No one sentence has revealed greater possibilities otT required greater^sac- know that thou art a tead? from God: for no man candL miracles that thou doest ii* be with him.w esi'«*«Pti Jesus declared that such h works as;he did would ever K. proof that his teachings were \L stood. In every age a living '* manifest in works; "Faith works is dead," declared the l Jesus was opposed by the relii of his day, not because he tauk law and the prophets, but becaL demonstrated that the Truth rev.' in law and prophecy could heal sick and reform the sinner. TotI materially minded persons who satisfied with the observance of | and ceremonies, it seemed impos that the, healing of sickness could suit from the exercise of a reasoi faith in God, and thev declared, Jesus cast out devils through Bee! bub. Christian Science Not Meimeriia It is sometimes said by ignorant malicious opponents of a praci Christianity that the healing wi accomplished in Christian Science merely the result of mesmerism. accusations of the Pharisees agar the Master were false, and the as; tion that Christian_^Science hea! is the work of hypnotism or sag tion is utterly void of intelligent truth. It may be that the belie mesmerism has seemed to accompl results similar to the healing wet of Chri stian Science, hut si necromancers of Egypt claimed emulate the wonderful works of Mi es, but spiritual understanding | veals the great difference betwi Christian Science and hypnotic c trol. The later claims to work fi a material basis, even the belief mind in matter and intelligence apart| from God, while Christian Sciem heals through the understanding the oneness of Mind. God, and tl nothingness of everything which c poses itself to good. The first cot mandment, "Thou shalt have no of1 gods before me." is the bask Christian Science teaching and de onstration. Obedience to this con mandment robs the belief in mesmer] of any seeming power. Chris ism tian Science is the only protecttoi against this so-called influence wltf claims to work evil as well as goo Nothing but good can result from th scientific application of senptur teachings. Christianity, understc rifices of mortal man finding satisfac tion in the indulgence of material illusions. It shows that if one would find the kingdom of harmony within he* must forsake all material beliefs and put into practice the purely spiritual teachings of the Nazarene. Jesus' Mission Jesus of Nazareth was the Founder of the Christian religion and a care-.is capable of demonstration it ful study of his works as well as of arms evil, breaks the.shackles of his teachines is indispensable to a and disease, and causes men to rej right apprehension of his mission on in the liberty of the children ot U earth. He made plain the way of sal- Prayer vation from all evil, disease and suf- fering as well as sin. It is a fatal mistake to conclude that the mission of Jesus was merely to teach men how to prepare for happiness in & future life. "I am come,' said he. endeavor to put into .. teachings of Holy Writ The life of The early disciples of Jesus l Jesus as i* was portrayed in the benp- • imbued with the t'ures was her ideal and she believed f^S&ZSS* ^exampT/t^'ToThe ^tem^f could turn1 them from the faith. Many were persecuted even unto death, but these faithful followers of Christ.were ever able to say with Paul, In all these things we are mor<rthan con- querors through him that loveoHis The advent of Christianity was the greatest spiritual awakening the world ^as^ever known^and the ^owâ„¢?*? °J the Christian religion was the highest earthly representative of the divine imager and likeness. During the cen- ^«rifT which followed, all Christian JS^le ha* put their trust in him Z. which iiulhci iiitditiiie hoi surgery {rtvmur ^ men .His^ ^gs | ^reach^her g^wasjje^ ^~» nnderstood only m part and so the significance of his works was not fully recognized. If we base our conclusions on the Biblical record df the early Christians it must be clear to us that they had a more practical idea ?f «•>*£* than is ^nerally cntertamed^ay Tn»ey^esTeemed^heir -i aftfe-sn-4*oa-*M doine the healing works which he de- clared would be done by all who un- derstand his doctrine. The search for healthjdurine many years of invalidism led to the investi- gation of nearly every method of healing which promised relief. One thing after another failed her and she pondered the meaning of her mother s oft repeated words of comfort and as- surance, "God is able to heal you. An accident resulted in injuries ed of. In this hour of extremity she turned to the Bible for strength and consolation and as she read the ac- count of the healing of the paralytic as recorded in the ninth chapter of Matthew, the healing power of Truth was manifested and she arose from her bed. completely restored Bible imparts the understanding which enables the earnest seeker for Truth to demonstrate Christian Science bv healing sickness and de- stroving the false sense of pleasure in wrong doing. The author of Science and Health and other works on Christian Science cccssful writer, teachers- leader. Tn^aK^tnat s^e did she evidenced her fitness for the great work to which she was called. Mrs. Eddy was ever faithful over the things of Spirit; she constantly turned to divine Love for wisdom and guid- ance and this was the secret of her remarkable achievements. For many years she stood with staff in hand, ready to move on when* God pointed the wav, and it is to her untiring ef- forts, her unceasing vigilance, her supreme devotion to that which puri- fies and elevates character, her count- less heroic sacrifices, little known even to her nearest friends,â€" it is to these that we and all the world are indebted for the unprecedented pros- perityâ€"of-theâ€"causeâ€"ofâ€"Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy The Discoverer Repeated attempts have been made to show that some one other than Mrs. Eddy discovered Christian Science, or that Mrs. Eddy simply revived an old teaching and gave it a new setting. One thing of greac- est importance seems to have been overlooked by these critics, namely, that no one who sought to show that Christian Science was discovered by some one else has ever demonstrated that the understanding gained from the study of other writings enabled turn to heal the sick. Christian Science is demonstrable and this fact "that they (men) might have life, and that they might have it more abund- antly" The demonstration of his teachings met the human need and those who were blest thereby did have life more abundantly, even on this plane of existence. The prophet Isaiah foresaw the coming of this healing religion and he wrote. "Then shall the eyes ofthe blind be opened, and the ears of. the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sine. ; this prophecv was fulfilled literally in the first century of the Christian era. but because men are unable to. dempn- sltate God's power to heal the siclc ey have said that these words of the prophet are to be interpreted spritiually; that they refer to the healing of spiritual blindness, deat- ness ,and other moral infirmities. It does mean iwst such healing as this, but it also has a direct reference to the power of Truth to heal all ills of the flesh. The blind, the df aL, t dumb, and the- lame were'healed by Jesus and his disciples. When mans spiritual healing is accomplished the phvsical healing follows as a neces- Is it not spiritual fhts-marve^of *Be-»ineteentk een- reveals the great difference between blindness which causes one to jmes-ffajr first the kingdom oi tion God's willingness to restore har- mony to one who has lost the sense of sight? What but spiritual deafness prevents humanity from hearing the voice of Truth saying to the afflicted one "Thv faith hath made thee wbole"? What but spiritual dumbness prevents the Christian from saying to the lame man. "Take up thy bed and walk"? Spiritual understanding casts out all errors of mortal belief, lifts thought ^bove the discords of bodily existence andmakes^ man every whit whole. Witness Of Good Works When John sent his disciples ^ to Jesus and asked whether his coming into the world was in fulfillment of prophecy the great Teacher pointed to his works instead of referring to his doctrine. His works established the truth of what he taught and his works convinced his followers that he was sent of God to deliver suffering humanity from the physical and moral evils which held them in bondage. He said, "The works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do,.bear witness of me, , that the Father hath sent me." Nico- [ definite teaching of Holy Wj demus realized that the argument of j God is Love and Love is no Mrs. Eddy has spoken of the e* cise of will-power, which is the r of mesmerism, as the prayer ot righteousness which can never reau benefit humanity. True prayer c bring only good into human ience and it is indispensable to Chris- tian activity. The possible resajr prayer should be understood, otht wise mortals may fancy that praye can be used to advance their or personal interests, possibly ^to detriment of others. It: may be W cult to eliminate the thoupht ot interest from human P^poseand sire, but only as this is done J* possible to offer that prayer wn« avails with God. The prevailing ion that prayer is simply asking that which is desired is based on\M belief that it is possible for mort* to influence God. oerchance causm Him to do that which ^He might to bestow wild have done, or would have withheld A pronuneii KnelTsh Theologian wrote. 'T^gr! God doth not change Him. but fits to receive the thing WfiM This definition of prayer i?.in^ with the teachings of \"« $ rlearlv -how that man '» hlestacc jnguto-his fitness to receivi?. - USg| pc^tf prayer is to benefittaSSj^ ani* the only right motive i to M pare human thought for the rece* of spiritual good. vj Jesus taught the necessity oj. s £ first the Wngdonvo ^£1 righteousness that all things to harmonious growth ana ^j might be added. He %d"J)M ciples, "Your heavenly Father-vi eth that ye have jeedjrt a i things before ye ask him. ^i the need, is it reasonable to su^ >hat God'would withhold or re impossible for â- Â«Ben.,t?sft „ot^| which is for their good?.Is*" ^ reasonable to conclude that do not receivejtJs because they ^ not prayed aright? When 1**^] "If ve abide in me. and my abide in you, ye shall asK. will, and it shall be done unto y ^ he, taught that the sincere d« , the heart, inspired witn y, God andjman, can not lead one » and it is blest of the Father. Tn true prayer there can n be no posing interests. The conflicting^ desires, and aspirations °J-„ithought, resulting from a *^JJ|^jj opinions and beliefs, â- ****«» a**| of unrighteousness which c»^ nothing for humanity. *°' , that God would bless one PJf^|^ manner which would cause> v~ to suffer loss, is to lose sign*