The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-10

An audience that filled every part OF
the theatre gathered In the Providence
Opera House last evening to listen to
q lecture by Rev. Irving c. Tomlinson.
c. g. b., member of the Christian Science
Board of Lectureship OF the First Church
Of Christ. Scientist. in Boston. Mass.
Rev. w. C. Selleck. pastor Of the
Church OF the Mediator. introduced Rev.
Mr.. Tomlinson. whose subject was
Christian Science and Its Discoyerer. ="
The lecture was as follows:
THE LECTURE.
The holy purpose OF Christian Science is
clearly stated I'm those words which the
Master quoted from the Prophet Isaiah as
the announcement OF his mission: The
Spirit OF the Lord Is upon me. because He
hath anointed me TO preach the gospel to
the poor: He hath sent me TO heal the
brokenheerted. to preach dcliverance 10
the captives. and recovering OF sight TO
1.-The blind. and to set at liberty them that
are bruised To accomplish these benefi-
cent results for mankind IL the sole and
only object Of Christian Science. To this
-end-its- prayers are offered, Its literature
freely distributed. and its churches erect
ed TO the service OF God and man. Chris
tian people who see this religion as II Is,
give II their fraternal sympathy and their
kindly consideration.
In the brief time allotted us. we cannot
hope TO state fully this great theme. yet
we may open the way for the earnest
seeker after Truth TO give this subject,
which Is now .uppermost In the minds Of
thinking men. a fair and candid examina-
tion. No doubt its unparalleled develop
ment has occasioned the oft-repeated
question: What are the reasons for the
marvellous growth Of Christian Science?''
The textbook of this denomination,
Science and Health with Key 10 the
Scriptures by Mary Baker g. Eddy. was
first issued In 1875 In this brief interval
there have been sold more than quarter
OF a million copies. The first church OF
the denomination was organized In Bos-
ton In 1879. Today It's churches and so
cicties I'm this and foreign lands number
more than seven hundred Two thousand.
seven hundred and eighty-four members
were admitted TO the Mother Church IN
Boston during the past year. The last
Communion service Of The First Church
Of Christ. Scientist. was attended by thir-
teen thousand persons, as reported by the
Boston press. These facts, together with
the conspicuous achievements and wide
ly read writings OF ITS wise Leader; the
high character Of its adherents. among
whom are not only men Of large business
Affairs. but also clergymen. physicians
teachers. and learned Judges; and Its mui-
tiplied cures OF sickness and sin have
awakened profound interest which has oc-
cas,oned much discussion.
THE DIsCovERER AND LEADER.
Those who are conversant with this
movement, know that what Is most con-
spicuous In the Cause and its growth Is
the wisdom. foresight. untiring devotion
and lofty Christian character OF Its
Leader The opportunities afforded me
for a full and adequate estimate of the
Leader Of this great movement have been
favorable. During the past four years my
residence has been I'm Concord. New
Hampshire. the home Of Mrs. Eddy. and
for more than three months at one time
I was A member Of her household. he
New Hampshire histories contain many
important and interesting facts concern
ing Mrs. Eddy and her ancestors. From
these accurate historical works one may
CLEAN much OF interest concerning her and
her family. She was born I'm Bow. near
Concord. n. H.. descended from sturdy
Scotch and English ancestry. Captain
John Lovewell. the famous Indian fighter.
whose valor In the field destroyed the
power OF the savages and made II possi-
BILE for the early settlers OF northern New
England peacefully 10 establish them
selves. was her ancestor. Her great
grandfather was Captain Joseph Baker
who settled In Pembroke about 1740. Cap
tain Baker was one OF the foremost men
Of his section. He received his commits
sion from King George as captain OF a
Colonial Foot Company. He was n mem
Der OF the third Provincial Congress OF
New Hampshire. and active in helping the
province TO take its stand for the new Re-
public His three sons. one Of whom was
Mrs. Eddys grandfather were all soldiers
OF the Revolution. Intellectually. her
family has always stood high Mrs
Eddy's brother. Albert Baker, was n
graduate Of Dartmouth College. He was
an honored member OF the New Hanp-
shire bar. an eminent debater and q bril-
liant orntor He was thrice elected TO the
Legislature of his native state. and had
rapidly attained n leading position I'm
those legislative halls when he 6ied. at
the early age of thisty-one. In the old
church Of Pembroke. three % her ances-
tors were It's honored deacons. Her mo-
Tiers father was Deacon Nathaniel Am
brose. and through his generosity and In
bors there was founded the North con
gregational Church. which was known as
Deacon Amhrose's Church" The his
torian also tells us that so largely was the
Baker family interested In founding the
Methodist Church ~ that town. that
with rropriety ~ might have been c1llcd
the Baker meeting house" Thus both
sides Of her family were founders OF To-
raj churches. Mrs. Eddv's parcnts were
devout members % the Congrega tional
Church both have family creSts. Her
mother was woman ~ rare Chris'ian
virtues. and the atmosrhcre OF the homo
was teyoutlv religious
Mrs Eddy r. richly endowed fcr her
work by nature and sy sIss grace She pos ss
ably retentive memory. deep spiritual IN
eight. a fireless energy and an unquench-
able love Of mankind Her native Fiffs
were supplemented by the Instruction of
enrcfsi tutors and nv careful training ir
ne schools and academies OF New Hamp-