The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-11-14
Christian Science the Religion"
Judge Septimus ]. Hanna of Colorado
Springs Addresses a Large Audience in
Grange Hall.


Springs Addresses a Large Audience in
Grange Hall.
Those who accepted the invitation
of the local Society and were present
at Grange Hall last Monday evening
had the pleasure of listening to very
able address on subject of great in
terest to all who are studiously in
clined, embracing the history, beliefs
and purposes OF Christian Science.
Practically every seat in the hall was
taken. 1t was evident that those
present included allshades of opinion;
some who were yet to be convinced of
the usefulness of the art of Christian
Healing, and possibly some who came
with the great skepticism with regard
thereto, as well as those who are al
ready enthusiastic believers. All,
however, listened with the closest at
tention and the address given by
Judge Hanna must have pro6ted
every nearer. He came from New
York city to Maine purposing to speak
in Vinal Haven and Skowhegan.
Through some Misunderstanding he
did not reach Vinal Haven, so it
proved that this lecture was the only
one given in the state. Previous to
becoming interested in Christian
Science, Mr.. Hanna was one of the
Supreme Court Judges of the state of
Illinois, and resided at Chicago. He
was for several years a member of the
editorial board for Christian Science
publications, this work giving him
familiarity with the subject that
could hardly be attained by anyone
not having similar advantages. This
has been supplemented by studies pur-
sued while he occupied the distin-
guished position of Reader in the
Church of the Mother Society in Bos-
ton and during the time that he has
been a member of the board of lee
tureship. 1t will, therefore, be readi-
ly understood that he spoke from a
store of knowledge almost unlimited
and that his utterances had the weight
of authority.
The local Society, under whose aus
pices he appeared here, was organized
in October 1903. There are from 20 to
so such Societies in this state and
about 1000 throughout the various
states of the Union.
Early arrivals had the pleasure of
listening to a piano recital by Miss
Edith Lewis, at the close of which the
orator of the evening came upon the
stage, accompanied by Albert r. Smi-
ley and (. N. Merrill, Esq. Mr.. Smiley
spoke briefly, welcoming the audience
to the hall on behalf of the Grange
and introducing Mr.. Merrill as the
chairman of the meeting. Previous
to introducing Judge Hanna, Mr.. Mer
rill made a very graceful speech in
which he showed a knowledge of
Christian Science that indicated more
than casual study of the subject.
1ho iOlic"iiS ID OH Oublll0 vi III :
Merrill's address:
Members of the Christian Science
Society, ladies and gentlemen:
| deem it a special honor and GER
tainly pleasure to be invited by this
Society to preside over this meeting
and to Introduce to you the learned
and distinguished speaker, who has
come from afar to lecture upon the
subject of Christian Science.
From the earliest history OF the
world the human family have ever
worshiped some kind of deity; some
have worshiped gods and idols but
we believe in the one Supreme God.
We believe in Christ as the only Son
and our Mediator, and when | say
that we believe in Christ ! mean
practically every person within this
hall and practically every person in
our community believes in Christ as
the son of God and those who believe
in Christ are properly called Chris
tians. There are Christians and
then there are Christians, but all who
believe in Christ are Christians
whether they are Scientists, Metho-
dists, Baptists, Congregationalists,
Catholics, or what not.
We are called Christians and we
call ourselves Christians simply be-
cause We believe in the teachings
and doctrines expounded by Christ
when on earth. You are called
Christian Scientists and why?
First because you believe in Christ.
Science means what? A knowledge
of laws, principles and relations of
things pertaining to Christianity.
Now | 60 a step further and | say
that all Christians are Christian
Scientists. | don't want any of my
Methodist friends or my Baptist
friends or any one else to take UNI
bragg at that because | believe that
when you analyze and fully compre-
bend the true meaning of the word
Christian, then you become a Chris
tian Scientist, because then you have
knowledge of the law of Christ.
This is Christian Science. What is
science? 1t is a knowledge, it is an I'M
derstanding. How is it obtained? By
deduction, as well as induction. Then
Christian Science what does it mean?
A knowledge of the principles taught
by Christ which are applicable TO
every Christian in this community and
throughout the length and breadth of
this broad land. Any one who has
knowledge and understanding of the
laws of Christianity is a Christian
Scientist, because the science is sim
ply knowledge of the law of the sub
ject to which it is applied.
This is the first Christian Science