The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-10-01

ANGlGu last SNSGlIlE at 5lo1lS . MuSlS
hall by William r. Rathvon, G. S. B.,
OF. Boston, Mass. under the auspices
of First Church of Christ, Scientist Of
Fargo, was attended by a large audi
ence, which was deeply interested in
the words of the forceful n clear
speaker.
Mr.. Rathborn was introduced by
John S. Watson. who said in part:
with the dawn of the twentieth
century two facts stood out In striking
prominence: That the aces achieve
ments in material development in the
preceding 100 years had greatly ex-
ceeded alI that, 1t had accomplished in
q like way during all of it's previously
recorded history, and secondly that
these achievements, monuments
though they were, had not abolished
the ills from which we suffer. With
the realization Of these facts came a
stirring of consciousness to higher
purposes. The awakening Is world
wide. In a deeper than ever be-
fore 1t is realized we are brothers
keeper. The idealism of the Nazarene
makes a more compelling appeal. The
to duty can be answered only
by a broader and deeper observance
of the golden rule, doing and thinking
for and of others as we would have
them do and think of and for us.
Christian Science has shown that
the promise of the Bible ma be made
practical now and here in better lives
and healthier bodies. 1t has challenged
the worlds attention by what 1t has
done and is doing. Its one u~nceasins
demand is for constant growth in
right thinking and right living"
Mr.. Rathvon's lecture follows in
full:
The intelligent study of any science
should proceed by the orderly use of its
textbooks. Its laws and its state
ments thus learned are to be proved in
the class room, in the laboratory, or in
the field, as the cas- may be.
Christian Science, universal in its
usefulness and in it's availability is
likewise to be learned from its text
book and then proved and demonstrat-
ed in all the various avenues n ac-
~tivities of every day life. wherever man
mingles with man or his interests
touch those of his fellows.
Besides the Bible.
Christian Science has but one text
book, Science and Health with Key to
the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.
1t is not a book to be quickly read or
hastily thumbed over as one would a
shallow novel. Nor is it to be ap-
preached with bias or prejudice If one
would share its riches; but its truths
may be proved and in turn impaired
by child or sage who turns it's leaves
with an open mind. Only the open
flower it is that catches the dew and
yields its honey to the bee.
Saint and sinner meet on common
ground. in the pages Of this remarka-
Bile box and though 1t starts all alike
at the bottom of the ladder it always
VsHA- - .nI 49, I~.nA 14-ra Frf-~A
and again it's covers have been rudely
torn open by unfriendly hands in
search of phrases to wrench from their
context and with which to smite men
of straw, yet neither force nor deceit,
the blundering Of the bear or the cum
ming of the fox can avail to divert or
suppress its tidings of comfort and Joy.
1t has been asserted that Christian
Scientists place their textbook above
the Bible as the guide to righteousness.
No one can honestly make this afiega-
ton who has read the book carefuliy,
for on page 497 of Science and Health
are printed these words, the first OF a
series of tenets Of our religion:
las auherents of Truth we take the
inspired Word Of the Bible as our suf-
foient, guide to eternal Life"
What more emphatic and explicit
negation of such a charge could be de-
manded?
The truths of Christian Science do
not originate in the book Science and
Health, They find expression there
but their origin is in God. They have
always existed and will forever exist.
What effect. then. 1t may be asked,
does the study of this book have upon
those who have previously been Bible
students? Does it supplant the Bible
Aa IL 1l-14Hn ttn4a , Ii
the Book Of books less precious to them
than before2 The answer is, No" On
the other hand Science and Health
harmoniges many seeming ~1ncongrui-
ties in the Bible which have long per-
picked layman and t~heologian; tt ex-
plains apparent contradictions; 1t dis
closes unexpected riches; 1t gives new
significance to favorite passages, and
brings neglected ones into
The study and application of its
teachings by those who have had little
or no familiarity with he Scriptures
has made them Bible students and BIZ
BILE lovers. The one time atheist, the
scoffer and the biasphemer are finding
the Gospel a treasure house OF Joy and
consolation whose untrfed doors had
been barred against them until un-
locked by the Key forged by the hands
of a gentle woman who loved all man
kind. No other book in modern times
has made so many Bible readers.
The text book of Christian Science
was given to the world not to exploit
q theory. but to relate a discovery:
not to upset religions, but to establish
salvation; not to confound nateria
medica. but to. simplify healing; not to
condemn the sinner, but to turn him
away from his wickedness, that he
might live,
IL comes bringing liberty, not bond
age; federation, not bigotry; 1t tells
little of hell, but much of God and love
From cover to cover 1t contains not
one threat; not one word of defama
ton, detraction or villification of any
mans medicine or any mans religion
Its pages TEEN with love for God and
man.
No man can read 1T with an opeH
heart. and not be a better man for the
reading; no fsorrowing one need miss its
message OF comfort, none tortured by
pain or enfeebied by disease need close
1T in despair. The simple may gather
from it wisdom; the wise may gain
from it simplicity.
1t was written in solitude By
oma whose spiritual hearing was
acute enough to catch the words thai
God has been speaking aloud to dull
cared mankind yer since time began
The message that rang In her ears was
not for her alone, but for all her fei-
low men. living and to live, and she
could no more smother 1t into silence
than the trees can knot their cage
leaves when they have the message OF
spring to unfold.
Emerson a v In his essay on Char
acter," There was a time when Chris.
tianity existed In one child" and 1t car
be likewise said that there was a time
when Christian Science existed in one