St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-09-10
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Lecture at The Colonial by Virgil o.
Strickler Thursday Evening

OAAANA04 Inn OCAA1ANOA
Lecture at The Colonial by Virgil o.
StricEler Thursday Evening
A good sized audience gathered at
The Colonial last Thursday evening
to listen to a lecture on Christian
Science by Virgil o. Stricken, G.. S.,
a member of the board of lectureship
of The Mother Church, The First
Church of Christ, Scientist, in Bos-
ton. The speaker was introduced
] by Charles E. Peck and an abstract
of what he said follows:
However much people may differ
in their attitude towards Christian
| Srience every one will admit that
it has done many good things. En-
tirely apart from the question of
| physical healing, it is generally con-
ceded that it produces a happy and
contented mentality, that it des-
troys fear, and makes people loving
and kind.
When we add to this the fact that
it has healed many sick people who
had previously been unable to find
relief under other systems, that it
| has cured many of the drug habit,
and of the liquor habit, has restored
harmony in many homes that we're
discordant, and has given hope and
courage to people who were dis
couraged, it is easy to understand
| why Christian Science has spread
from one end of the earth to the
other with such wonderful rapidity.
Why should any one not wish to
! believe that God heals the sick? Is
, it not a thing to be desired? and is
it not something for which human
ity has been praying through the
centuries? Now that it is here why
should any one not wish to accept
| it? Let each one ask himself that
question.
AS time goes on humanity exhibits
an ever decreasing interest in theOr-
les about God that are not helpful
and practical. This tendency has
been deplored by the churches as in
dicating a loss of interest in religion,
but it isnotso. 1t indicates a tremen-
dous desire for religion that is prac-
teal.
This Is An Age Of Practical Things
The demand for practical things
also demands a religion that is prac-
teal People are no longer satisfied
with theories about what is to hap
pen in another world. What is de-
sired is a demonstrate religion that
saves from present troubles
sickness, and sin, and failure, and
unhappiness, and the countless ills
of everyday human experience
and if there is a religion that will
do that, it can be safely trusted for
the future.
Christian Science is essentially a
practical religion. 1t has been call
ed applied Christianity. There is
the same difference between Chris
tian Science and other systems that
there is between mathematics and
engineering Mathematics does much
good in many ways, but it is not I'M
til the rules of mathematics are ap-
piled to human affairs that we see
brought out great bridges, railroads,
subways, lofty buildings, and other
things that are of public utility, and
which contribute to the well-being
of mankind. So it is only when the
teachings of Jesus are understood
and applied to human affairs that we
see the sick healed, sinners liberated
from bondage to evil habits, and
other practical things done for the
betterment of humanity.
When viewed from any point Mrs.
Eddy stands as one of the great char
acters of this age. She has made
a discovery in the realm of meta
physics that eXerts and must con-
tinue to exert a more far-reaching
influence upon humanity than any
discovery ever made in the physical
realm. She has founded a religion
that has restored to mankind the
spiritual healing as practised by the
primitive church. Within the brief
space of one generation her teach
ings have so impressed themselves
upon the public that it would be
difficult to find a place where there
is not Christian Science church or
society, or at least where there are
not some Christian Scientists.
Sooner or later every person will
adopt that system of religious teach
ing which brings the largest meas
ure of help and hope and consola-
ton, and so long as any remain who
are suffering from unhappiness or
sickness or sin, Christian Science
will offer to them a sure means of
finding divine help.