The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-24
\ LECTURE
Christian Science
By William r. Rathvon, C. S. B.
Member OF the Board of Lectureship OF
The First Church of Christ. Scien
fist, of Boston, Mass.

Christian Science has but one text.
book. Science and Health with Key 10
the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
1t lis not book TO be quickly read or
hastily thunbed over one would a
shallow novel. Nor is II To be approach
cd with bias or prejudice ii one would
share its riches: but it's 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 il is
that catches the dew and yields its
honey TO the bee
1t has been asserted that Christian
Scientists place their text book above
the Bible as the guide TO righteousness
No one can honestly make this ailega-
tion who has read the book carefully
for on page 497 of Science and Health
arc printed these words. the first OF
series of tenets of our religion:
AS adherents OF Truth we take the
inspired Word OF tho Bible as our suf-
hcicnt guide TO eternal Life"
What more emphatic and explicit ne
cation OF such charge could be de-
handed?
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 al
ways existed and will forever exist
What effect. then, it may be asked, does
the study OF this book have upon those
who have previously been Bible stu
dents? Does il supplant the Bible In
their reverence and admiration? Is
the Book OF books less precious to
them than before? The answer is. No
on the other hand Science and Health
harmoniZes many seeming incongrui-
ties in the Bible which have long per-
picked layman and theologian: il ex-
plains apparent contradictions: IL dis
closes unexpected riches; il gives new
Significance 10 favorite passages, and
brings neglected ones into favor.
The study and application of its
teachings by those who have had little
or 40 familiarity with the Scriptures
has made them Bible students and Bible
lovers. The one time atheist, the scot
fer and the blaspheiner are finding the
Gospel treasure house Of JOY and
consolation whose Intricd doors had
been barred against them until unlock
ed by the Key forged by the hands of
a gentle woman WHO loved all man
kind No other book in modern times
has made no many Bible readers
II has fallen to my lot to have known
its author intimately in the last few
years of her earthly activity. One No
vember day in 1905. Mrs. Eddy called
me to her side from my home in Colo
RADIO to become a member of that his
toric household at Chestnut Hill which
she once publicly designated "the hap
picst group of Christian Scientists on
H.
daily counsels for moro tnan two years,
and from the time of my first half
hours heart heart talk with her
down to the afternoon, when standing
at her side saw her marvellous hands
shape her last written words. God is
my life" have never wavered in my
conviction that she has been the chosen
cvangel OF Truth intrusted with those
good tidings OF great JOY that have
been waiting mans readiness since
the days when Jesus trod the dusty
fields of Syria. and sailed the blue
waters OF Galilee.
I could by the hour recite to you in
cidents of Mrs. lIddy's wisdom and sag
acity, Of her courage and steadfastness.
OF her wit and humor, of her love for
little children and her delight in the
beautiful, Of the inexpressiblc charm
of her manner and the eloquence of
her voice, but IL is not OF these things
that she would have me speak.
1t was her desire--almost daily ex-
prcssed--that her followers should dis
regard her personality and address
their thought to tho things of God
which she has disclosed to them. She
would have us study her books and not
her personality. She would have us
know her by what she wrote and not
by how she looked. Years ago she in
structed her students to follow her
only as she followed Christ. and though
she was Il rare Leader she was an ideal
follower Of all that is truly good.
Mans comprehension of the pro-
blenIs of life is to be measured by his
understanding of God. He holds to con-
trary and widely divergent beliefs
! about God and hence his interpreta-
lions of life are conflicting and dis
cordant. If he comedies to God. the
primal cause of all being, illimitable
| power omnipotence = and illimitable
| ledge--Omniscien and in the
next breath attributes to Him the affiic-
lions and disasters Of human expert
! ence, he Is setting up god Of good
| and evil, of benevolence and cruelty.