St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-10-14
LECTURE ON CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
William RhvOn of Denver CO Addressed People Of ST. Johns
bury and Surrounding Towns Thursday Evening

at Pythian hall last Thursday even
ing to hear William R. Rathvon OF
Denver, Col, deliver a free lecture
on the subject of Christian Science.
There was quite a large representa-
ton from outside the town, automo-
bile parties coming from Lyndonville,
Littleton and other places. Mr..
Rathvon was introduced by Ellis
Moore and held the close attention
of his audience. His address IN
full follows.
A Christian Science lecture, like
everything connected with Christian
Science, is constructive. 1t is designed
to build up, not only to pull down. 1t
takes nothing away from anyone
without giving something better In
its place. So / have not come to at
tack or to ridicule any ones religious
beliefs, or any ones system OF med1-
cine.
Nor is it a part of my mission to
point out to you in detail the dangers
that Turk in certain mental systems
that are sometimes claSSed with
Christian Science but which are no
more related to it. than darkness is
related to light, such as will-poWer,
|
ion, thought transference, telepathy,
spiritualism, or any of the cults or
schools that rely wholly or in part
upon the influence of one human
mind or human will upon another.
Christian Science acknowledges and
admits the existence of but one Mind
and this Mind is God, the source of
all good in man and the universe.
A Christian Science lecture, how
ever, is not to be regarded as com
plete exposition of the whole of Chris
tian Science. The limited time as
signed prevents consideration OF
many of the essentials to right living
that have made it the greatest pro-
tective, restorative, and reformative
agency of modern times.
But all these things, and more,
are fully set forth in its text book
Science and Health, with Key to
the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy,
and this book / would commend to
Ievery one who would learn for him
self at first hand the teachings and
practices of Christian Science. A
copy may be obtained through any
Christian Scientist. How cOmpre-
hensive and inclusive is that book
may be seen when 1 name to you the
headings of some of it's chapters, as
Eucharist; Marriage; Christian Sci
lence versus Spiritualism; Animal
Magnetism Unmasked; Science, The
EoIogy, Medicine; Physiology; Foot
steps of Truth; Creation; Science of
Being; Some Objections Answered;
Christian Science Practice; Teaching
Christian Science: Recapitulation.
All of Christian Science is contain
ed in that book, and whatever l may
here give of some of its teachings is
but a small part of what is far better
expressed in the book itself.
Since the day it was first offered to
a waiting world, it has been quietly
ministering to the spiritual and phys
ical needs of those who read it with
an open mind.
No one who believes in the truth,
inspiration, and authenticity of the
Holy Scriptures can consistently OPP
pose the doctrines of Christian Sci
lence, for from beginning to end they
are founded upon the Bible of our
forefathers.
In referring to her authorship of
the text book, Science and Health,
Mrs. Eddy has said the Bible was
her only guide and authority. That
she adhered to it closely is shown by
the fact that a study of Science and
No other religious denomination
comprises so large a proportion of
Bible students.
To the Christian Scientist, the BIZ
BILE is no longer a fetch but friend;
no longer mere household
ornament but a personal necessity.
No longer does it speak to him
with a voice of reproach but with
welcome words of helpfulness.
1t is perhaps unnecessary to in
form this audience that the discover
er and founder of Christian Science
was a woman, Mary Baker Eddy.
You may know, too, that for years
she labored alone and unassisted-
but always undaunted and undis-
mayed-offering to an unwilling
and unbelieving world that which
she knew from the first would ulti-
mately bless all mankind, healing
the sick, and reforming the sinner.
You may know, too, that at the
time of life when most women are
! enjoying the well-earned fruitage of
earlier years, the blessings of home, |
family and friends, sne was deprived
of them. Instead, she endured the
jeers of the incredulous, the sting of
cheap wit, and the anathemas of the |
| bigoted.
You may know, TOO, JnaL from the
ranks of these same skept1cal, scof-
| fing, and intolerant men and wom-
en- the healing touch of Divine Love |
later drew a great throng of those
who today devoutly and gratefully i
acknowledge fealty to the divine Sci
ence which they once rejected, for |
Christian Science has always loving
ly appealed to every phase OF sin
ming and suffering humanity. 1t |
knows no distinctions, it makes no !
exclusions. Mrs. Eddy has written /
into her book, Science and Health, |
these comforting words of truth,
Love is impartial and universal in
its adaptation and bestowals." Up.
1929
Few of the worlds leaders of I
great movements, spiritual or ma
terial, have lived to see the consum-
nation of their worthy ambitions,
their greatness acknowledged, their
frI.. L -a6 ID