Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-03-18

and appreclatlVe audience. The speaker
was introduced by Mrs Anna Rogers
Fish, who said
"t'rends: To that which blesses, we
give thanks. There are, in the world
today, many thousands of rejoicing men
and women, who are daily giving CRATE.
full testimony of vast import. stating
that they have been lifted out of lives
of sefshness. miseI,, suffering and
sin:-have been healed of great physi.
cal ills, and saved from intense mental
torture have been repossessed of sight,
hearing and speech; have gained love
and peace and content, because. at some
time in their experience, there has come
to them a message which said. "Be-
hold now is the day of Salvation.'
"Christan Science is a religion not
merely of promise. but of fulfillment.
That religion, which says that all things
are possible to God-but that man
must wait until he enters a future life
for any bettering of his conditions. be-
comes a mere test of endurance; and all
men are martyrs whether they will OF
no.
"Christan Science proclaims the i'm.
mediate presence or the Kingdom of
God; and asserts that he who hungers
and thirsts after righteousness shall be
filled, now. To you who are desirous
of knowing something Alright concern
ing this good news which has brought
hope anew to those from whom all
hope has fled the one who is to ad.
dress you will speak as one having au-
thortv
"He is member of the Board of
Lcctureship of The Mother Church.
The First Church of Christ. Sci.
entists, in Boston, Massachusetts. 1t
gives me great pleasure to introduce the
speaker of the evening, Mr.. Charles l.
Orenstein, c. S. B., of Syracuse. New
York"
Mr.. Orcnstcin spoke as follows:
In the discussion of any subject it is
always desirable and helpful to start
with some point Of agreement. Not
withstanding all our diversified views
and varied experiences, let us see if it
is not possible for us to find some such
point One that very naturally presents
itself and upon which all would prob
ably agree, will undoubtedly be found
in the fact that we all desire to live.
But even if we live, there is not much
satisfaction in living without bodily
comfort or health; for health is abso
lutely essential to peace, freedom,
prosperity, and happiness
Were we to ask ourselves the ques-
tiOn, How may we live. be well. free.
prosperous, happy" there would be
nothing new about it, for the question
is as old as. human questioning. Meth
er has there been any dearth of answers
to this question. Mere theoretical ans.
wers are valueless, sowever. and this
has been shown in the experience of the
race by the fact that life still appears
uncertain and health, peace. freedom.
prosperity aud happiness have been at
tanned by comparatively few, and then
only in limited degree. Consequently.
the answer to our question would have
to be in system of education or under
standing that would give health.
May we not, then ask ourselves
whether any practical system of educa.
tion exists which teaches how we may
live, be well, free, prosperous, and hap.
Py? More than this, since the subject
we are to discuss is religion. may not
we further ask whether the religion
of the Bible, and more particularly the
religion of Jesus Christ, provides such
system and the correct interpretation
of it, the education capable of accomp.
fishing the desired resuits'
Bible Answers the Question.
The Christianity of Jesus Christ was
the vision of the secrs of Israel. 1t was
their hope, their prayer, their ideal and
aspiration for mankind 1t was expected
to usher in health, peace and plenty, the
reign of God and Of the Messiah. and
to protect against any other reign.
If we first turn to the old Bible, the
Bible of the Hebrews, accepted by all
Christians, we shall find plain, simple,
and direct answers to the questions un.
der consideration. The first thing need.
ful in quest of any kind is an ac-
quaintance with that which is sought
If the research is for life and its felici-
ties, the first thing needful is to learn
what life is. Now, have any of the
sciences through all the research of the
ages discovered what life iso Not one
of them. This being the case. the gen
orally accepted methods are seeking
they know not what. Is such a quest
likely to be successful2 With all respect
for the men who have been and are en-.
gagged in such research. and for their
devoted efforts, is not this an example
Of the blind leading the blind, and
will it not Of necessity continue ia
fail in its purposc'
The Bible, on the other hand speaks
upon this question definitely and with
great authority. Tn Deuteronomy we
read. "He (God) is thy life. " Could
ANYTHING be more definite or concise
and since God is our life. must not the
knowledge of life and all that it in.
cludes be the knowledge of God and Of
mans relationship to God7 The i'm
portance of this knowpdgc is also
shown by the statement, "Aequaint
now thyself with him (God) and be
at peace" and the Bible is full Of as
mrances that to know God and to be
obedient to Him means health. freedom
prosperity, happiness, and all that Is
desirable
That the Bible says these things al
will admit; that its teachings are 'rue
and binding. all relgioonsts should al
nit. But the Bible-and by this for the
present we are content TO mean the Old
Testament-does not sotisfy itself by
making mere assertions, 1t substan