The Monticellonian., 1916-06-08
ALecture on Chris
tian Science
BY Clarence A. Buskirk,
Member of the Board of Lectureship
of The Mother Church, The First
Church of Christ, Scientist,
Boston, Mass.

Mary Baker Eddy. the Founder of
the Christian Science movement, was
born near the city of Concord, New
Hampshire She proved herself to be
a profound and farseeing thinker, an
earnest humanitarian, a close student
of the Bible. noble Christian woman.
She has made new epoch in the his,
tory of religious thought. Like every
great moral and religious leader whom
the world has ever known, she mas
been misunderstood and misrepresent-
ed But the loftiness of her purposes
and the greatness and beauty of her
life have rendered all attacks upon
her vain and Intellectual; and her name
and memory are now in the sunlight
of an assured triumph. Her memory
is surrounded and defended by the
gratitude arising from the thoughts of
hundreds of thousands throughout the
earth. whose lives and homes-i1ke
my own, permit me to say-have been
blessed by her teachings. All her
writings are distinguished by their
high moral and religious atmosphere.
by their relentless logic and by their
inspiring honesty of utterance which
never falters nor swerves aside from
its straight path in order to eompro-
mise of propitiate.
Her blest reward the millions who are
won
To happier lives the work which she
hath done
Hath carved her name among the
earth's immortals,
Beloved Chief, whose work hath Just
begun!
It is less than 40 years ago that Mrs.
Eddy published to the world the first
edition of what is known as the Chris
tfan Science textbook The title IL
Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures This truly wonderful
book has been to the thirsting hearts
of great multitudes of human beings
like a benefeent rain after protract-
ed drought To study its pages in the
truth-seeking spirit, whether the read
er accepts or declines to accept its
teachings, is educational; for it is sure
TO broaden, to elevate and to purify
ings of Mrs Eddy set forth the entire
doctrine and practice of Christian
Science For Christian Science has
no hidden mysteries. 1t is needful to
study the Bible at the same time. what
ever your preconceived notions may
be in respect to the Bible.
In its brief history the Christian
Science movement has accomplished
a growth and exhibited vital energy
which have been source of joy and
gratitude to its adherents, a source
OF bewildcrment to its opponents, and
a source of admiring establishment to
all thinking people throughout the ci-
vilized world.
History shows that established In
situations and businesses have always
been opposed TO new institutions.
They do not like the risk of being dis
turbed or endangered The Christian
Science movement has had to con-
front conspicuous obstacles from this
source Besides, it has had no help
outside of itself No princes nor pc.
tentates nor conquering armies nave
assisted II, nor paternal legislation.
All its forces and activities have been
developed within itself. Nor has It
appealed to the fears or excitable emo
tons to gain followers. Its appeal is
made to its array of unimpeached ana
unimpeachable facts, and the sure
conclusions to be drawn therefrom: to
man highest reason and spiritual
discernment, and the confirmation
which is found in the pages of the b.
BILE. II is circumstance which not
infreuuently has been observed and
kindly commented on by those outside
of the movement that the lives and
homes of its adherents have been
made better and happier. and that
there is surely something in Chris
tian Science which makes for right
living and good citizenship. Are not
then its friends justified when they
say that the message and mission of
Christian Science are for the better,
ment OF mankind? What does It
mean that already throughout the
United States and our neighborng
Canadas not to mention England and
other countries. there are hundreds OF
thousands with their numbers rapid,
lv and steadfastly on the increase
who are gladly and gratefully declar-
ing. at every fit time and place, that
they are the benefieiaries OF its teach
ings and practice, morally. spiritually,
;,,a1 IN,
Is 1t not plain that these witnesses
and berefciaries have surely found in
Christian Science the open door to
vitallzing truths which have been at
work in leavening their thoughts and
lives? Is 1t not plain that they have
found some practical help in their
lives which they greatly prize? Some
thing which has surely lessened their
pains and sorrows and brought more
gladness and light into their homes?
The mission Of Christian Science has
but fairly begun. so short has been
the time: yet a great moral awaken
ing is going on throughout the world,
and higher incentives and ideals In
life, and more wholesome outlook
upon life and its duties and privileges
are discovered to have percolated ex-
tensively into many strata of human
kind, in an age which otherwise seem
ed to be greatly demoralized. or
course, there are no statistics or fig
ures in this connection; and therefore
] cannot claim that the beneficent in
fuences at work in the world are to