Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-04-29
WILLIS I. CROSS
TALKS At ELD0N
MEMBER OF BOARD OF LECTURE
SHIP OF FIRST CHURCH OF
CHRISTI SCIENTIST.

Eldon, April 2S.-A free lecture on
Christian Science was delivered here
Thursday evening in the Moose hall by
Willis F. Gross. c. 8. b.. member Of the
board of lectureship Of the mother
church, The First Church Of Christ.
Scientist, Boston, Mass. Mr.. Gross was
introduced as follows, by Miss Audrey
Friend first reader: 49,
Friends: We have come here to lis
ten to Christian Science lecture and
it is indeed a privilege for us all.
Christian Science is growing reli-
gion. 1t is growing here because it is
growing everywhere and it Is growing
because it proves it's words by Its
works, thereby showing that it is in
deed that truth which makes man free.
Jesus said II am come that they
might have life and that they might
have it more abundantly," and in
what that abundant life Is for by it's
principle men are being healed thor
oughly and permanently. not only OF
sin but Of sickness, sorrow and want.
The underlying principle of Christian
Science Is so pure and simple that 1t is
common for young children to give
demonstrations Of it's power by healing
diseases for themselves and others; yet
this same principle is so powerful and
enduring that when correctly applied
and correctly received it absolutely
never fails. -
There are those who, as yet, do not
understand Christian Science, therefore
our revered leader. Mary Baker Eddy,
was led to have board OF lectureship
established for the purpose Of explain
ing what Christian Science really Is.
This board is maintained by the moth
er church, The First Church of Christ,
Scientist, In Boston, Mass. and con-
sists OF members from several cities in
the United States and England who,
from long experience in Christian
Science work, are very capable OF ade-
quately explaining the subject
We have with us this evening a
member Of this board, Willis F. Gross.
c. s. B., Of Boston, Mass. who will
kindly address us at this time:
Tho Address Of Mr.. Gross
The one who understood best the Is
sues Of life. and knew how to deal with
it's perplexing problems In such a man
ner as would establish harmony on an
enduring basis. taught that all good is
gained through obedience to divine law.
Seek We first the kingdom Of God and
his righteousness, and all these things
shall be added unto you." was the defin-
lite and fundamental teaching he left
for all ages. -
II mortals could comprehend even a
1.-THE Of what Ia included in this far
reaching statement Of the great teacher
they would perceive that freedom
health, harmony-all good is included
in the things that are to be added unto
those who seek first the kingdom of
God. 49, ..., ra... -..-E.,....
II human experience Is not rightly In
terpreted, mortals would make God re-
sponsible for many things that are in
no sense In accord with the divine Will
It is believed by many that sickness
and suffering are sent of God or at least
divinely permitted. Accidents. adversi
ties, calamities, various misfortunes,
are sometimes accepted as dispense
lions Of providence. sA
II one believes that his sickness is to
serve divine purpose, or has come
upon him because the hand Of omnipo-
tence has been withheld he feels there
could be little hope Of reeaining his
II he cannot find help in the use Of ma
terial remedies his case Is hopeless.
1t must be apparent to the one who
has carefully studied Jesus teachings
IN connection with his works, which
alone can rightly interpret his doctrine,
that the worlds most successful healer
did not regard sickness as being In any
sense in harmany with Gods will or
plan. If ones Interpretation Of life
were based entirely on what Jesus said
and did, he could hardly reach the con-
clusion that in harmony, of any kind or
character, Is the work Of God or has
the divine sanction.
Jesus made no distinction between
the healing OF sickness and the destruc-
ton Of sin. II the one who came to
teach mortals the way to harmony re-
tected the prevailing belief regarding
disease, would it not be well for all
men to accept his Interpretation Of di-
vine law. especially when by so doing
it becomes possible to experience the
good results of the best healing system
the world has ever known?
1gnoranc Of God and mans relation
to him. is responsible for the human
misconceptions Of the divine will and
purpose. On every hand there is evidence
Of a reaching out for something more
spiritual and at the same time more
practical, than has hitherto engaged the
attention Of thinking multitudes. Men
are no longer satisfied with that belief
in God which gives merely a reasonable
assurance of heaven beyond the
grave, they desire to know God as a