In the olden time kings sent out heralds to apprise the cities they wished to honor of their approach, and seldom did earthly monarch fail to receive a royal welcome from subjects, inspired either by love or fear. But what has been the reception usually accorded on earth to the messengers of the Most High? If we seek the answer to this inquiry in the Scriptures we shall find the statement made by the Great Master that some were beaten, others killed, and all rejected. And yet, beholding all this, he said to the disciples sent out to declare the ever-presence of the Kingdom of God, "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward." So in the strength of his promise I stand here to-night as the ambassador of truth, to ask the privilege of giving to the weary and thirsty ones in this audience a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple.
When Christian Science first came to my notice it was with the startling statement that these people claimed to heal the sick by the same method which Christ and his apostles practised. Although the words were spoken in scorn they kindled anew my faltering hope and faith with the ardent desire that they might be found true—for who is there that has known sorrow or sickness but has longed for such ministration as they were wont to bestow?
In looking over the audiences which assemble at these lectures one cannot help being impressed by the thought that more than mere curiosity is needed to bring together so many people, representing the widest area of religious belief, to investigate the claims of Christian Science. None can deny the world's great need of something more definite than the teachings of either past or present; for human want and woe are but ill-concealed, or, at best, bravely endured. The Delphic Oracle gave a wise admonition to the seeker after truth when it said, "Know thyself," and it has not been unheeded, for mortals have been looking into every conceivable mirror in order to discover something of their origin and destiny. They have taken the model of clay and subjected it to the severest scrutiny; have worked with scalpel and microscope; but to this hour no trace of the soul has been found therein; and from this we conclude that one must look higher to find immortal being and learn what man is.
