Mr. Chairman and Members of the Present Day Club:— This occurrence to-night is a repetition of Biblical scenes. Your desire to discuss Christian Science is in accord with the spirit of the Athenians of old who would know from the Apostle Paul of the doctrine of Jesus and the resurrection—to them a strange teaching, something new. And as on another occasion Paul thanked King Agrippa for the opportunity of defending the Christian religion, so we are grateful to this honored body to be your guest, with the privilege of telling you, in the brief time allotted us, something of what Christian Science is and what it is doing.
We speak not from a theoretical standpoint, but from the depths of experience. Some eleven or twelve years ago I, myself, stood in the valley of the shadow of death. Through hard study for the Christian ministry the doctors stated that I had overtaxed my brain. At this time I was not aware that there was such a teaching as Christian Science. I placed myself under the care of both allopathic and homœopathic physicians, and they were exceptionally kind to me. I am confident they did all in their power to heal me, and for their labor of love in my behalf, I shall ever be grateful, but I grew worse. My condition became so alarming to my parents that they did not think I could live many days. It was in this dark hour when material dependencies had failed that I cried out to God for help. I realize that my prayer was answered in Christian Science being brought to me, for through its beneficent influence I was healed, and stand before you the picture of health. While the physical healing in my case was great, I wish to assure you that it is the smallest part of the work in Christian Science. The study of Christian Science literature illumined the Scriptures, gave me a better understanding of God's word, drew me nearer to Christ, and as the natural result of a more spiritual understanding of the Bible, I have increased confidence in its promises.
The rapidity with which the Christian Science movement is spreading—ten thousand Christian Scientists in 1890, and almost a million in January, 1901; the fact that many ministers, physicians, surgeons, merchants, and men of large interests in all walks of business, lawyers, editors, teachers, and reformers, have become Christian Scientists,—this alone is enough to appeal to the Athenian of to-day as to the cause.
