A typical account of one of A.A.’s lectures. Fresno Republican Weekly, 5 May 1899, p. 1
NO DRUGS USED – Christian Science Explained
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In a Lecture by Dr. Sulcer Last Night
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Under the Auspices of the First Church of Christ (Scientist)
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From Friday’s Daily. Byline: W. A. Fitzgerald
Barton opera house was quite comfortably filled last night by people who had assembled to hear Dr. A. A. Sulcer of Riverside, a member of the international board of lecture, speak on Christian Science. Among the auditors were quite a number of well-known people. The lecture was given under the auspices of the First church of Christ (Scientist) of Fresno.
The platform was decorated with bouquets and basket of roses. On the stage with the speaker were Mrs. A. J. Hodge, the First Reader, and E. J. Harrah, the Second Reader of the church. Unlike other denominations, the Christian Scientists do not have pastors, or rather not human shepherds. Their pastor is the Bible, Science and Health, while the exponents are termed readers – first and second.
Mr. Harrah introduced the speaker as follows:
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here tonight to hear some of the teachings of Christian Science, expounded by one who is authorized to speak on this subjects. I say some of the teachings, because the subject of itself is infinite and no one could possibly do more than touch the hem of the garment of truth in one evening or in many evenings. There has been for about four years a small band of Christian Scientists in Fresno, following the teachings of the great yet meek and lowly Nazarene to the best of their understanding working strong in the face of all opposition, knowing full well that the truth must and will prevail and he whose right it is shall reign. Owning to the general misunderstanding of the subject in hand we thought it best at this time to give a lecture, unknowing that when Christian Science is understood it will not be opposed.”
Mr. Harrah then introduced the speaker of the evening. He stated that he would address himself particularly to non-believers in Christian Science, and proceeded to prove that things “are not what they seem” – in other words that the senses are not safe sources of knowledge. He urged his auditors not to hazily condemn the statement that there may be unrealities which are still believed to be real and truths heretofore regarded as delusions.
“Christian Science”, he continued, “like other radically advanced and unfamiliar teachings, has been met with hostility opposition on every hand. It has been assailed by grossest misrepresentations , bitterest satire and most merciless ridicule. Those who have practiced it has been brutally maligned, branded as criminals and persecuted in the courts. Yet the reason for the enmity ill not stand analysis. The real reason lies in the tendency of human nature to district that with which it is not familiar, especially in religion and in the treatment of the sick.”
The speaker “roasted” the regular physicians and declared that drugs were useless and only resorted to because to the world’s blinded sense there seems to be nothing better, and he doubted if doctors could by the mere administration of drugs “cure anybody of anything”.
The basic principle in Christian Science, he said, is the doctrine that the mind is potency; that it can cure of breed disease; that immorality or wrong thought of any kind is a breeder of disease and that the highest conditions can be attained only as we free ourselves from impurity and error.
Assuming that his hearers were believers in Christ, the speaker considered the subjects fro a scriptural point of view. He contented that the cures by Christ as recorded in the Bible were accomplished by the same methods used by the modern Christian Scientist. He also denied that Christian Science was the successful but unwitting application of hypnotism.
In conclusion, Dr. Sulcer said:
“Is Christian Science a fad, is it a new-fangled teaching, born of fanaticism of true true Christian faith and life? Are its adherents blind enthusiasts? e are told that there are 140 different religions denominations in the United States, and that for the whole body of Christians the number wold be materially increased. all these are praying ‘thy Kingdom Come’ . All are losing their faith upon eh word of God, but differing enough in the interpretations of that word to constitute wildly differing lines of faith and action. Christian Science also vindicates its teaching and practice by an appeal to the word of God, though it seeks not to build upon the ruins of any other denomination, o reap where it has not sown, or to gather where it has not winnowed. But its mission is among men. It has a message of love to the world and in Christ’s name proclaims it.”
