CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1930, Page 7

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

MESSAGE APPEALS TO SYDNEY PEOPLE.

SYDNEY, September 18. Decent events •in Sydney would •suggest that while the heads of other Churches are arguing about ritual, Sunday sport, the re-marriage of divorcees, and the like, their congregations are boeoming Christian Scientists. For the past week or two Judge Samuel Greene, of Chicago, one of the world’s leaders in the Christian Science movement, has been delivering lectures in and around Sydney, and although he has engaged the largest halls it has been difficult to secure a seat. The other day he was billed to deliver a lecture to business people at I.IQ o’clock. By 12.15 o’clock more than 11000 people had crowded into the Grand Opera House in the city. Hundreds were turned away disappointed. Perhaps it is because of its message of cheery optimism that Christian Science is making such strides in Sydney. It is suggested that the people at the present time are prepared to clutch at any straw. • It is only a few years ago when Christian Science received its start in Sydney. A man and his wife became interested in it during their stay in America and they brought back with them the official text book. With, a few personal friends they held the first meetings in their suburban home. Then they took a small hall, but the congregation grew so rapidly that before long a very fine church was erected. To-day there are six Christian Science churches in the city and suburbs, and where the numbers are not great enough to form a church branch there are Christian Science societies.

Whatever may be the message of Christian Science—Judge Greene sums it up as a right understanding with God—it has made a tremendous appeal to Sydney people. Great enthusiasm has been displayed at the meetings that have been held by the American and one observer said that he was particularly struck by the cheery smiles on the 'faces of those who attended the lectures. The theme of all the lectures has been the need for out and out optimism, and Australia certainly needs plently of advice in. that connection.