THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEXTBOOK "SCIENCE AND HEALTH"

"In the author's work, RETROSPECTION AND INTROSPECTION, may be found
a biographical sketch, narrating experiences which led her, in the year 1866, to the
discovery of the system that she denominated Christian Science. As early as 1862
she began to write down and give to friends the results of her Scriptural study, for the
Bible was her sole teacher; but these compositions were crude, -- the first steps of a
child in the newly discovered world of Spirit.

"She also began to jot down her thoughts on the main subject, but these jottings were
only infantile lispings of Truth. A child drinks in the outward world through the eyes
and rejoices in the draught. He is as sure of the world's existence as he is of his own;
yet he cannot describe the world. He finds a few words, and with these he
stammeringly attempts to convey his feeling. Later, the tongue voices the more
definite thought, though still imperfectly.

"So was it with the author. As a certain poet says of himself, she 'lisped in numbers,
for the numbers came.' Certain essays written at that early date are still in circulation
among her first pupils; but they are feeble attempts to state the Principle and practice
of Christian healing, and are not complete nor satisfactory expositions of Truth.
To-day, though rejoicing in some progress, she still finds herself a willing disciple
at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ.

"Her first pamphlet on Christian Science was copyrighted in 1870; but it did not
appear in print until 1876, as she had learned that this Science must be demonstrated
by healing, before a work on the subject could be profitably studied. From 1867
until 1875, copies were, however, in friendly circulation.

"Before writing this work, SCIENCE AND HEALTH, she made copious notes
of Scriptural exposition, which have never been published. This was during the
years 1867 and 1868. These efforts show her comparative ignorance of the
stupendous Life-problem up to that time, and the degrees by which she came at
length to its solution; but she values them as a parent may treasure the memorials
of a child's growth, and she would not have them changed.

"The first edition of SCIENCE AND HEALTH was published in 1875. Various
books on mental healing have since been issued, most of them incorrect in theory and
filled with plagiarisms from SCIENCE AND HEALTH. They regard the human mind
as a healing agent, whereas this mind is not a factor in the Principle of Christian
Science. A few books, however, which are based on this book, are useful.

"The author has not compromised conscience to suit the general drift of thought, but
has bluntly and honestly given the text of Truth. She has made no effort to embellish,
elaborate, or treat in full detail so infinite a theme. By thousands of well-authenticated
cases of healing, she and her students have proved the worth of her teachings. These
cases for the most part have been abandoned as hopeless by regular medical
attendants. Few invalids will turn to God till all physical supports have failed,
because there is so little faith in His disposition and power to heal disease.

"The divine Principle of healing is proved in the personal experience of any sincere
seeker of Truth. Its purpose is good, and its practice is safer and more potent than that
of any other sanitary method. The unbiased Christian thought is soonest touched by
Truth, and convinced of it. Only those quarrel with her method who do not under-
stand her meaning, or discerning the truth, come not to the light lest their works be
reproved. No intellectual proficiency is requisite in the learner, but sound morals
are most desirable." (Preface viii-x)

"Until June 10, 1907, she had never read this book throughout consecutively in
order to elucidate her idealism.

 

"In the spirit of Christ's charity, -- as one who 'hopeth all things, endureth all things,'

and is joyful to bear consolation to the sorrowing and healing to the sick, -- she

commits these pages to honest seekers for Truth." (Preface xii)

"The author has endeavored to make this book the Aesculapius of mind as well as
of body, that it may give hope to the sick and heal them, although they know not how
the work is done. Truth has a healing effect, even when not fully understood." (152)

"This chapter [Recapitulation] is from the first edition of the author's class-book,
copyrighted in 1870. After much labor and increased spiritual understanding, she
revised that treatise for this volume in 1875. Absolute Christian Science pervades
its statements, to elucidate scientific metaphysics." (465)

"I have revised SCIENCE AND HEALTH only to give a clearer and fuller expression
of its original meaning. Spiritual ideas unfold as we advance. A human perception of
divine Science, however limited, must be correct in order to be Science and subject
to demonstration. A germ of infinite Truth, though least in the kingdom of heaven, is
the higher hope on earth, but it will be rejected and reviled until God prepares the soil
for the seed. That which when sown bears immortal fruit, enriches mankind only when
it is understood, -- hence the many readings given the Scriptures, and the requisite
revisions of SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES." (361)

"A Christian Scientist requires my work SCIENCE AND HEALTH for his textbook,
and so do all his students and patients. Why? First: Because it is the voice of Truth
to this age, and contains the full statement of Christian Science, or the Science of
healing through Mind. Second: Because it was the first book known, containing a
thorough statement of Christian Science. Hence it gave the first rules for demon-
strating this Science, and registered the revealed Truth uncontaminated by human
hypotheses. Other works, which have borrowed from this book without giving it
credit, have adulterated the Science. Third: Because this book has done more for
teacher and student, for healer and patient, than has been accomplished by other
books." (456-457)

"The writer's present feeble sense of Christian Science closes with St. John's
Revelation as recorded by the great apostle, for his vision is the acme of this Science
as the Bible reveals it." (577)

MRS. EDDY'S COMMENTS ON HANDLING PERSECUTION AND

CRITICISM TOWARDS CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

"During many years the author has been most grateful for merited rebuke. The wrong
lies in unmerited censure, -- in the falsehood which does no one any good." ( 9)

"When Christian Science and animal magnetism are both comprehended, as they will
be at no distant date, it will be seen why the author of this book has been so unjustly
persecuted and belied by wolves in sheep's clothing.

"Agassiz, the celebrated naturalist and author, has wisely said: 'Every great scientific
truth goes through three stages. First, people say it conflicts with the Bible. Next,
they say it has been discovered before. Lastly, they say they have always believed
it.'" (104)

"This book may be distorted by shallow criticism or by careless or malicious
students, and its ideas may be temporarily abused and misrepresented; but the

Science and truth therein will forever remain to be discerned and demonstrated." (110)

"Would existence without personal friends be to you a blank? Then the time will
come when you will be solitary, left without sympathy; but this seeming vacuum is
already filled with divine Love. When this hour of development comes, even if you
cling to a sense of personal joys, spiritual Love will force you to accept what best
promotes your growth. Friends will betray and enemies will slander, until the lesson
is sufficient to exalt you; for 'man's extremity is God's opportunity.' The author has
experienced the foregoing prophecy and its blessings. Thus He teaches mortals to
lay down their fleshliness and gain spirituality. This is done through self-abnegation.
Universal Love is the divine way in Christian Science." (266)

"Human resistance to divine Science weakens in proportion as mortals give up error
for Truth and the understanding of being supersedes mere belief. Until the author of
this book learned the vastness of Christian Science, the fixedness of mortal illusions,
and the human hatred of Truth, she cherished sanguine hopes that Christian Science
would meet with immediate and universal acceptance." (329-330)

"Students are advised by the author to be charitable and kind, not only towards
differing forms of religion and medicine, but to those who hold these differing
opinions. Let us be faithful in pointing the way through Christ, as we understand it,
but let us also be careful always to 'judge righteous judgment,' and never to condemn
rashly. 'Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.'
That is, Fear not that he will smite thee again for thy forbearance. If ecclesiastical
sects or medical schools turn a deaf ear to the teachings of Christian Science, then
part from these opponents as did Abraham when he parted from Lot, and say in thy
heart: 'Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my
herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.' Immortals, or God's children in
divine Science, are one harmonious family; but mortals, or the 'children of men' in
material sense, are discordant and ofttimes false brethren." (444)

"In founding a pathological system of Christianity, the author has labored to expound
divine Principle, and not to exalt personality. The weapons of bigotry, ignorance,
envy, fall before an honest heart. Adulterating Christian Science, makes it void.
Falsity has no foundation. 'The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth
not for the sheep.' Neither dishonesty nor ignorance ever founded, nor can they
overthrow a scientific system of ethics." (464)

"If Christian Scientists were teaching or practicing pharmacy or obstetrics according
to the common theories, no denunciations would follow them, even if their treatment
resulted in the death of a patient. The people are taught in such cases to say, Amen.
Shall I then be smitten for healing and for teaching Truth as the Principle of healing,
and for proving my word by my deed? . . . James said: 'Show me thy faith without
thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.'" (342-343)

"No impossible thing do I ask when urging the claims of Christian Science; but
because this teaching is in advance of the age, we should not deny our need of its
spiritual unfoldment." (371)

"I have never supposed the world would immediately witness the full fruitage of
Christian Science, or that sin, disease, and death would not be believed for an
indefinite time; but this I do aver, that, as a result of teaching Christian Science,
ethics and temperance have received an impulse, health has been restored, and
longevity increased. If such are the present fruits, what will the harvest be, when
this Science is more generally understood?" (348-349)

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