Article November 1, 1913 Issue

Literature for the Beginner

SAMUEL GREENWOOD

The question is sometimes raised as to the propriety of placing the so-called "Christian Science novels" in the hands of inquirers, or of others unacquainted with the teachings of Christian Science, in preference to our own authorized literature. This course is said to be favored by some on the assumption that Christian Science will appear more pleasing or attractive if presented in this form, but these well-meaning students overlook the fact that the truth of spiritual being, as taught in Christian Science, is never pleasing or attractive to the sensuous thought and cannot be made so in any form. On the other hand, we do well to remember that to the awakening spiritual desire, honestly reaching after Truth, the teaching of Christian Science is always welcome.

It should be unquestionable that the best literature on Christian Science to place in the hands of any one is its text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and other works by the same author, since no other books are published which give the complete and correct statement of Christian Science. It should also be unquestionable that the best auxiliaries in making the public acquainted, in a measure, with the teachings of Christian Science, and with what it is accomplishing, are the publications of The Christian Science Publishing Society. No other writings than the above can rightly be considered authoritative on Christian Science, unless it be the lectures and other work rendered in an official capacity by accredited representatives of the cause.

Under apparently adverse and unfriendly conditions Mrs. Eddy established the cause on an enduring basis and brought the movement to its present efficiency and usefulness with no other literature than the Bible, her own writings, and the publications which she authorized. As stated in the Preface to Science and Health (p. x), she made no effort "to suit the general drift of thought" but "bluntly and honestly" gave to the world "the text of Truth." If, then, from the beginning of her work, and throughout her personal association with and supervision of the movement, our Leader found it unnecessary to clothe the statements of Truth in a garb thought to be particularly attractive to human taste, why should we at the present day think to make Christian Science more acceptable and inviting by departure from her methods, so abundantly proved to be safe and successful? It is the demonstrable knowledge of the truth, not entertainment, which is needed, and for which mankind are asking. Those who are willing to receive the message of Christian Science will accept it quite as readily when presented in its purity, as when it is associated with a mass of unrelated matter.

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