Editorial June 20, 1914 Issue

Our Text-books

Archibald McLellan

In these days of much writing about Christian Science, and much seeking of opinion one from another, it is both refreshing and helpful to turn to what our Leader wrote to the church in Washington a number of years ago, as reproduced on page 203 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany." In this letter she made it clear that her teachings are fixed and determined, and in saying, "I have nothing new to communicate; all is in your textbooks. Pray aright and demonstrate your prayer; sing in faith," she gave a gentle but firm rebuke, not to the church to which she was writing, but to that class of Christian Scientists who, like the ancient Athenians, are ever looking for some new thing. In this saying she gave an example of the greatest kindness that one Christian Scientist can render another who is perplexed or in doubt about the course he should pursue, namely, to turn him to the study of the Bible and Science and Health, never forgetting that divine guidance is ever available for all. James says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." It is also well to remember his further admonition, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."

In these books is to be found the whole of Christian Science, the healing truth which Jesus preached and demonstrated, and which Mrs. Eddy has shown to be sufficient for all human needs,—not only for spiritual growth, but also for the healing of the sick and the reformation of the sinful. This is the experience of every Christian Scientist who has fought the good fight and "kept the faith," and it will continue to be the experience of all who unselfishly follow in the footsteps of the one who proved her fitness to instruct and to lead in the restoration of primitive Christianity. These writings, more than any other teachings, bring to all who diligently study them a higher concept of God, a more exalted sense of His loving-kindness, and a greater certainty that He is the guiding and governing Principle of all true being.

Every close student of Mrs. Eddy's writings cannot fail to understand that she has fully stated an exact and beneficent Science of which God is the center and circumference, and successfully to demonstrate this Science requires the most exact knowledge of its Principle. This can be obtained only from its text-books. It is useless to depend on personal opinion, and the many so-called "helps" to Christian Science which are offered as easy steps to the acquirement of a demonstrable knowledge of its practice, and we but waste time in assuming that there is a royal road to this knowledge. The sooner we realize this, and apply ourselves to the study of only such writings as Mrs. Eddy has prepared for our instruction, the sooner will we make the progress which is necessary to advance the coming of the kingdom in our own experience, and fit us for the greater work of helping others to this end.

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