Editorial September 16, 1922 Issue

"His only textbooks"

Ella W. Hoag

In Article IV, Section 1, of our Church Manual, in speaking of the necessary qualifications for one to become a member of The Mother Church, we find the following: "The Bible, together with Science and Health and other works by Mrs. Eddy, shall be his only textbooks for self-instruction in Christian Science, and for teaching and practising metaphysical healing." Herein our beloved Leader not only safeguarded the letter of Christian Science for all time, but she also marked out so plain a path that no one need ever be deceived for a moment as to the only books to which he is to go for absolute Christian Science. "His only textbooks"! How could anything be more simply or more clearly stated?

Here is a path so plainly indicated that no Christian Scientist can hesitate for a moment as to what books he is to use for study and self-instruction, or as to what books are to be used in teaching and practicing Christian Science. Neither need he ever be disturbed for a moment as to the preservation of correct teaching through all ages, present and to come. No Christian Scientist doubts for an instant that Mrs. Eddy was directly inspired of God; and it takes only a very little thought to recognize the marvelous wisdom and intelligence expressed in this provision for the protection of the teaching God gave her.

"His only textbooks"! There it stands and there it will continue to stand, until there shall be "time no longer." No self-instruction, no teaching, no practicing can be properly done except by those who take for their only textbooks "the Bible, together with Science and Health and other works by Mrs. Eddy." There is the law. There is the command, set forth in unalterable language. There it is placed where it can never be questioned or changed an iota. There it stands, protected by every other law in the Manual. Every Christian Scientist who has united with The Mother Church in the past, or will unite with it in the future, has made or will make the most solemn promise possible to obey this law. He has promised to take as "his only textbooks" "the Bible, together with Science and Health and other works by Mrs. Eddy."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Among the Churches