When Moses was instructed to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, he failed to respond to the prompting of divine wisdom in one particular: he declined to be his own spokesman. Apparently, Moses found it difficult to believe that even the omnipotent and omniscient Mind, which prepared him for his great work, could liberate him from the sense of personal limitation indicated in his utterance: "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Aaron became Moses' spokesman. But when called upon to proclaim to the people the divine messages which Moses received, Aaron did not always value those messages at their true worth; nor did he understand them so well as did Moses. It is significant that Moses ascended alone to the summit of mount Horeb to receive his most important message for humanity; and there, upon tables of stone, were placed the Ten Commandments in language which has come down to this day.

When Mary Baker Eddy was prepared by divine Mind for the discovery of the Science of Christianity, she also was equipped to express divine Science in the right way, in language which can be understood by this age. Mrs. Eddy's preparation in this regard was not sudden. Prior to her great discovery, she was a diligent and accurate student of English and a writer of repute. In order to present her teaching properly to the world, it was most necessary that she express her meaning with scientific accuracy. Moreover, she had to cover the ground with an adequacy sufficient to make plain every point which the student must grasp in order to gain, step by step, a perfect understanding of that Science which Jesus taught and lived, and which is destined to redeem the whole human race. This achievement Mrs. Eddy accomplished. Consequently, she was able to proclaim with certainty in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 174): "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised."

The farther a student progresses in gaining a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science, and the more he ponders the language of Science and Health, the more he is impressed by the clearness, beauty, aptness, and adequacy with which the pure theology of Christ Jesus is set forth in this book. It is exceedingly important for every student of Christian Science to see clearly on this point. If a student allows error to persuade him that there is something defective about the language of the textbook, then that student is permitting error to place a temporary barrier between him and a right apprehension of the true theology which alone can liberate him from all discord and usher him into the enjoyment of all good.

Several years ago, the writer met a young man who was kept from taking an active part in the Christian Science movement by the fact that he regarded the language of Science and Health as inferior, in certain respects, to the language used by some of the world's great writers and moral teachers. This young man had seen many remarkable proofs of the healing and redemptive power of Christian Science. He perceived to a considerable extent that Mrs. Eddy was God's inspired messenger to this age. Yet, by his attitude toward the language of the Christian Science textbook, he was prevented from fully availing himself of his opportunities for growth in Christian Science. Then this young man had an experience which opened his eyes. He was awakened to the fact that he had been reading into Science and Health meanings never intended by Mrs. Eddy. He saw also that he had quarreled with the figures of speech used by her in a certain paragraph, because he had failed to grasp the fact that each one of these figures of speech was taken from the Scriptures, related to some important incident recorded there, and consequently contained a wealth of significance for every thoughtful student of the Bible, the book to which Science and Health is the "Key." Thereupon, this young man's inclination to quarrel with the language of Science and Health vanished; and he soon came to feel for it only a sense of deep appreciation and approval. He became eager to increase his understanding and usefulness; and the months which followed were for him months of marked activity, of growth, and of joy.

If a person should put upon a passage in any book a construction which the author never intended that passage to bear, it is obvious that so long as he remained in that mental state he could not analyze intelligently the English used by the author of the book. It would be necessary for him to ponder that passage until he discerned the meaning which the author meant it to convey. Then, and then only, would he be in a position to see whether or not the author had succeeded in expressing the meaning clearly and effectively. Experience shows that a great deal of the adverse criticism of the language of Science and health arises from failure on the part of some readers to put into practice this simple and obviously sensible and just rule of procedure.

Students of mathematics realize that their ability to solve problems which fall under a given rule furnishes the only satisfactory test as to how far they understand the rule. They likewise recognize that only by demonstrating his ability to solve any problem which falls under a certain rule, can a student prove that he has reached the mental attitude which enables him to judge intelligently concerning the skill evidenced by the author of the mathematical textbook in formulating that rule. This same test applies to Science and Health. Every rule set forth therein can be demonstrated when understood; and the student proves his understanding of each rule solely by his ability to solve the problems of life which fall under that rule. Students who have gained a demonstrable knowledge of any part of the Christian Science textbook find themselves filled with admiration for the author's skill in accurately and adequately setting forth the rules of divine Science.

Much might be written about the language of Science and Health. Nothing, however, can speak so eloquently for the quality of that language, as well as for the subject matter therein set forth, as the fact that constantly by the study of that book alone, or in conjunction with the Bible, the sick are healed, the sorrowing are comforted, the sinbound are liberated, and the despairing are inspired with a new and glorious hope. In an article entitled "The Christian Science Textbook," in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," Mrs. Eddy says on page 114, "It was not myself, but the divine power of Truth and Love, infinitely above me, which dictated 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.'" And commenting upon the leavening power of the contents of this wonderful book, she writes on the same page: "Is it too much to say that this book is leavening the whole lump of human thought? You can trace its teachings in each step of mental and spiritual progress, from pulpit and press, in religion and ethics, and find these progressive steps either written or indicated in the book. It has mounted thought on the swift and mighty chariot of divine Love, which to-day is circling the whole world."

Copyright, 1923, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.