An item in last Thursday's issue, which commented on...

Albert E. Lombard, Committee on Publication for Southern California,—Los Angeles

Wilshire Tribune

An item in last Thursday's issue, which commented on Christian Science, calls for an explanation or correction; and I should appreciate an opportunity to say something to your readers along this line.

In 1875 Mary Baker Eddy published the first edition of Science and Health, and thus made available to mankind her great discovery of the divine laws underlying Christ Jesus' healing method. Subsequently Mrs. Eddy felt it desirable to revise the book to elucidate her discovery more clearly. However, the basic facts of Christian Science—that God is Spirit; that the real man is God's image or idea; and that matter, the opposite of Spirit, is a falsity—which were presented by Mrs. Eddy in the first edition of Science and Health, are to be found emphasized in subsequent editions. From the first Mrs. Eddy's teachings of Christian Science have been consistent with these foundational facts.

In more than one place Mrs. Eddy has indicated to her followers that they should study the latest editions of her writings (see "Miscellaneous Writings" 318:19-22; "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" 237:5). Manifestly, the student of any subject wishes to get his un derstanding from the latest edition of an authoritative textbook on the subject, and this is particularly true of Christian Science, for Mrs. Eddy says in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (P. 361): "I have revised Science and Health only to give a clearer and fuller expression of its original meaning. Spiritual ideas unfold as we advance."

The publication of the first edition of Science and Health was a momentous step towards the founding of the Christian Scientists church on a basis, and loyal Christian Scientists have deep regard for the first edition. However, obedient to Mrs. Eddy's sound counsel, they use the latest edition of Science and Health in their study. And the numerous instances where sickness, sin, sorrow, and lack have been healed through the daily study of the latest edition, in conjunction with the Bible, testify to the students' understanding of these books, and prove the books' correctness.

When providing By-Laws in the Church Manual for the Christian Science church, Mary Baker Eddy was inspired to take precautions regarding the teaching of Christian Science, so that instruction in this religion, as authorized by the church, can be given only by loyal members of the church who are properly prepared to serve as teachers of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy's wisdom in safeguarding the teaching of Christian Science in this way is manifest to the observer.

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