The Christian Science Textbooks
Every genuine student of Christian Science is grateful for the Christian Science textbooks. He is in no doubt as to what these textbooks are, for Article IV, Section 1, of the Church Manual by Mrs. Eddy explicitly says, under "Qualifications for Membership," "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." What a fund of spiritual knowledge these textbooks contain; what a wealth of metaphysical instruction their pages afford on the nature of real being—God and His creation! Never were students better equipped than are students of Christian Science for the study of their religion.
The Bible, one of the Christian Science textbooks, contains the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Of the sacred writings in use in his day Paul wrote to the Romans, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." These same Old Testament writings are with us still, translated by scholars who have brought out their spiritual meaning often in a wonderful way. And to these writings we can go in the spirit which Paul sought to inculcate when he wrote to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
The Bible not only contains the Old Testament Scriptures, known to Christ Jesus and the apostles, but also the New Testament, which contains the records of the Master's life—of many of his words and works—as well as the epistles of those instructed in his teaching, the Acts of the Apostles, and the book of Revelation. All of this precious literature is now in our hands as the open Bible. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." As these words show, our Leader did not underrate the Bible, rather did she regard it as containing the inspired Word of God, that Word obedience to which leads to life everlasting.
Science and Health, itself often referred to as the Christian Science textbook, elucidates the Science of Being, Christian Science. And every student of this inspired volume, because of its elucidation of Christian Science, has proved its value in the study of the Bible. As through prayerful study of Science and Health one grasps the truth concerning God and His universe, including man, he finds himself reading the Bible with enhanced power to appreciate the spiritual truth it contains, to distinguish between references to the human and the divine in its pages, to benefit more fully by its great moral lessons, and to see how the understanding of what is good and true destroys mortal error. The Bible becomes a comparatively plain book to read when the light of the truth which Christian Science reveals is allowed to play understandingly upon its pages. Science and Health makes the Bible a living volume to its students, a volume of the utmost practical value in all the affairs of life.
Nothing can take the place of Science and Health to the student in that it aids him as no other book can in discerning the truth concerning man. Clearly it shows him that man is the beloved son of God, the child of God's protecting love, sustained by His almighty power. Vividly it brings to light the immortal nature of his spiritual selfhood, because of the perfection of that selfhood; and as this revelation goes on he finds fear being destroyed and regeneration taking place.
Science and Health is an inspired book. In a letter, dated January 3, 1891, now in the Historical Files of The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy wrote: "My work for the world this last year will go on through all time. I feel that you all have in my book, Science and Health, the anchor of your being that will prove sure and steadfast in storm and shine. O! how thankful I am that God has enabled me to give to you, my dear children in Christ, a rich inheritance!" Often it is a great help to a patient struggling with a belief of disease or sin to be told how the author of Science and Health regarded her book, in order that he may read it with the knowledge that it is inspired. For as he does so he will be more expectant of hearing God's Word, of laying hold of the spiritual idea that will destroy the error which in belief is causing him to suffer.
In Mrs. Eddy's writings other than Science and Health, there is a wealth of practical instruction and admonition, the ripe fruit of years of self-immolation, prayer, and demonstration. The student cannot afford to dispense with any of these writings. Many times the practitioner of Christian Science finds it wise to point out to his patients suitable passages from them, as well as from Science and Health, bearing on their case, to help in bringing the necessary spiritual illumination required for healing.
Further, the student of Christian Science is especially well equipped today for intensive study, since he has access to the Concordances to both Science and Health and Mrs. Eddy's other writings. These Concordances are a never failing blessing, for by their use all that the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science has said on any subject in her published writings can readily be found and studied. Many Christian Scientists posses copies of these Concordances; but if not, they may usually be consulted by them in Christian Science Reading Rooms.
Students of Christian Science are greatly blessed by the ample provision which has been made for their spiritual progress along the way of eternal Life. Are they availing themselves of this provision as fully as they might?
Duncan Sinclair
