Article December 3, 1938 Issue

The Revelator of Christian Science

ALLENE E. THORNBURGH

The writings of Mary Baker Eddy make it clear that progressive understanding and demonstration of Christian Science cannot be attained without a right recognition of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and of her relation to the Cause which she established.

It was not the purpose of Mrs. Eddy to exalt herself in the opinion of the world. That she had no desire for adulation, and was not interested in the world's opinion of her personality, was evidenced in word and deed throughout her activities. Her one desire was to teach all mankind to follow the Christ in the demonstration of Truth. Indeed, she taught that "intensely contemplating personality impedes spiritual growth" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 308). She knew that looking to person for healing brings neither healing nor benefit, but rather hinders the work, which demands radical reliance upon God. And on the same page she wrote: "Whosoever looks to me personally for his health or holiness, mistakes. He that by reason of human love or hatred or any other cause clings to my material personality, greatly errs, stops his own progress, and loses the path to health, happiness, and heaven. The Scriptures and Christian Science reveal 'the way,' and personal revelators will take their proper place in history, but will not be deified." It was, then, the perpetuation of the truths of Christian Science and the "proper place" of the revelator, rather than her personality, with which Mrs. Eddy was concerned.

The great healing truths taught and demonstrated by the Master had been lost sight of for centuries, and it was the possibility of such a recurrence which impelled Mrs. Eddy to make her discovery secure from adulteration. She was divinely led to record in the Christian Science textbook a full statement of the truth of being. She ordained the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as the only preachers in all Christian Science churches, and gave permanent Rules and By-Laws in the Manual of The Mother Church (p. 58), all of which preclude the possibility of personal interpretation. As a protection to the movement and to themselves, she insisted that Christian Scientists have a clear understanding of her as the Discoverer through whom God's Word was revealed in this age, and as the Founder and Leader of the Christian Science movement.

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