Article April 22, 1950 Issue

THE VALUE OF SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES

FRANCES L. MC WILLIAMS

The deep reverence with which the Scriptures were regarded by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, is epitomized in the fact that she made them, together with her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the Pastor of all Churches of Christ, Scientist, everywhere in the world. That Christian Science is planted firmly upon the truths found in the Bible is clearly indicated by the first tenet of this scientific religion, which reads as follows (Science and Health, p. 497): "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life."

Our beloved Leader's attitude toward the Bible shows that familiarity with the Scriptures becomes a Christian Scientist. The first chapter of Genesis, which we understand to be the true account of creation and certain other parts of the Old Testament, and also parts of the New Testament, are well known to us through our daily study of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly, but acquaintance with the Bible from cover to cover enriches our experience. Jesus said (John 5:39), "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testifly of me." Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 241), "The Bible teaches transformation of the body by the renewal of Spirit."

Through the spiritual illumination which came to her as she read the healing of the palsied man recorded in the Bible Mrs. Eddy was herself healed of a condition pronounced fatal. This healing was the culmination of many years of searching for Truth and led to her discovery of Mind-healing. In her autobiography, "Retrospection and Introspection," she tells of this healing and says (pp. 24, 25):

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