Research and development

The Christian Science Board of Directors

Mary Baker Eddy writes, "For many successive years I have endeavored to find new ways and means for the promotion and expansion of scientific Mind-healing, seeking to broaden its channels and, if possible, to build a hedge round about it that should shelter its perfections from the contaminating influences of those who have a small portion of its letter and less of its spirit."^{Retrospection and Introspection, p. 52.} It is apparent from these words that Mrs. Eddy felt the need for research and knew the need for protecting new ideas while listening intently for God's direction.

Time was when such project research here at headquarters could be done quietly, so facts were not distorted nor were conclusions drawn from partial information; projects were not gossiped about, and certainly not "leaked" to the local press. Because the work of church is the demonstration of divine Science, only those plans which carefully came to fruition were announced.

Premature exposure only delays demonstration. The greatest risk is not that a project might suffer but rather that people might become suspicious or distrustful of each other—an aim of animal magnetism.

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