Our Literature

Archibald McLellan

We have been requested to say something further in the Sentinel regarding numerous books which, with those who know but little of Christian Science, pass current as authorized or approved Christian Science literature; but this ground has been covered so many times in our periodicals that there seems little more to be said, and we therefore take the liberty of repeating an editorial which appeared in our issue of December 3, 1904. It is as follows:—

"We are in receipt of a letter from one of our subscribers asking us to state what books may properly be called Christian Science literature, also to define the status of several books which she names.

"While it is possible to answer these questions in a very few words, it seems better to go into the matter in a more general way, because of the very considerable number of books of various kinds which have been issued by Christian Scientists within the past few years, and because of other books issued by persons who are not Christian Scientists, but who have mentioned Christian Science in a commendatory manner. As both these classes of books seem to be on the increase, and as they are being extensively advertised among Christian Scientists, it has become a fair question to ask whether any of these publications can be considered as having the official approval of the denomination, or as speaking for the Cause in an authoritative way. The answer which must be made to this question is that the only publications for which the Christian Science Church assumes responsibility are the writings of Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, issued through her own publisher, and the periodicals, pamphlets, etc., issued by The Christian Science Publishing Society. All others must be considered as not being Christian Science literature, and as having no more authority to speak for, or bind, the denomination, or to represent the Cause, than would properly be conceded to a book, published by a lay member of the Methodist church, for instance, to bind that denomination, even though the book should set forth the author's views about Methodism, or attempt through fiction to present the doctrines of that faith, in an attractive manner.

"This statement must not be misconstrued to mean that we are passing judgment upon these books. It simply means that they are not Christian Science literature in the sense in which that term is used by Christian Scientists. One of the greatest dangers in their circulation is the inconsiderate acceptance of all their statements as synonymous with the teachings of Christian Science. Another danger is that they may be given out in substitution for the authorized literature which alone is representative of this great movement."

We are told that some Christian Scientists have looked upon these books as the most suitable literature to place in the hands of investigators or beginners, but this seems to us to be a subtle temptation to make Christian Science so easy for our friends that it will not grate harshly upon their established views regarding God, man, and disease. When we accede to such temptations we forget that many of these established views need to be overturned as speedily as possible if the individual is to be benefited; therefore the best service we can render our friends is frankly to take the ground that mortal and material concepts of ethics, economics, religion, and medicine have not saved mankind from the results of their self-imposed laws, and in doing this it is not necessary for us to prepare the way for Science by first presenting a diluted article.

Archibald McLellan.

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"The Power of the Word"

February 4, 1905

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