TO communicate what she had discovered and proved, Mrs. Eddy carefully chose the best means for doing this effectively and safely. For this purpose, she chose oral and written teaching, the oral to be based on the written. So, for one thing, Christian Science differs from other religions in the degree of its dependence on the Bible and on its own literature for communicating its doctrines to the public, for informing inquirers, and for instructing students.
As soon as Mrs. Eddy was prepared to impart her teaching, she composed and used a manuscript for this purpose entitled "The Science of Man, by Which the Sick are Healed." Copyrighted in 1870, and first issued in handwriting, this manuscript was the beginning of Christian Science literature. It preceded the first edition of Mrs. Eddy's principal work, "Science and Health," by five years. Printed editions of "The Science of Man," differing slightly, were issued in 1876, 1879, and 1883. Afterward, Mrs. Eddy discontinued this pamphlet for separate use, but in 1881 she perpetuated its gist by putting its substance into her principal work, where it constitutes the chapter headed "Recapitulation." In this textbook, now entitled "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," parts of her first manuscript and pamphlet retain their original form. The following sentence is an instance (p. 485): "Not death, but the understanding of Life, makes man immortal."
The two sermons by Mrs. Eddy which are now published by themselves, "Christian Healing" and "The People's Idea of God. Its Effect on Health and Christianity," were published as pamphlets in 1880 and 1883 respectively. The latter sermon, originally entitled "The People's God. Its Effect on Health and Christianity," was also published in the second number of The Christian Science Journal (June 2, 1883). These pamphlets, therefore, are among the oldest parts of Christian Science literature. One of them was preceded by only "The Science of Man, by Which the Sick are Healed" (1870) and "Science and Health" (1875). The other was also preceded by the first number of The Christian Science Journal (April 14, 1883).
