Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to header Skip to footer

DISCOVERER AND FOUNDER OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

From the September 1923 issue of The Christian Science Journal


As two joined mountain peaks stand forth above the lowlands, so Mrs. Eddy, in benefiting mankind, may be said to present two points of divine inspiration, having a dual capacity for good, whose unity cannot be destroyed. To separate this unity would destroy both points; even to eliminate one would immediately affect the other. This dual capacity for good lies in the fact that Mrs. Eddy was the Founder as well as the Discoverer of Christian Science. "In the year 1866, I discovered the Christ Science or divine laws of Life, Truth, and Love, and named my discovery Christian Science," writes Mrs. Eddy on page 107 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Here she refers to the discovery of Christian Science, and to herself as the Discoverer; but at the time—1866— she had founded neither her movement nor her church.

Shortly after her discovery, through its application Mrs. Eddy began to heal the sick; and later, she taught one student, thus laying the first stones in her foundation work. She tested many plans for the future progress of the Christian Science movement, one of which was that it should have no organization. She found, however, that she must not build upon sand, but upon the rock, so that the storms of subtle evil suggestion could not wash her work away. Step by step, through the next forty-four years from the time of her first patient and student, through the establishment of the different activities of her church which help us to be loyal Christian Scientists, up to and past the launching of the great international newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, she was founding her work. Each step was taken under divine guidance; and so it has been proved. She founded her church and its various activities; but seeing the possibility of schisms and their results, she warned her church members against them.

Mrs. Eddy's work as Founder is of the utmost importance, because it is the vehicle for her discovery. Without the activities which she established, her discovery would have been largely limited to her own sphere of influence. To bring this discovery to humanity, she must needs form or found her church. Without this foundation and its activities, the discovery might have been lost or obscured. The great Cause of Christian Science moves on, step by step, with a solid front; and there will never be a Leader of this movement, save Mrs. Eddy herself.

Sign up for unlimited access

You've accessed 1 piece of free Journal content

Subscribe

Subscription aid available

 Try free

No card required

More In This Issue / September 1923

concord-web-promo-graphic

Explore Concord—see where it takes you.

Search the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures