TO obtain an appreciative comprehension of the foresight Mrs. Eddy used for the preservation of the Cause of Christian Science, one must know something of her efforts to remove the weaknesses which she saw were apparent in her organizations—the Christian Scientist Association, the National Christian Scientist Association, and the church in Boston. The unexpected steps she took in the momentous year of 1889 to strengthen her Cause against attacks from within and without brought from her pen the following (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 359): "Material organization is requisite in the beginning; but when it has done its work, the purely Christly method of teaching and preaching must be adopted." Although Mrs. Eddy closed her college in 1889, and in the same year dissolved the Christian Scientist Association, and disorganized the church, yet at a later date she brought the former and the latter again into vital activity, as is evidenced by records of their meetings published in The Christian Science Journal.
When Mrs. Eddy wrote the foregoing passage there was no Manual to govern the methods of preaching and teaching. Teaching was carried on in a manner that in some instances was harmful. Teachers went from place to place, often into different states. In those years there was no limit to the number of students a teacher might instruct in a year. After the reorganization of the church in 1892, Mrs. Eddy created By-laws which corrected these conditions. These By-laws, by constructive and disciplinary powers, hold teaching close to the high purpose desired by Mrs. Eddy. In 1889 there were no regulations relative to teaching, either in the Christian Scientist Association or in the National Christian Scientist Association, with such power to enforce them as Mrs. Eddy placed in the Manual.
Those who are not acquainted with the history of the changes which took place in the order of services of the Christian Science churches may be interested to know that it was not until 1895, nearly six years after Mrs. Eddy wrote the passage above quoted, that she made the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" the impersonal pastor of the churches; until that time the preaching had been done by persons selected to fill the position. Good sermons were preached, especially by those who were filled with the spirit because of their healing and regeneration through Christian Science; but there were instances of discourses correct in the letter, but lacking in the spirit.
