A Noticeable tendency to use, instead of the originals, copies of articles which have appeared from time to time, and of class notes or letters, needs to be checked. The habit of passing about and relying upon such writings for spiritual guidance is unscientific and often misleading. For, frequently, they are found to be so inaccurate that they utterly change the meaning of the originals, and thus transform a helpful intention into a harmful perversion. Thus, the addition of the letter "n" to the little word "or" has worked havoc with many a message. If it be necessary to copy an article, accuracy should be insured; but if not necessary, so much the better.
Sometimes the use of copied statements has gone to such an extreme as to usurp the place of Mrs. Eddy's writings. Occasionally these transcriptions are relied upon to such an extent that they become formulas, and are so used in violation of the By-Law, Article VIII, Section 9, of the Church Manual by Mrs. Eddy, which points out that whatever is requisite for teaching Christian Science or for healing the sick "is contained in the books of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science."
One who is tempted to use copies of uncertain correctness or questionable validity should first investigate their entire accuracy and real value. When offered such writings, one should first ascertain to whom they were given by the author, and when. If this information is not forthcoming, one may well assume that their authenticity is doubtful, and they should, therefore, be declined.
