Before she discovered Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy was not prepared by experience or training to institute a cause or lead a movement corresponding to her great discovery. She had spoken and written or civic and ethical topics, such as the abolition of Negro slavery, but she had never devised a large plan or directed a large work. Nevertheless, she was prepared in another way, and the discovery itself included the comprehension of man's ever available access to God for all forms of genuine intelligence. Soon, therefore, she developed an effective and steadfast dependence on the divine Mind for the necessary guidance and wisdom.
Not only did Mrs. Eddy learn to depend implicitly on God for discernment and direction throughout her leadership of the Christian Science movement, but she also learned to study the lessons of experience in a scientific way. Her attitude toward these subjects could be illustrated by many excerpts from her letters. When writing to The Christian Science Board of Directors in 1895 she said, "And from long tests I know that He will show me the way that is just, and then I will follow it." And when writing to the Directors in 1908 she expressed her thought in these few words: "Be wise from inspiration and experience."
Mrs. Eddy got at least an effective glimpse of what she afterward named Christian Science at Lynn in February of 1866. She gained a distinct step toward complete discovery in the latter part of that year. She attained to further stages of progress during the next three years. The discovery of Christian Science continued to develop in her consciousness, the first edition of her principal work being completed in 1875. Naturally, her progress in the comprehension of such a subject did not end then. She has spoken to this effect in her autobiography, "Retrospection and Introspection," pages 24–28, and in her principal work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," ix:20–2; 109:11; 361:21. If the culminating of her expression can be traced to a particular time, it may be marked by her revision of Science and Health in 1901 and he Messages to The Mother Church for 1901 and 1902. Afterwards she did less writing, but did it just as well.
