As every Christian Scientist knows, the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" should be his daily companions, but that does not mean that he should own and study a reprint of the first or other early editions. The original first edition may be interesting historically, but Mrs. Eddy herself disposed of its usefulness when she published in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 237): "What I wrote on Christian Science some twenty-five years ago I do not consider a precedent for a present student of this Science. The best mathematician has not attained the full understanding of the principle thereof, in his earliest studies or discoveries. Hence, it were wise to accept only my teachings that I know to be correct and adapted to the present demand." She also said, regarding the first edition, that it was spoiled by its printer, so many errors did it contain.
The copyrights on the earliest editions of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy have expired, and the reprinting of those editions is not now forbidden by law as it was until the expiration of the copyrights. The first edition has already been reprinted by at least two publishers who are not connected with the Christian Science organization; a reprint of a succeeding edition is also advertised, and the Christian Science Field is being circularized with advertising matter to buy reprints. Christian Scientists need to be alert to recognize that these solicitations do not come from any concern connected with the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy or with The Christian Science Publishing Society, who are the only publishers of authorized Christian Science literature. During the twenty-five years after the earliest editions of Science and Health were in circulation, that is, from 1885, our Leader did not reprint nor use these books after she had revised them.
No other person's interpretative statements can gainsay the author's published words nor her recommendations to Christian Scientists to study the latest revised editions of her works. She says: "I have revised Science and Health only to give a clearer and fuller expression of its original meaning. Spiritual ideas unfold as we advance. A human perception of divine Science, however limited, must be correct in order to be Science and subject to demonstration" (Science and Health, p. 361). When Mrs. Eddy's statements are taken in their own environment and are truly understood, neither being added to nor interpreted by others than their writer, they give no wrong impression of her intentions.
