In the inspiring Preface to "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy states that the book is published in answer to many requests for the assembling in a single volume of her articles and poems which had appeared in The Christian Science Journal. It will be remembered that Mrs. Eddy established her first periodical in 1883 and acted as its Editor from that date until September, 1884. During that period she was its chief contributor, and in later years many of her writings were published in the Journal. During the thirteen years from 1883 to 1896 her contributions to the Journal, together with other writings, including sermons, addresses delivered at different times, and poems, were sufficient to make a volume of nearly five hundred pages.
The importance Mrs. Eddy attached to the volume may be judged from her request that, during the year following its appearance, the teaching of Christian Science as provided in the Manual of The Mother Church be suspended, thus enabling all students of Christian Science to center attention upon the contents of the new book. That her judgment was sound is attested by uncounted thousands who have found within its pages that which has instructed, inspired, and stimulated them to higher endeavor in making practical the way of life so clearly set forth therein.
"Miscellaneous Writings" contains a vast amount of material of great importance to every Christian Scientist. Its table of contents plainly indicates its wide range of subjects. Addresses, letters to churches and students, sermons, vital questions scientifically answered, special articles written . to meet specific needs, metaphysical discussions, historical statements, poems, constitute a range of literary work most unusual even for so fluent a writer as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. And the wonder of the accomplishment grows when it is realized that all this was written in the midst of the increasing labors incident to the founding and development of the Christian Science movement. But one conclusion is logical. She was, indeed, "a scribe under orders" (ibid., p. 311) bountifully reflecting the intelligence which is both divine and infinite.
