When Wycliffe gave the Bible to England in the vernacular, a revolution was started. When, soon afterward, Tyndale and Coverdale advanced the work thus begun, the revolution gained momentum. As the influence of the English-speaking peoples grew, the English language spread throughout the world. Inevitably a knowledge of the Bible also spread. The result was that Christianity, as set forth in the New Testament and based on the monotheism of the Old Testament, soon became an even more powerful world force than it had been in the early centuries of the Christian era.
A more spiritual concept of the contents of this revolutionary book became available about sixty-five years ago. There were several contributing reasons. The researches of eminent scholars, the patient work of translators, the discoveries of archaeologists, and above all the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy combined to make available a knowledge of this Book of books far beyond anything possessed before. Christian Scientists treasure the Bible as the groundwork upon which their whole religious structure rests. Their Leader found in it the solution of her life problems and then gave to her followers a "key," or method, whereby they too might find in it the answer to their questions.
The Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy are inseparable. No one need ask which is the more important to the students of Christian Science. Without the "key," the Scriptures would still be a locked treasure house to them. The "key," without the treasure house to which it makes entrance possible, would be held by many to be of small value. Hence a Christian Scientist's necessity is to use this key, open the treasure house, and examine the contents in the light now thrown upon them by the labors of his Leader.
