A Glossary, according to the erudite Mr. Webster, is a "partial dictionary . . . explaining technical terms or uncommon words." Certainly one of the most illuminating portions of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, is that which is contained in Chapter XVII, titled "Glossary." This chapter, following the author's inspirational interpretation of Genesis and the Apocalypse, is a fitting climax to the "Key to the Scriptures," with which the textbook ends.
Mrs. Eddy prefaces her Glossary thus (Science and Health, p. 579): "In Christian Science we learn that the substitution of the spiritual for the material definition of a Scriptural word often elucidates the meaning of the inspired writer." Then she continues: "On this account this chapter is added. It contains the metaphysical interpretation of Bible terms, giving their spiritual sense, which is also their original meaning."
Particularly interesting is the scientific explication of such Bible names as Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, and others. Instead of dwelling on the historic material aspects of these characters, Mrs. Eddy shows, from the standpoint of Christian Science, what qualities of thought they typify. Take, for example, the following definition of Levi (ibid., p. 590): "A corporeal and sensual belief; mortal man; denial of the fulness of God's creation; ecclesiastical despotism."
