THE student of Christian Science cherishes his textbooks—the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. He counts these precious volumes as his most treasured possessions. He recognizes them as symbols of a truth so infinite that human language can repeat only an infinitesimal portion thereof. Through earnest application and prayerful study he familiarizes himself with their content and catches their inspiration.
Mrs. Eddy realized that the truth contained in her writings was impregnable. Referring to the textbook, she says in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 178), "If the world were in ashes, the contents of 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures' would remain immortal." This truth came to her as direct revelation through her diligent search of the Scriptures. Her writings are the living Word, "the vesture of Life." They embody the full revelation of divine Science. The textbook says (p. 242), "The vesture of Life is Truth." And it adds: "The divine Science of man is woven into one web of consistency without seam or rent. Mere speculation or superstition appropriates no part of the divine vesture, while inspiration restores every part of the Christly garment of righteousness."
Mrs. Eddy refers to herself as a scribe receiving orders from on high (Miscellaneous Writings 311:26 and Miscellany 115:6-9). Every word of her presentation of Science came to her through inspiration. Every word must kindle into living truth and become the very fiber of our being through inspiration. Our Leader dedicated her life to the revelation. We, her followers, can do no less. There can be no divided loyalty, no halfway position, no superficiality, no personal ambition. The inspired Word was revealed through love, and it takes pure, unselfed love to understand it. Truth itself must be to us "the vesture of Life."
