The deific Principle underlying all demonstration in Christian Science is concisely stated by Mary Baker Eddy in "the scientific statement of being," found on page 468 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."
Referring in "Miscellaneous Writings" to these divinely inspired words, Mrs. Eddy says (p. 21): "My first plank in the platform of Christian Science is as follows: 'There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.'"
This "scientific statement of being" is universal and adaptable to meet the problems of daily living. Through the student's own demonstration of Science he becomes increasingly aware that its truths constitute a veritable armor, an ever-available defense of divine Mind, always ready for and equal to any emergency. "The scientific statement of being" was of such deep spiritual import to Mrs. Eddy that she incorporated it as part of the order of the Sunday church services in The Mother Church as well as branch churches. This divinely revealed statement contains the fundamental teaching upon which Christian Science is based.
