To one making his way towards spiritual light, the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, is a certain and reassuring guide. Whether the objective be a release from the confusing variabilities and errors of material thinking, from sin, or from sickness, prayerful study of the textbook can lead to joyous redemption. In fact, the very first paragraph of the first chapter includes a statement which is being proved daily by students of Christian Science: "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love." Thus writes our Leader; then she adds for our assurance, "Regardless of what another may say or think on this subject, I speak from experience."
To understand and appreciate the broad foundation of personal experience to which our Leader confidently refers, the student might read one or all of the authorized biographies of Mrs. Eddy. These may be read or borrowed at any Christian Science Reading Room. In their pages the eager student will discern the full import of that phrase: "I speak from experience." And he may be sure that what he is reading is a factual account of spiritual achievements. As a complement to this study the seeker should also read Mrs. Eddy's book, "Retrospection and Introspection." Herein will be noted autobiographical incidents which tell of the progressive steps that led to her joyous experience of gaining an absolute faith in God and to her founding of the Christian Science movement.
The careful student of her many writings finds that Mrs. Eddy comprehensively tested each new facet of Truth and rejoiced in the ultimate proof of every step towards spiritual understanding. He comes to understand and appreciate her selfless yearning to benefit mankind, the deep spiritual desire to communicate her experience in such a way as to be useful to the ages to come.
