An alert professor brought to the attention of a class of university students the fact that marginal headings are of importance but are sometimes neglected. In introducing a new textbook to the class, the professor stated that this particular book would be the basis of instruction during the entire semester. He said that it was a serious work, but that there were no marginal headings; and he therefore strongly recommended that the students supply their own marginal headings, jotting down the essence of each paragraph in a few vital words.
The students who followed this excellent advice, establishing the little guideposts pointing to the author's meaning, not only gained a better understanding of the subject at hand, but learned to value marginal headings in other books.
Such was the experience of one student in this class who at that time was searching for a better understanding of God. She was introduced to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. As she held this textbook in her hands for the first time, she paused a moment and earnestly prayed that it might be revealed to her whether this little book were indeed the gateway to an understanding of God, which its adherents claimed it to be.
Turning the pages, the student was pleased to find marginal headings. She noted the one at the top of page 280 which, in poetic language, states, "The things of God are beautiful." Almost in awe because of her own concept of the loveliness of God as revealed through study of the Bible, she again turned the pages and read at the bottom of page 146 this marginal heading: "Christian Science as old as God." As she pondered this enlightening statement, her thought turned to the accounts of creation as given in the book of Genesis. Then she realized that she was being guided as her hand again turned the pages and paused at page 308, where the first marginal heading reads: "The great question."
Interest aroused, she read in the related text (pp. 307, 308): "Above error's awful din, blackness, and chaos, the voice of Truth still calls: 'Adam, where art thou? Consciousness, where art thou? Art thou dwelling in the belief that mind is in matter, and that evil is mind, or art thou in the living faith that there is and can be but one God, and keeping His commandment?' Until the lesson is learned that God is the only Mind governing man, mortal belief will be afraid as it was in the beginning, and will hide from the demand, 'Where art thou?'"
Here indeed were arousing questions and logical answers pointed out by means of marginal headings. The three marginal headings, together with the quotation from the text itself as given above, provided the essentials of applying Christian Science to a problem, by starting first with the things of God, next relating the truths of Christian Science to God, then arousing consciousness through questions and answers to cast out erroneous beliefs and accept only one God, one Mind, as the governor of man. Note too that fear is handled—fear, which our Leader tells us, is the basis of all human problems. Thus guided by the marginal headings, one seeker for Truth was convinced of the value of the Christian Science textbook and started on the joyous road of true scientific study and spiritual progress.
There is no unneeded word in the Christian Science textbook. The title of the book, the chapter headings, the Bible quotations preceding each chapter, as well as the marginal headings, all have deep meaning, and when carefully studied in connection with the related text of the book bring added light and understanding. We shall find it is most enlightening and richly rewarding to read Science and Health through, paying careful attention to each marginal heading. In these headings are to be found valuable summaries, pungent statements, keen analyses, alerting combinations of words, poetic beauty—all expressed in briefest form.
We need to see to it that love's labor represented in our textbook's many marginal headings is not lost to us and that the valuable ideas therein set forth are not hidden and are not overlooked. The cross and crown emblem stamped in gold on the cover of every one of our Leader's writings is a symbol greatly beloved by all her followers. The phrase "the cross and crown" appears in a marginal heading on page 254 of the textbook. This particular heading directs the reader to our Leader's own explanation of this familiar symbol for her books, and we learn the depths of its meaning, gleaned from her own experience.
Mrs. Eddy was inspired to write the Christian Science textbook, and for the fiftieth edition, she employed a competent person to propose marginal headings. Later the headings were gone over critically by two well-known students of Christian Science and approved by her. (See Historical Sketches by Clifford P. Smith, pp. 106, 108.) The marginal headings are helpful. To these small seeds, sown so plentifully throughout the pages of our textbook, are not the words from Isaiah (55:10,11) applicable, "As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it"?
