Mary Baker Eddy—Founder! What does the word "founder" mean that it should be so closely linked with the one who has discovered Christian Science, the complete healing system of Christ Jesus? Webster's dictionary gives this meaning: "One that founds, establishes, or builds." The Founder of Christian Science, then, is the one who has immovably established Christian Science on this earth.
In the Preface to the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. xi), Mrs. Eddy discloses her divine authority for undertaking this gigantic task. She explains, "When God called the author to proclaim His Gospel to this age, there came also the charge to plant and water His vineyard." How has she fulfilled this responsibility which God placed upon her? What evidence have we that she succeeded in performing a task of such magnitude? Through what avenues have her followers received directions for aiding their Leader in carrying out God's orders to her "to plant and water His vineyard"?
Evidence of her selfless obedience to this command is to be seen in the incomparable church institution which she founded and which she fostered throughout her long years of devotion to the fulfillment of God's charge. The Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy records God's directions to her for founding an institution, the purpose of which is to forward the new birth of everyone who enters its fold by requiring obedience to Rules and By-Laws which over the years were dictated to the author by divine Love.
