And if he has believed the Archives to be a dead end for treasured historical documents, or that it is a closed door to the inquirer in genuine need of information, his misconceptions are quickly put to rest by the enthusiasm and scope of activity of the Archives staff.
It turns out that this office functions as a modern research center. The staff, which is highly trained in research, library, and technical specialties, clearly works hard to collect and report historical information to Church offices that use it in developing new programs and publications, in general office enrichment, and in reports to the Field.
Books and special articles published during the Centennial year have drawn heavily upon materials in the Archives. During the last year authors and scholars have more than ever before used the rich archival collections, the best known of which contains the nearly sixteen thousand letters and manuscripts by Mary Baker Eddy. These publishing calls have more than justified the decision of The Christian Science Board of Directors over thirty years ago to establish the Archives.