"The Bible and the Christian Science textbook are our only preachers."
Christian Science Quarterly Explanatory Note;This statement read each Sunday by the First Reader in Christian Science churches informs the congregation that the sermon they are about to hear is by an impersonal pastor.
One who serves as a Reader will find it helpful to remind himself often that the Bible, and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy are the only preachers in Churches of Christ, Scientist. The spiritual significance of this fact, as it unfolds to the Reader's thought, relieves him of undue personal responsibility, frees him from a sense that he can interfere with the message of the Lesson-Sermon through his own inadequacy or limitation, and gives him the assurance that accurate, effective communication of truth as provided in the Christian Science Quarterly must go on.
In the early days of the Christian Science movement there was personal preaching. But when it became evident to Mrs. Eddy that the purity of her teachings must be protected from possible misinterpretation and adulteration in the pulpits of the churches, she turned wholeheartedly to God in prayer to reveal the answer to this important need.
