As regular readers of The Christian Science Journal know, Science and Health was first published a century ago, in 1875. Its author, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in its Preface: "A book introduces new thoughts, but it cannot make them speedily understood. It is the task of the sturdy pioneer to hew the tall oak and to cut the rough granite." And she continues, "Future ages must declare what the pioneer has accomplished." Science and Health, p. vii;
During the past twelve months each issue of this magazine has particularly emphasized the gratitude of testifiers who are happy to "declare what the pioneer has accomplished" thus far in their lives. They speak of gaining inner peace through reading Science and Health, of spiritualized thought, satisfaction, reconstructed mentalities and lives. There is mention of character improvement, spiritual education and growth, release from drinking and smoking habits, the healing of heart trouble, diabetes, a malignant growth, nervous convulsions, and complications following childbirth.
All these experiences and many more are cited as examples of how the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, has blessed humanity during the first century of its existence, and they cannot fail to kindle expectation for the future. The implication is obvious: if these are the first-fruits, what wonders can the second century be expected to bring forth? Surely, greater blessings still as the readers of this book grasp even more strongly the significance of its divine message and accept it into their thought as the vital, operative truth of being.
But like any other book on a scientific subject, if it is to accomplish its purpose, Science and Health needs to be not only read but thoroughly studied and digested. Its teachings must be understood and practiced. The ideas it imparts must be assimilated into consciousness and acted upon in daily life, not merely intellectually appraised. This takes attentive work— work that is disciplined but at the same time is deeply enjoyable and satisfying and pays immediate dividends in transforming human character and experience as the Christ, Truth, has always done.
Centuries ago God revealed Christ, His true idea, to the world through the life of Jesus. It must have been a holy, uplifting experience to be among the multitudes who came to hear him speak. Picture him standing on the green hillside, by the Sea of Galilee, or in a desert place. Crowds press in on him. Sick people want to touch him because they believe that by doing so they will be healed. Others lean forward, anxious not to miss a word he's saying. The Master had said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63; The people who heard him had a deep feeling this was true. They valued everything he told them.
This is the way we should feel when reading Science and Health. Mrs. Eddy says: "If nineteen hundred years ago Christ taught his followers to heal the sick, he is to-day teaching them the same heavenly lesson. Christ is 'the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.'" The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 109;
God is revealing to us today the glorious truth of spiritual being through the illumination of the Scriptures by Science and Health. This book is teaching us the nature of God's creation and the divine laws by which harmony in all things is attained. It is also giving us something we sorely need at this time: an understanding of the workings of animal magnetism, or evil—the suppositional power opposed to God, Spirit, that seemingly draws us away from Him.
Christian Science unmasks the unreality of matter and mortality. It explains through Science and Health how the material atom and mortal life seem to evolve in the human mind, and how sin claims to use mortal man. It shows what to do to counteract the negative influence of this illusory power.
The world needs a thorough knowledge of the tactics of evil, the mortal belief of a power and substance apart from God, Spirit, as well as a deep appreciation of the immortal universe of Soul. We are wise to take the entire revelation of Christian Science—to study the whole of Science and Health—and learn not only of the love of God but how the dream of life in matter evolves and the experiences of mortal men and women are formed in belief. By reading it repeatedly from beginning to end we ensure that no loophole of ignorance exists through which the false beliefs of mortal sense may enter consciousness and upset the harmony of heaven that should reign within. Mrs. Eddy writes, "A knowledge of error and of its operations must precede that understanding of Truth which destroys error, until the entire mortal, material error finally disappears, and the eternal verity, man created by and of Spirit, is understood and recognized as the true likeness of his Maker." Science and Health, p. 252;
Science and Health has many different roles in society. It offers us the services of pastor, prophet, teacher, business adviser, marriage counselor, pediatrician, comforter, and friend. Although it was written one hundred years ago, it relates to current affairs—both individual and collective. It shows us what our rights, privileges, and duties are; how to deal with economic problems, crime, discrimination, old age.
It is understandable and practical to children and newcomers to Christian Science and goes on year after year inspiring, instructing, comforting, and healing people who have studied it for a lifetime.
Now, as we stand at the beginning of the second hundred years of Science and Health it is natural to look back gratefully at the mountain of accumulated evidence that has already proved this book to be a mighty spiritualizing, healing influence. We can realize this is only a foretaste of the good that is yet to be unfolded from God, the source of all good. And we can look to the future with sincere resolve to add understanding to understanding and triumph to triumph in the century to come.
