In a step that can hardly be overestimated, our Leader ordained the Bible and her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures as pastor for The Mother Church and its branches. See Manual of The Mother Church, Art. XIV, Sect. 1, and Miscellaneous Writings 313:25-2, 382:32-7; The King James Version, while not specifically named in the ordination, has served and continues to serve as the sole version of the Bible to be used as pastor in our English-speaking churches.
This is the translation through which our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, gained the revelation of divine Science. It is the one she primarily uses throughout her published writings; in all her books there are relatively few occasions where she quotes other translations.
The King James Version was adopted for use in the Christian Science Lesson-Sermons in 1891, with Mrs. Eddy's full knowledge and approval. It continued to be so used throughout her lifetime, even though a number of major new translations appeared during those years, found a place in her library, and had her careful attention.
