Throughout her writings Mrs. Eddy frequently indicates that the purpose of Christian Science is not physical healing alone, but the complete liberation from the illusion of a material universe and self. By studying the Bible in the light of divine Science, we gain a clearer understanding of God and the Scriptures and are thereby aided on our journey from material sense to spiritual sense.
On page 344 of Science and Health, our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes, "There are various methods of treating disease, which are not included in the commonly accepted systems; but there is only one which should be presented to the whole world, and that is the Christian Science which Jesus preached and practised and left to us as his rich legacy." Christian Science is the Science of Christianity, the Science of true healing, teaching us how to love and live love in our daily lives, thereby helping us to keep the Golden Rule. All of this is what attracted me to Science, plus the fact that serious study of this teaching requires daily use of the Bible.
For several years I faithfully attended services in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, studied the Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly, and read the Christian Science periodicals, apparently without gaining much understanding. However, Truth, though I was not then aware of it, had been leavening my thought. When I was confronted with what seemed an insurmountable problem, the manner in which I was able to meet the situation and the compassion I felt for the ones concerned proved to me what Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 152): "Truth has a healing effect, even when not fully understood." During this period I began making regular visits to a Christian Science Reading Room, and gradually I regained my composure and peace of mind. From that time on I regularly visited the Reading Room and never failed to come away refreshed and uplifted. Consequently, I have continued to be deeply grateful for Reading Rooms.
