When Mary Baker Eddy founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, she included a provision for Christian Science Reading Rooms. These rooms provide a place where anyone can pray and study Christian Science as well as access the periodicals and books published by The Christian Science Publishing Society. While volunteering in our branch church’s Reading Room, I realized that among the many items available to “read” in the “room,” of great importance was the Bible along with Mary Baker Eddy’s companion book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Mrs. Eddy designated these two books as the Pastor for her Church. They can, and do, speak to each individual who opens them, no matter where in the world that person happens to be. Many denominations include pastoral visits in their ministry, and Christian Scientists also have this benefit. The difference is that everyone who has the Bible and Science and Health, the Christian Science textbook, in their home, has ready access to the Pastor at any time.
The weekly Bible Lesson, published in the Christian Science Quarterly, is available for individual study and is also the sermon for Sunday services in Churches of Christ, Scientist, around the world. A midweek testimony meeting includes selections from the Bible and Science and Health. During these meetings, people can tell how they have been healed through studying Christian Science. In fact, people are even healed during these services.
