Preface
ix:1
She also began to jot down her thoughts on the
She also began to jot down her thoughts on the
main subject, but these jottings were only infantile
lispings of Truth. A child drinks in the outward world
through the eyes and rejoices in the draught. He is
as sure of the world's existence as he is of his own; yet
he cannot describe the world. He finds a few words,
and with these he stammeringly attempts to convey his
feeling. Later, the tongue voices the more definite
thought, though still imperfectly.
ix:10
So was it with the author. As a certain poet says of
So was it with the author. As a certain poet says of
himself, she "lisped in numbers, for the numbers
came." Certain essays written at that early date are
still in circulation among her first pupils; but they are
feeble attempts to state the Principle and practice of
Christian healing, and are not complete nor satisfac-
tory expositions of Truth. To-day, though rejoicing
in some progress, she still finds herself a willing dis-
ciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of
Christ.
ix:20
Her first pamphlet on Christian Science was copy-
Her first pamphlet on Christian Science was copy-
righted in 1870; but it did not appear in print until
1876, as she had learned that this Science must be
demonstrated by healing, before a work on the subject
could be profitably studied. From 1867 until 1875,
copies were, however, in friendly circulation.
ix:26
Before writing this work, SCIENCE AND HEALTH, she
Before writing this work, SCIENCE AND HEALTH, she
made copious notes of Scriptural exposition, which
have never been published. This was during the years
1867 and 1868. These efforts show her comparative
ignorance of the stupendous Life-problem up to that
time, and the degrees by which she came at length
to its solution; but she values them as a parent
x:1
may treasure the memorials of a child's growth, and
may treasure the memorials of a child's growth, and
she would not have them changed.
x:3
The first edition of SCIENCE AND HEALTH was pub-
The first edition of SCIENCE AND HEALTH was pub-
lished in 1875. Various books on mental healing have
since been issued, most of them incorrect in theory
and filled with plagiarisms from SCIENCE AND HEALTH.
They regard the human mind as a healing agent,
whereas this mind is not a factor in the Principle of
Christian Science. A few books, however, which are
based on this book, are useful.
x:11
The author has not compromised conscience to suit
The author has not compromised conscience to suit
the general drift of thought, but has bluntly and hon-
estly given the text of Truth. She has made no effort
to embellish, elaborate, or treat in full detail so in-
finite a theme. By thousands of well-authenticated
cases of healing, she and her students have proved the
worth of her teachings. These cases for the most part
have been abandoned as hopeless by regular medical
attendants. Few invalids will turn to God till all
physical supports have failed, because there is so little
faith in His disposition and power to heal disease.
x:22
The divine Principle of healing is proved in the
The divine Principle of healing is proved in the
personal experience of any sincere seeker of Truth. Its
purpose is good, and its practice is safer and more po-
tent than that of any other sanitary method. The un-
biased Christian thought is soonest touched by Truth,
and convinced of it. Only those quarrel with her
method who do not understand her meaning, or dis-
cerning the truth, come not to the light lest their
works be reproved. No intellectual proficiency is req-
uisite in the learner, but sound morals are most de-
sirable.