What am I?

On my latest reading of part of the chapter Preface to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the thought came: This is encouraging the reader to read on and discover why it is important to do so. It will help in the solving of the problems faced in the human existence; how to heal scientifically. Pioneering.

Are all students of Christian Science pioneering?

They have profited from the perusal of this book and they long to share it with the world. If we are being a good example, our pioneering will bring fruits.

How to be a good example?

Let’s look at the question “What am I?” in Mrs. Eddy’s collection called Prose Works. She writes:

“Goodness never fails to receive its reward, for goodness makes life a blessing. As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good. Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inquiry, What am I? to the scientific response: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing.” (my emphasis)
(The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 165:15)

Joyce Voysey

Ed. I find it so interesting that the question is WHAT am I? not WHO am I? So, the answer becomes: this is what I can be and do because I am "an active portion of one stupendous whole". 

A healing recipe

"The Bible contains the recipe for all healing." This sentence from page 406 in Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy is quite an incentive to students of the Bible and those seeking healing. 

A recipe provides ingredients, method or set of instructions, and often a photograph which offers proof of the end product. One must generally adhere closely to the quantities and types of ingredients and to the method offered. The result will then hopefully match the desired result. It is a disciplined but artful approach and the aim is a tasty meal.

I love how Science & Health is full of quotes from the Bible. 

In the Preface, I found the following:

vii: 20 Though empires fall, "the Lord shall reign forever." --> Exodus 15:18 and Psalms 146:10

viii: 12 The question, What is Truth, is answered by demonstration, - by healing both disease and sin; and this demonstration shows that Christian healing confers the most health and makes the best men. --> John 18:38 (Pilate's question)

viii: 21 A vigorous "No" is the response deducible from two connate facts, - the reputed longevity of the Antediluvians, and the rapid multiplication and increased violence of diseases since the flood. --> Antediluvians = those living prior to the Biblical flood (Genesis 6-10)

ix: 18 Today, though rejoicing in some progress, she still finds herself a willing disciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ. --> I Cor. 2:16

xi: 16 and 19-21 They are the sign of Immanuel, or "God with us," - a divine influence ever present in human consciousness and repeating itself, coming now as was promised aforetime, 

    To preach deliverance to the captives [of sense],

    And recovering of sight to the blind,

    To set at liberty them that are bruised.

--> Matthew 1:23, Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1

xii: 23 In the spirit of Christ's charity, -- as one who "hopeth all things, endureth all things," and is joyful to bear consolation to the sorrowing and healing to the sick, -- she commits these pages to honest seekers for Truth. - I Corinthians 13:7

Julie Swannell

Discovery and birth

This morning, I can see that the opening paragraph of the Preface to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy speaks of the discovery of Christian Science. 

The phrase “must give it birth” comes to mind. It is found in Mary Baker Eddy’s autobiographical sketch Retrospection and Introspection (Ret.), in the chapter The Great Discovery:

Jesus of Nazareth was a natural and divine Scientist. He was so before the material world saw him. He who antedated Abraham, and gave the world a new date in the Christian era, was a Christian Scientist, who needed no discovery of the Science of being in order to rebuke the evidence. To one “born of the flesh,” however, divine Science must be a discovery. Woman must give it birth. (Ret. p. 26:17–23 (to 2nd .))

The brief previous chapter in Retrospection and Introspection is entitled Emergence into Light. Readers of this blog would be enlightened through the perusal of those two short chapters.

Ah! I find that Preface speaks of this biographical sketch - see Science and Health p. viii: 24. In fact, there is a great co-relationship between this chapter and Retrospection and Introspection.

Ah! We have access to Mrs. Eddy’s teacher: the Bible - see Science and Health p. viii: 30. 

The Bible was  also her textbook - see Ret. p. 25:3.

Joyce Voysey