Permit me to say, through your Journal, that in many places westward where Mrs. Butts & myself have spoken on the Science of health, we have been interrogated by your nominal (perhaps not normal) Students in this wise:
"To what School do you belong?" Giving the questioner a silent treatment, for a moment, & ruling out the unconscious impertinence, I then said orally: "We belong to the School of Science. the school that belongs to us, if you are curious to know, is the Highland School of Mental Philosophy, whose Christian name is Health."
"Then you cannot belong to Mrs. Eddy's School."
"But we can belong to the School to which Mrs. Eddy belongs."
"Do you accept her bookEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy as the only standard in teaching?"
"Which edition?" I asked.
"The last & best, of course."
"That is well said. We will accept that when it appears. Meanwhile, like your teacher, we accept Science, that is, demonstrated truth, as authority."
"But you do not accept "Science & HealthEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy."
"Indeed, we do. Science & health are inseparable. But the Science & a book on that subject are not identical. The science is written only in the Book of LifeEditorial Note: The phrase, “Book of Life” appears a number of times in the Bible but usually refers to the names of those who are in some sense “saved” and will dwell with God for eternity. This contrasts with its apparent meaning in this letter as a book containing metaphysical or doctrinal teachings.."
"Which is the book of the testimony of JesusRev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. as interpreted Mrs. Eddy."
"But interpreted in the same light (of truth) that lighteth every man that cometh into the worldJohn 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. ."
"But which is recorded in the New Testament."
"Nay; that book, too, is unfinished. 'Greater worksJohn 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. ' are in the unrecorded "Mind of the Spirit.'"
"Then you do not accept even the record of Jesus Christ as authority.?"
"Jesus was a person. As such he could not be authority for truth, but could only make, as, happily, he did make Truth (which was called Christ) his authority
"Then, in that sense, you belong to his School".
"Nay; in that sense we belong to the same School that he did, & use the same textbook."
"But you have a textbook of your own, as well as Mrs. Eddy,"
"That is my personality– my Christian name. My surname is Science."
"Then you are a Christian Scientist."
"Just so; & that is where we meet–in the name of Science."
"But the name Christian Science belongs to Mrs. Eddy, as discover"
"Verily; the name, but not the science. She has a right to Christen (anoint) herself, & others, & use her textbookAs Written:text book; but Science – Christian, Mohammedan, or HinduAs Written:Hindoo,– belongs to no School, & you may do her great injustice by claiming for her an attitude very inconsistent in a Scientific discoverer."
"But you will allow that the School belongs to the discoverer?"
"Nay; the discoverer belongs to the School (of Science).
"Do you belong to it?"
"yes; but it does not belong to me, nor Mrs. Eddy, nor Jesus of Nazareth; but to God (Divine Intelligence) only. "Why callest thou me good (authority),," said The impersonal Christ; "There is none good but One.Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Luke 18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. " Hence: 'What School?' or 'Lo, here?' & 'Lo, there?'Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. are irrelevant inquires in Christian Science"
Now, in your own judgment, are we not essentially correct in these averments as to your true position as teacher of the Science of health?
Perhaps it is not possible, if desirable, for us to see "eye to eye," as to methods. But you will recognize the fact that we are not, nor ever have been, dissenters from your School of Christian Science, as such- We place your bookEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, among others, biblical, theosophical oriental, in the hands of our students, as a necessary aid.
Mrs. Mary B. G. Eddy.