Christian Science Research Library
Categories of books held in the Library (2011)
“I consider my students as capable, individually, of selecting their own reading matter and circulating it, as a committee would be which is chosen for this purpose.”(Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science Journal, July 1891)
“The Bible, together with Science and Health and other works by Mrs. Eddy, shall be his only textbooks for self-instruction in Christian Science, and for teaching and practicing metaphysical healing.” (Church Manual p. 34)
1. Writings by Mary Baker Eddy
1.1. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
1.2. The sixteen other writings by Mrs. Eddy
1.3. Periodicals and other publications originating during Mrs. Eddy’s lifetime: The CS Journal, CS Sentinel, CS Herald, CS Monitor, CS Quarterly, Hymnals, CS Series, etc.
2. The Bible
2.1. Bible text, Old and New Testament
2.2. Old Testament – chapter and verse
2.3. New Testament – chapter and verse
2.4. Dictionaries and Concordances
2.5. Apocrypha – Old and New Testaments – including archeological discoveries
2.6. Commentaries
2.7. History of Christianity
2.8. Writings on the Bible by Christian Science authors
2.9. Miscellaneous Bible writings
3. Writings by authors based on the Bible and Science and Health
“The first edition of Science and Health was published in 1875. . . . A few books, . . . , which are based on this book, are useful.” (S&H p. x:3)
“A student can write voluminous works on Science without trespassing, if he writes honestly, and he cannot dishonestly compose Christian Science.” (Retrospection and Introspection p. 76:4)
3.1. Alphabetical list of authors
3.2. Periodicals
3.3. Joint authors
3.4. Bibliographies and catalogues
3.5. Mental Healing and New Thought (including authors coming from Christian Science)
3.6. ‘Revisions’ of Science and Health (not by Mrs. Eddy)
4. Historical items – Christian Science movement
“Christian Science and Christian Scientists will, must, have a history;” (Miscellaneous Writings p. 106 :3)
“Mere historic incidents and personal events are frivolous and of no moment, unless they illustrate the ethics of Truth. To this end, but only to this end, such narrations may be admissible and advisable; but if spiritual conclusions are separated from their premises, the nexus is lost and the argument, with its rightful conclusions, becomes correspondingly obscure. The human history needs to be revised, and the material record expunged.” (Retrospection and Introspection p. 21:25)
4.1. Christian Science movement within the United States of America
4.2. Christian Science movement outside the United States
4.3. Prophecies relating to the Second Advent
4.4. Composite publications by Christian Science Publishing Society since 1910 and recently by Office of the Writings of Mary Baker Eddy
4.5. Church organization and administration (including Committee on Publication)
5. Biographies
“… The papers are writing up my history; the history of my ancestry; writing lies. My history is a holy one.” (Collectanea p. 24. From notes given by Mary Baker Eddy at her home, Pleasant View, March 12, 1907 – the “Next Friends” suit had been filed on March 11, 1907)
5.1. Mary Baker Eddy
5.2. Other Christian Scientists
5.3. Reminiscences of Mary Baker Eddy
5.4. Protestant reformers
6. 1910 Onward
Interpretation of The Church Manual
“Who is telling mankind of the foe in ambush? Is the informer one who sees the foe? If so, listen and be wise.” (S&H p. 571:10)
“‘They that take the sword shall perish with the sword.’ Let Truth uncover error in God’s own way, and let human justice pattern the divine. Sin will receive its full penalty, both for what it is and for what it does. Justice marks the sinner, and teaches mortals not to remove the landmarks of God. To envy’s own hell, justice consigns the lie which, to advance itself, breaks God’s commandments.” (S&H p. 542:18)
6.1. The C.S. Board of Directors’ action after Mrs. Eddy’s passing including reactions from the field (1910 – Great Litigation 1922)
6.2. Post litigation
6.3. Copyright and trademark challenges
6.4. Excommunications and resignations
6.5. Independent churches
7. Miscellaneous Items
“He drew a circle and shut me out
Heretic, revel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!”
(Edwin Markham, “Outwitted”. American poet, 1852-1940)
7.1. Inspirational non-fiction, written from experience
7.2. Inspirational poems, prose, fiction
7.3. World religions and history (research material)
7.4. Dictionaries, including “Spiritual ABC’s”, general reference
7.5. Photographs
7.6. Charts
