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The Christian Science Church, in the words of its founder, is "designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master [Christ Jesus], which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." Mary Baker Eddy, author of her church's principal work "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," discovered Christian Science more than 125 years ago. Her years of deep study of the Bible revealed its spiritual import and healing message. She established the Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1892 to share her discovery of the healing, redeeming power of the ever-present Christ with all mankind. Mrs. Eddy defines church as "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." In order to move away from personal preaching, she ordained two books to be the pastor of the church: the Holy Bible and "Science and Health." These books are the only "preachers"; there is no ordained clergy. The Christian Science Church in Marblehead is a branch of The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, also known as The Mother Church. Today there are Churches of Christ, Scientist and Christian Science Societies in 74 countries. What are the Tenets of the Church? The following six tenets of Christian Science, from "Science and Health," describe foundational concepts that church members subscribe to:
1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as
our sufficient guide to eternal Life. Who are the pastors of this church? The individuals who conduct our services -- our Readers -- are not our pastors. Nor are they ordained clergy. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discover and Founder of Christian Science, ordained two books, the Holy Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, as the "dual and impersonal pastor" of her church. Readings from the Bible and correlative selections from Science and Health, written by Mrs. Eddy, form the basis of our church services and are the primary texts that Christian Scientists use in prayerful study throughout the week. Lay people, elected from our membership, conduct both our Sunday and Wednesday services. During the midweek meeting, about 30 minutes are set aside for those in the congregation to give thanks to God and to share testimonies. These spontaneous comments include first-hand accounts of healing and inspiration gained from individual study and prayer. The three hymns at each service and the Sunday solo are selected to support the healing message in the readings. What is the basis of Christian Science? Mrs. Eddy, a native of New England, established The Church of Christ, Scientist to commemorate the works of our Master, Christ Jesus, and to "reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." (Church Manual, page 17) Our church here in Marblehead is a branch of this worldwide church, based in Boston. The teachings of Christian Science are deeply rooted in the Scriptures. A new Bible Lesson read and studied by Christian Scientists each week is, in fact, the same "sermon" read from the desk on Sunday at all the denomination's churches. In each week's Lesson, Bible passages are amplified and explained by related passages in Science and Health. Visitors to our church are invited to take a free copy of the Christian Science Quarterly. Please let an usher know you'd like to have a complimentary copy of either the three-month issue of these Bible Lesson citations or a full-text monthly edition. These are also for sale in our Reading Room. Each year our church sponsors a free lecture in the community. This is a one-hour talk by an experienced Christian Science practitioner, possibly a teacher of Christian Science, who devotes full time to healing through prayer. Mrs. Eddy was born in Bow, New Hampshire. She spent many years searching for practical, permanent solutions to the many challenges in her life, including chronic ill-health. Convinced that the Bible's New Testament accounts of healing were not one-time special events or miracles, she came to see that the power of God is always present to heal. After suffering serious injuries from a fall, she looked for help in the Bible. She was healed and attributed her quick recovery to relying on the same spiritual truths that formed the basis of Jesus' healing ministry. Mrs. Eddy devoted many years to studying, healing thousands, teaching, and sharing with others this scientific, purely spiritual system of healing. In 1875 she published her most important book, Science and Health. She obtained a charter for her Church in 1879. In 1892 she reorganized The Church of Christ, Scientist, creating a central administration for the rapidly growing movement in Boston, home to The Mother Church and its world headquarters. Today there are branch churches, such as ours here in Marblehead, in over 75 countries. Biographies of Mrs. Eddy are available in the Reading Room for loan or purchase. How important is spiritual healing to Christian Science? Very important. The power of God to heal is a central teaching of Christian Science. Christian Scientists seek to follow the Master, Christ Jesus, in practicing spiritual healing in their own lives and in helping others who are seeking Christian Science healing. The monthly magazine, The Christian Science Journal, published by the Christian Science Publishing Society in Boston, contains a listing of those in the public healing practice of Christian Science. These practitioners charge a daily fee for specific treatment through prayer. Each worship service in a Christian Science church, Sunday and Wednesday, is a healing service. We invite you to join us in praying for healing in the congregation and in expecting healing at each service. How can I learn more about what Christian Science teaches? From the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. These are not only our Pastor, but our textbooks. Studied together, they answer any questions life presents and open one's eyes to God's healing power. Science and Health is Mrs. Eddy's primary work on her discovery. She has included chapters on such subjects as prayer, marriage, atonement, creation, physiology. There are also chapters exploring the spiritual meaning of the Scriptural books Genesis and Revelation, as well as of hundreds of other Bible citations and Biblical references. The book also includes a Glossary that offers a spiritual interpretation of Bible terms such as Angels, Christ, Jesus, God, Baptism, Miracle, Church, Temple, Creator, Mother, Father, Children. The last 100 pages, titled "Fruitage," are testimonials by those of Mrs. Eddy's time who were healed by reading the book. Our church magazines, for well over a century, have published similar verified accounts of spiritual healing. While we don't push Christian Science on anyone, our members welcome the opportunity to share from personal experience, to talk about how we can put into practice what we're learning about God's love. In our church, we're always learning. Even the most-experienced Christian Scientist continues to enlarge his spiritual understanding of God. So, whatever questions you ask could very well help us grow, too. What's involved in becoming a member of this branch church? Applications for membership in our church and in The Mother Church can be obtained from an usher at any service, from the Reading Room, or from our Clerk. Those accepted for membership must be living in accord with our church bylaws (available in our Reading Room) and be relying exclusively on Christian Science for healing. So, if you are very new in your study of Christian Science, our Membership Committee would generally encourage you to spend about a year growing your understanding and practice of Christian Science before making this commitment. During this precious time of making Christian Science your own, we want you to feel at home here and already a part of our church family. Please know we all stand ready to help and to offer loving support.
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