Book Synopsis
Segments from the 'Preface' of Prose Works by Mary Baker Eddy:
 "The opportunity has at length offered itself for me to comply with an oft-repeated request; namely, to collect my miscellaneous writings published in The Christian Science Journal, since April, 1883, and republish them in book form, - accessible as reference, and reliable as old landmarks. Owing to the manifold demands on my time in the early pioneer days, most of these articles
were originally written in haste, without due preparation. To those heretofore in print, a few articles are herein appended. To some articles are affixed data, where these are most requisite, to serve as mile-stones measuring the distance, - or the difference between then and now, - in the opinions of men and the progress of our Cause.
. . .
These pages, although a reproduction of what has been written, are still in advance of their time; and are richly rewarded by what they have hitherto achieved for the race. While no offering can liquidate one's debt of gratitude to God, the fervent heart and willing hand are not unknown to nor unrewarded by Him.
May this volume be to the reader a graphic guidebook, pointing the path, dating the unseen, and enabling him to walk the untrodden in the hitherto unexplored
fields of Science. At each recurring holiday the Christian Scientist will find herein a "canny" crumb; and thus may time's pastimes become footsteps to joys eternal.
Realism will at length be found to surpass imagination, and to suit and savor all literature. The shuttlecock of religious intolerance will fall to the ground, if there be no battledores to fling it back and forth. It is reason for rejoicing that the vox populi is inclined to grant us peace, together with pardon for the preliminary battles that purchased it.
With tender tread, thought sometimes walks in memory, through the dim corridors of years, on to old battlegrounds, there sadly to survey the fields of the slain and the enemy's losses. In compiling this work, I have tried to remove the pioneer signs and ensigns of war, and to retain at this date the privileged armaments of peace.
With armor on, I continue the march, command and countermand; meantime interluding with loving thought this afterpiece of battle. Supported, cheered, I take my pen and pruning-hook, to "learn war no more," and with strong wing to lift my readers above the smoke of conflict into light and liberty.
Mary Baker Eddy
Concord, N. H.
January, 1897 |