Writings

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1875) 

This is the foundational textbook of Christian Science. It presents Eddy’s system of healing, explaining the inspired meaning of the Bible, especially the words and actions of Jesus Christ. “That work is the outgrowth of my whole life,” she wrote to a student. Science and Health has 18 chapters, including “Prayer,” “Marriage,” “Science, Theology, and Medicine,” and “Christian Science Practice.” The last 100 pages include personal statements from those who were healed by reading the book. Science and Health has sold over 10 million copies and is available in 16 language translations and English Braille.

Christian Healing (1886) 

Here Eddy explains how the moral and physical healings performed by Jesus and his early followers are still possible and intrinsic to Christian practice today. She originally delivered this as a sermon.

The People’s Idea of God—Its Effect on Health and Christianity (1886) 

This short publication examines how  a growing understanding of God can transform one’s daily health and promote progress in demonstrating scientific Christianity. Eddy looks at how individuals’ lives are influenced by their views of God and discusses the power of spiritual ideas. She originally delivered this as a sermon.

No and Yes (1887) 

This text initially served as Eddy’s response to a local pastor’s denunciation of Christian Science. It clarifies the teachings of Christian Science and shows how they differ from other faith traditions. She explains how Christian Science was founded wholly on the healing ministry of Jesus.

Rudimental Divine Science (1887) 

This work answers some of the most commonly asked questions about Christian Science, providing a concise explanation of its theology. Through a question-and-answer format, Eddy offers spiritual insights on questions including these: “Is there no matter?”; “Is man material or spiritual?”; and “How should I undertake to demonstrate Christian Science in healing the sick?”

Unity of Good (1887) 

In this publication Eddy explores the nature of God as supreme good and shows how the understanding of this enables one to prove evil powerless. She addresses this topic through subjects such as these: “Does God know or behold sin, sickness, and death?”; “Is There no Death?”; and “The Saviour’s Mission.”

Retrospection and Introspection (1891) 

In this short autobiography, Eddy writes briefly about her early life and the events  leading to her discovery of Christian Science. She explains what it means to earnestly follow and practice Jesus’ teachings and offers counsel that is instructive to students of Christian Science today. She also shares insights about writing her principal work, Science and Health, and the founding of The First Church of Christ, Scientist.

Christ and Christmas (1893) 

This uniquely visual 15-verse poem is accompanied by 11 charcoal and wash color drawings, created in a collaboration between Eddy and artist James Franklin Gilman (1850–1929).

Manual of The Mother Church (1895) 

This concise set of By-Laws continues to guide the activities of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, including classes on Christian Science healing, public lectures, and church services. It outlines the unique system of government Eddy established for The Mother Church and provides direction on the individual practice of Christian healing as she taught it.

Pulpit and Press (1895) 

This book contains Eddy’s 1895 dedicatory sermon for The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and extracts from the service. It also includes newspaper accounts that chronicle the birth of Christian Science and share some of the movement’s progress over a 30-year period beginning in 1866.

Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896 (1896) 

This collection includes articles, addresses, letters, and poems, based on Eddy’s experiences in putting her system of healing into practice. Topics include mental healing, forgiveness, angels, and marriage. She considered it a book that would help readers better understand Science and Health and included dozens of letters from people healed by reading that work.

Christian Science versus Pantheism (1898) 

This is Eddy’s 1898 message to the Church of Christ, Scientist. It discusses how the First Commandment provides the foundation of Christian Science and explains that pantheistic beliefs have no relation to the concept of one universal God.

Message to The Mother Church for 1900 (1900) 

Here Eddy addresses the empowering and healing effects of genuine Christianity, which come about through obedience to God and love for humanity as Jesus taught.

Message to The Mother Church for 1901 (1901) 

This work offers insight into the nature of God’s infinitude; Christ; the Pastor of the Church of Christ, Scientist; medicine; and other topics relevant to the practice of Christian Science.

Message to The Mother Church for 1902 (1902) 

Here Eddy takes an in-depth look at the First Commandment, God’s nature as infinite Love, and Jesus’ commandment to love one another—all foundational teachings imperative to the practice of her religion.

Poems (1910) 

This book was originally published as a gift edition for Eddy’s friends, who encouraged her to make it publicly available. It contains 48 original poems written throughout her life, beginning in childhood. Seven of the poems have been set to music and appear in the Christian Science Hymnal.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany (1913) 

Eddy compiled and edited this two-part book. Part I (“The First Church of Christ, Scientist”) describes the building of The Mother Church Extension in Boston. Writings by Eddy, as well as newspaper articles from across North America, detail this significant architectural achievement and the development of the Christian Science movement. Part II (“Miscellany”) consists of messages Eddy wrote to support and encourage her church.

All the above titles appear in Prose Works (first issued in 1925), with the exception of Science and Health, Christ and Christmas, the Church Manual, and Poems.