Below is a timeline that charts the early history of the Christian Science Quarterly. This publication contains the weekly Lesson-Sermons distributed by The Christian Science Publishing Society, which Mary Baker Eddy designated for study outside of church services:
1885: Christian Science Sunday Schools, mainly adult classes, use The Pilgrim Quarterly for Senior Classes, an interdenominational Bible study publication.
1888 (August): “Bible Lessons” are published in The Christian Science Journal, based on the International Series, an interdenominational Bible study publication. They include notes by Frank E. Mason, Assistant Pastor of the Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston.
1890 (January): Christian Science Bible Lessons prepared by a committee are published in a separate periodical. At first issued monthly, this becomes a quarterly publication in April. The committee uses the scriptural texts of the International Series, adding citations from Science and Health.
1894 (December): Eddy ordains the Bible and Science and Health as Pastor of The Mother Church.
1895 (January): Bible Lessons in the Quarterly are used for Sunday sermons.
1895 (April): The Bible and Science and Health become Pastor for all churches of Christ, Scientist.
1898: Eddy develops 26 Lesson-Sermon subjects. These appear for the first time in the July–September Quarterly. The publication also continues to carry Lessons based on the International Series, for use in instances where a second Sunday service is held.
1899 (April): Lessons based on the International Series are discontinued.
Two articles on this subject provide further historical context for the Quarterly and the Bible Lessons:
- “A lesson, a sermon, a pastor: A past look at the Christian Science Bible Lesson” (Christian Science Sentinel, November 19, 2007)
- “Touching on ‘the Eternities’: A brief history of the Christian Science Bible Lessons” (The Christian Science Journal, March 2012)
