Calling All “Science and Health” Editions!

It’s amazing to think that in our lifetime, we may come across an older edition of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. Some may be discovered in a box in a grandparent’s attic; others might be found on a shelf at a local branch Church of Christ, Scientist. One Longyear tour attendee recalls a friend gifting her an early edition. And they come from all over: Longyear’s Librarian, Karl Taglier, remembers receiving a donation from someone in the Southwest corner of the United States featuring the autograph of a Christian Science teacher from the Midwest.

In all, there are 418 numbered editions of Science and Health, which was first published in 1875. After 1906, edition numbers were discontinued, even though the book continued to be printed. Each edition number and date can be found on the title page of the book.

In the 1800s, when an edition of a book was created, it usually meant that 1,000 copies were printed. The word “edition” didn’t necessarily indicate that changes were made to the text. However, thousands of edits were made over the years, both large and small—from the addition of a chapter to the capitalization of a word.

Such revisions were to exact “the language or Spirit”¹ or the new tongue described by Mark in the Bible.² As the final edition of Science and Health explains, Mrs. Eddy’s early writings on Christian Science “… were only infantile lispings of Truth.”³ But through her practice and growing understanding of Spirit, she wrote, “I have revised Science and Health only to give a clearer and fuller expression of its original meaning.”⁴

Longyear Museum’s goal is to have five copies of every edition of Science and Health through Mrs. Eddy’s lifetime—copies preserved in the museum’s vault; certain copies suitable for research; and a copy of each of the first 418 editions on display in the museum’s main exhibit, “Mary Baker Eddy: A Spiritual Journey,” at the Mott Gallery. A floor to ceiling climate-controlled bookcase features the various editions of Science and Health and illustrates Mrs. Eddy’s labor over 35 years to articulate her discovery of Christian Science. Near the bookcase are the words, “To proclaim His Gospel to this age”⁵—a citation from Science and Health that describes the mission the author embarked on to bring this book to the world.

So what are the white spaces peppered throughout the Mott Gallery bookshelf? These are placeholders for the remaining 25 historic editions of Science and Health that the museum is currently seeking. “We’re very grateful when people want to donate them to us,” says Karl Taglier.

Longyear Museum recently acquired two missing editions in the last year (editions 266 and 334), thanks to our generous donors. With a heart full of gratitude, Senior Manager of Collections Sarah Sampson had the joy of opening the lock to the bookcase to place our latest acquisitions.

We invite you to seek and consider sharing the remaining early editions of Science and Health to showcase Mrs. Eddy’s decades-long dedication to refining this textbook. If you are interested in preserving any of the following editions at Longyear Museum for future generations, contact Karl at 617.278.9000, Ext. 350 or email him at [email protected]: