of all things pure; and none but the pure could first state this Principle, could know yet more and more of the Infinite, could utilize Truth, and absolutely reduce the demonstration of Spirit, in Divine Science, to the apprehension of the age.
I wrote also, at this period, comments on the Scriptures, setting forth their spiritual interpretation, the Science of the Bible, and so laid the foundation of my work called Science and Health, published in 1875.
If these notes and comments, which have never been read by anyone but myself, were published, it would serve to prove how little I then really understood of Christian Science. Like all great truths, this developed itself to me gradually. These early comments are valuable to me as waymarks of progress, which I would not have effaced, — but not as spiritual finalities.
Up to that time I had not fully grasped the Life-faith, now so precious to me. Naturally, my first jottings were but efforts after Truth, reaching out prayerfully, in the night of belief. In Longfellow's language:
But the feeble hands and helpless,
Groping blindly in the darkness,
Touch God's right hand in that darkness,
And are lifted up and strengthened.
The divine hand led me into a new world of light and Life. As a child prattles to its mother of what it sees and hears, though not fully comprehending the world-vision, so my heart overflowed in words, a few of which were committed to paper; but those scribblings were like those of a newborn child , who sees a fresh universe — old to God , but new to the little one.
During these years of prayerful study and reflection, it became evident to me that the Divine Mind alone must answer me, and be found as the Life, or Principle, of all being; and that I must acquaint myself with God, if I would be at peace. He must be mine practically, guiding my every thought and action; else I could not
