So was it with the author. As a certain poet says of himself, she "lisped in numbers, for the numbers ix:12 came." Certain essays written at that early date are still in circulation among her first pupils; but they are feeble attempts to state the Principle and practice of ix:15 Christian healing, and are not complete nor satisfac- tory expositions of Truth. To-day, though rejoicing in some progress, she still finds herself a willing dis- ix:18 ciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ. Her first pamphlet on Christian Science was copy- ix:21 righted in 1870; but it did not appear in print until 1876, as she had learned that this Science must be 1876, as she had learned that this Science must be demonstrated by healing, before a work on the subject ix:24 could be profitably studied. From 1867 until 1875, copies were, however, in friendly circulation. Before writing this work, SCIENCE AND HEALTH, she ix:27 made copious notes of Scriptural exposition, which have never been published. This was during the years 1867 and 1868. These efforts show her comparative ix:30 ignorance of the stupendous Life-problem up to that time, and the degrees by which she came at length to its solution; but she values them as a parent x:1 may treasure the memorials of a child's growth, and she would not have them changed. x:3 The first edition of SCIENCE AND HEALTH was pub- lished in 1875. Various books on mental healing have since been issued, most of them incorrect in theory x:6 and filled with plagiarisms from SCIENCE AND HEALTH. They regard the human mind as a healing agent, whereas this mind is not a factor in the Principle of x:9 Christian Science. A few books, however, which are based on this book, are useful. The author has not compromised conscience to suit x:12 the general drift of thought, but has bluntly and hon- estly given the text of Truth. She has made no effort to embellish, elaborate, or treat in full detail so in- x:15 finite a theme. By thousands of well-authenticated cases of healing, she and her students have proved the worth of her teachings. These cases for the most part x:18 have been abandoned as hopeless by regular medical attendants. Few invalids will turn to God till all physical supports have failed, because there is so little x:21 faith in His disposition and power to heal disease.