A Collection of Writings on Christian Science

de Lange, Hendrik J. A Collection of Writings on Christian Science. New York: Hillcrest Associates, 1980.

The Collection was compiled posthumously by Margaret E. Williams, presumably a pupil of de Lange’s. In her foreword, Williams notes the dates of de Lange’s extensive service and involvement in the Christian Science movement from 1911 (in Amsterdam, Holland) through the termination of his registration as practitioner and teacher in 1955. Prior to his removal from office, he had written for the Christian Science periodicals and lectured on behalf of the church for 22 years. This book consists of 51 articles and 6 addresses published or delivered after his removal from office, plus one of his officially sanctioned lectures. In the first article, “The State of the Christian Science Movement,” de Lange explains why he was then “forced to do something he [was] very much loathe to do” (5): draw attention to the mistaken direction of the Christian Science Board of Directors. His greatest complaints included their interference with local self-government (prohibited by the Manual of the Mother Church), assuming “to possess near infallibility in exercising their duties” (8), and creating a tight organization with a centralized dictatorial hierarchy (233). He argues that they were creating institutions of ‘group-mind,’ instead of Mind-conscious individuals. Most of the rest of the articles in the book are inspirational in nature on contemporaneous and practical topics.

This reference is written by an ‘independent’ Christian Scientist and is included in the bibliography because of its historical value. For further explanation, click here.