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Christian Science

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Christian Science is here in full — 304 sentences across 61 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.
It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word all means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that all means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.
And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says all means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.
Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.
The Christian world has two Infallibles now.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Christian Science

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Christian Science is here in full — 304 sentences across 61 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.
Line 2
It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the wordallmeans all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote thatallmeans only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.
/ɪt meɪ biː ðæt wʌn ˈmembər ʌv ðə ʃɪft wɪl voʊt ðæt ðə wɜːrd ɔːl miːnz ɔːl ɪt meɪ biː ðæt ten ˈmembərz ʌv ðə ʃɪft wɪl voʊt ðæt ɔːl miːnz ˈoʊnli ə pərˈsentədʒ bʌt ɪt ɪz ˈmɪsɪz ˈedi nɑːt ðə ɪˈlevən huː wɪl duː ðə ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪŋ/
Line 3
And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she saysallmeans all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.
Line 4
Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.
Line 5
The Christian world has two Infallibles now.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

dividend noun US /ˈdɪvɪdend/

that part of the earnings of a corporation that is distributed to its shareholders; usually paid quarterly

From this reading “And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.”

exploit verb US /ˈeksplɔɪt/

use or manipulate to one's advantage

From this reading “Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.”

follower noun US /ˈfɑːloʊər/

a person who accepts the leadership of another

From this reading “And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.”

infallibility noun US /ˌɪnfælɪˈbɪlɪti/

the quality of never making an error

From this reading “THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.”

inflate verb US /ɪnˈfleɪt/

exaggerate or make bigger

From this reading “And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.”

percentage noun US /pərˈsentədʒ/

a proportion in relation to a whole (which is usually the amount per hundred)

From this reading “It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.”

reconstruct verb US /ˌriːkənˈstrʌkt/

reassemble mentally

From this reading “And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.”

Spiral noun US /ˈspaɪrəl/

a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center

From this reading “Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.”

All words in this reading · 99

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

allowedverbUS /əˈlaʊd/

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

ChristianadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪstʃən/

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

CommandmentnounUS /kəˈmændmənt/

something that is commanded

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

decidingnounUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪŋ/

the cognitive process of reaching a decision

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

dividendnounUS /ˈdɪvɪdend/

that part of the earnings of a corporation that is distributed to its shareholders; usually paid quarterly

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

doesn't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

EddyverbUS /ˈedi/

flow in a circular current, of liquids

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

Eddy's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

elevenadjectiveUS /ɪˈlevən/

being one more than ten

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

exegesisnoun

an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible)

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

exploitverbUS /ˈeksplɔɪt/

use or manipulate to one's advantage

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/

a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

followernounUS /ˈfɑːloʊər/

a person who accepts the leadership of another

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

forevermoreadverb

at any future time; in the future

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The Christian world has two Infallibles now.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

herspronounUS /hərz/

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

holdverbUS /hoʊld/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

INFALLIBILITYnounUS /ˌɪnfælɪˈbɪlɪti/

the quality of never making an error

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

Infallibles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Christian world has two Infallibles now.

inflateverbUS /ɪnˈfleɪt/

exaggerate or make bigger

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

meddleverbUS /ˈmedəl/

intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere unwantedly

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

membernounUS /ˈmembər/

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

membersnounUS /ˈmembərz/

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

NEWadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The Christian world has two Infallibles now.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

percentagenounUS /pərˈsentədʒ/

a proportion in relation to a whole (which is usually the amount per hundred)

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

pooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/

blessed with privileges

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

reconstructverbUS /ˌriːkənˈstrʌkt/

reassemble mentally

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

regardsnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdz/

plural of “regard” — (usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

SciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

sellverbUS /sel/

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

shiftverbUS /ʃɪft/

make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/

wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

solenounUS /soʊl/

the underside of footwear or a golf club

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

SpiralnounUS /ˈspaɪrəl/

a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

tennounUS /ten/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

to-day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

TwistverbUS /twɪst/

to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)

From this reading Even to-day--right here in the beginning--she is the sole person who, in the matter of Christian Science exegesis, is privileged to exploit the Spiral Twist.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The Christian world has two Infallibles now.

votenounUS /voʊt/

a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading THE NEW INFALLIBILITY All in proper time Mrs. Eddy's factory will take hold of that Commandment, and explain it for good and all.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading And if she says it is percentage, then percentage it is, forevermore--and that is what I am expecting, for she doesn't sell all herself, nor any considerable part of it, and as regards the poor, she doesn't declare any dividend; but if she says “all” means all, then all it is, to the end of time, and no follower of hers will ever be allowed to reconstruct that text, or shrink it, or inflate it, or meddle with it in any way at all.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading It may be that one member of the shift will vote that the word “all” means all; it may be that ten members of the shift will vote that “all” means only a percentage; but it is Mrs. Eddy, not the eleven, who will do the deciding.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The Christian world has two Infallibles now.

Chapter 17 of Christian Science by Mark Twain holds 304 sentences, grouped into 61 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 17 of Christian Science contain?

Chapter 17 holds 304 sentences of Christian Science, unabridged, divided into 61 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of Christian Science by Mark Twain exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 304 sentences, grouped into 61 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 17 of Christian Science?

Work through the 61 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 61 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Christian Science

Common questions about reading Christian Science by Mark Twain on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Christian Science?

Yes. All 2957 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3187 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Christian Science is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3187, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Christian Science take to read?

About 246 minutes of reading across 592 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Christian Science section by section

How to work through Christian Science section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of Christian Science to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Christian Science

Words and structures a reader meets early in Christian Science, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Vienna
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christian Science; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Summer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christian Science; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Appetite-cure
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christian Science; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mountains
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christian Science; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.