Eighty-Ninth edition
Manual of The Mother Church
The First Church of Christ
Scientist
In Boston, Massachusetts
BY
MARY BAKER EDDY
Discoverer and founder of Christian Science
And author of Science and Health with
Key to the Scriptures
PUBLISHED BY THE
TRUSTEES UNDER THE WILL OF MARY BAKER G. EDDY
BOSTON, U.S.A.
Authorized literature of
The first Church of Christ, Scientist
In Boston, Massachusetts
COPYRIGHT, 1895
_By_ CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Copyright renewed, 1923
COPYRIGHT 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1901
_By_ JAMES A. NEAL _and_ THOMAS W. HATTEN
Copyright renewed, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929
COPYRIGHT, 1903, 1904, 1906, 1908
_By_ MARY BAKER G. EDDY
Copyright renewed, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1936
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER IN "MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS"
_By Mary Baker Eddy_
The Rules and By-laws in the Manual of The First Church of Christ,
Scientist, Boston, originated not in solemn conclave as in ancient
Sanhedrim. They were not arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands,
such as one person might impose on another. They were impelled by
a power not one's own, were written at different dates, and as
the occasion required. They sprang from necessity, the logic of
events,--from the immediate demand for them as a help that must
be supplied to maintain the dignity and defense of our Cause;
hence their simple, scientific basis, and detail so requisite to
demonstrate genuine Christian Science, and which will do for the
race what absolute doctrines destined for future generations might
not accomplish.
TENETS
_of The Mother Church_
_The First Church of Christ, Scientist_
_To be signed by those uniting with The First Church of Christ,
Scientist, in Boston, Mass._
1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as
our sufficient guide to eternal Life.
2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We
acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter;
and man in God's image and likeness.
3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin
and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But
the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts.
4. We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine,
efficacious Love, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus
the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ,
through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet
in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.
5. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection
served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness
of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.
6. And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in
us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have
them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.
MARY BAKER EDDY
HISTORICAL SKETCH
In the spring of 1879, a little band of earnest seekers after Truth
went into deliberations over forming a church without creeds, to
be called the "CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST." They were members
of evangelical churches, and students of Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy in
Christian Science, and were known as "Christian Scientists."
At a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association, April 12, 1879,
on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,--To organize a church designed
to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should
reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.
Mrs. Eddy was appointed on the committee to draft the Tenets of the
Mother Church--the chief corner stone whereof is, that Christian
Science, as taught and demonstrated by our Master, casts out error,
heals the sick, and restores the lost Israel: for "the stone which
the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner."
The charter for the Church was obtained June, 1879,[1] and the same
month the members, twenty-six in number, extended a call to Mary
Baker Eddy to become their pastor. She accepted the call, and was
ordained A. D. 1881. Although walking through deep waters, the little
Church went steadily on, increasing in numbers, and at every epoch
saying,
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
On the twenty-third day of September, 1892, at the request of Rev.
Mary Baker Eddy, twelve of her students and Church members met and
reorganized, under her jurisdiction, the Christian Science Church
and named it, THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST.
At this meeting twenty others of Mrs. Eddy's students and members of
her former Church were elected members of this Church,--those with
others that have since been elected were known as "First Members."
The Church Tenets, Rules, and By-Laws, as prepared by Mrs. Eddy,
were adopted. A By-Law adopted March 17, 1903, changed the title of
"First Members" to "Executive Members." (On July 8, 1908, the By-Laws
pertaining to "Executive Members" were repealed.)
THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, IN BOSTON, MASS., is designed
to be built on the Rock, Christ; even the understanding and
demonstration of divine Truth, Life, and Love, healing and saving the
world from sin and death; thus to reflect in some degree the Church
Universal and Triumphant.
[1] Steps were taken to promote the Church of Christ, Scientist, in
April, May and June; formal organization was accomplished and the
charter obtained in August, 1879.
CHURCH OFFICERS
Rev. MARY BAKER EDDY Pastor Emeritus
GEORGE WENDELL ADAMS Christian Science Board of Directors
CHARLES E. HEITMAN
Mrs. NELVIA E. RITCHIE
FRANCIS LYSTER JANDRON
ALFRED PITTMAN
Mrs. HELEN CHAFFEE ELWELL President
THOMAS E. HURLEY First Reader
Conducts services and reads from
the Christian Science textbook,
"SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE
SCRIPTURES" by Mary Baker Eddy
Mrs. GEORGINA TENNANT Second Reader
Reads from the SCRIPTURES
GORDON V. COMER Clerk, 107 Falmouth Street,
Boston, Mass.
ROY GARRETT WATSON Treasurer, 107 Falmouth Street,
Boston, Mass.
1947-1948
CHURCH BY-LAWS
CHURCH OFFICERS
Article I--NAMES, ELECTION, AND DUTIES
Names. SECTION 1. The Church officers shall consist of the Pastor
Emeritus, a Board of Directors, a President, a Clerk, a Treasurer,
and two Readers.
President. SECTION 2. The President shall be elected, subject to the
approval of the Pastor Emeritus, by the Board of Directors[2] on
Monday preceding the annual meeting of the Church. The President
shall hold office for one year, and the same person is eligible for
election but once in three years.
[2] See under "Deed of Trust" for incorporation of the "Christian
Science Board of Directors."
Clerk and Treasurer. SECTION 3. The term of office for the Clerk and
the Treasurer of this Church (also for the editors and the manager
of The Christian Science Publishing Society, and the manager of the
general Committee on Publication in Boston) is one year each, dating
from the time of election to office. Incumbents who have served one
year or more, may be re-elected, or new officers elected, at the
annual meeting held for this purpose, by a unanimous vote of the
Christian Science Board of Directors and the consent of the Pastor
Emeritus given in her own handwriting.
Readers. SECTION 4. Every third year Readers shall be elected in The
Mother Church by the Board of Directors, which shall inform the
Pastor Emeritus of the names of its candidates before they are
elected; and if she objects, said candidates shall not be chosen.
The Directors shall fix the salaries of the Readers.
Directors. SECTION 5. The Christian Science Board of Directors shall
consist of five members. They shall fill a vacancy occurring on that
Board after the candidate is approved by the Pastor Emeritus. A
majority vote or the request of Mrs. Eddy shall dismiss a member.
Members shall neither report the discussions of this Board, nor those
with Mrs. Eddy.
Church Business. SECTION 6. The business of The Mother Church shall
be transacted by its Christian Science Board of Directors. The
manager of the general Committee on Publication in the United States
shall order no special action to be taken by said Committee that is
not named in the Manual of this Church without consulting with the
full Board of Directors of The Mother Church and receiving the
written consent of said Board.
Publishing Buildings. SECTION 7. It shall be the duty of the
Christian Science Board of Directors to provide a suitable building
for the publication of _The Christian Science Journal_, _Christian
Science Sentinel_, _Der Herold der Christian Science_, and all other
Christian Science literature published by The Christian Science
Publishing Society. It shall also be the duty of the Christian
Science Board of Directors to provide suitable rooms, conveniently
and pleasantly located in the same building, for the publication and
sale of the books of which Mary Baker Eddy is, or may be, the author,
and of other literature connected therewith.
Trusteeships and Syndicates. SECTION 8. Boards of Trustees and
Syndicates may be formed by The Mother Church, subject to the
approval of the Pastor Emeritus.
Duties of Church Officers. SECTION 9. Law constitutes government,
and disobedience to the laws of The Mother Church must ultimate
in annulling its Tenets and By-Laws. Without a proper system of
government and form of action, nations, individuals, and religion are
unprotected; hence the necessity of this By-Law and the warning of
Holy Writ: "That servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared
not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with
many stripes."
It is the duty of the Christian Science Board of Directors to watch
and make sure that the officers of this Church perform the functions
of their several offices promptly and well. If an officer fails to
fulfil all the obligations of his office, the Board of Directors
shall immediately call a meeting and notify this officer either to
resign his place or to perform his office faithfully; then failing to
do either, said officer shall be dismissed from this Church, and his
dismissal shall be written on the Church records.
It is the duty of any member of this Church, and especially of one
who has been or who is the First Reader of a church, to inform the
Board of Directors of the failure of the Committee on Publication or
of any other officer in this Church to perform his official duties.
A Director shall not make known the name of the complainant.
If the Christian Science Board of Directors fails to fulfil the
requirements of this By-Law, and a member of this Church or the
Pastor Emeritus shall complain thereof to the Clerk and the complaint
be found valid, the Directors shall resign their office or perform
their functions faithfully. Failing to do thus, the Pastor Emeritus
shall appoint five suitable members of this Church to fill the
vacancy. The salary of the members of the Board of Directors shall
be at present two thousand five hundred dollars each annually.
Article II--READERS OF THE MOTHER CHURCH
Election. SECTION 1. The Readers for The Mother Church shall be a man
and a woman, one to read the BIBLE, and one to read SCIENCE AND
HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES.
Eligibility. SECTION 2. The Directors shall select intelligible
Readers who are exemplary Christians and good English scholars.
They must be members of The Mother Church.
Removal. SECTION 3. If a Reader in The Mother Church be found at any
time inadequate or unworthy, he or she shall be removed from office
by a majority vote of the Board of Directors and the consent of the
Pastor Emeritus, and the vacancy supplied.
First Reader's Residence. SECTION 4. Unless Mrs. Eddy requests
otherwise, the First Reader of The Mother Church shall occupy, during
his term of Readership, the house of the Pastor Emeritus, No. 385
Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. The Board of Directors shall pay from
the Church funds the taxes and rent on this property; the Board shall
attend to the insurance before it expires, suitably furnish the
house, and keep the property in good repair, so long as Mrs. Eddy
does not occupy the house herself and the occupants are satisfactory
to her.
Article III--DUTIES OF READERS OF THE MOTHER CHURCH AND OF ITS
BRANCH CHURCHES
Moral Obligations. SECTION 1. The Readers of The Mother Church and of
all its branch churches must devote a suitable portion of their time
to preparation for the reading of the Sunday lesson,--a lesson on
which the prosperity of Christian Science largely depends. They
must keep themselves unspotted from the world,--uncontaminated with
evil,--that the mental atmosphere they exhale shall promote health
and holiness, even that spiritual _animus_ so universally needed.
First Readers' Duties. SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of the First
Readers to conduct the principal part of the Sunday services, and
the Wednesday evening meetings.
Suitable Selections. SECTION 3. The First Readers shall read, as
a part of the Wednesday evening services, selections from the
SCRIPTURES, and from SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES.
Order of Reading. SECTION 4. The First Readers in the Christian
Science churches shall read the correlative texts in SCIENCE AND
HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES; and the Second Readers shall read
the BIBLE texts. The readings from the SCRIPTURES shall precede the
readings from SCIENCE AND HEALTH. The Readers shall not read from
copies or manuscripts, but from the books.
Naming Book and Author. SECTION 5. The Readers of SCIENCE AND HEALTH
WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, before commencing to read from this book,
shall distinctly announce the full title of the book and give the
author's name. Such announcement shall be made but once during the
lesson.
Readers in Branch Churches. SECTION 6. These Readers shall be members
of The Mother Church. They shall read understandingly and be well
educated. They shall make no remarks explanatory of the LESSON-SERMON
at any time, but they shall read all notices and remarks that may be
printed in the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUARTERLY. This By-Law applies to
Readers in all the branch churches.
Enforcement of By-Laws. SECTION 7. It shall be the duty of every
member of The Mother Church, who is a First Reader in a Church of
Christ, Scientist, to enforce the discipline and by-laws of the
church in which he is Reader.
A Reader not a Leader. SECTION 8. The Church Reader shall not be a
Leader, but he shall maintain the Tenets, Rules, and discipline of
the Church. A Reader shall not be a President of a church.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Article IV--QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
Believe in Christian Science. SECTION 1. To become a member of The
Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston,
Mass., the applicant must be a believer in the doctrines of Christian
Science, according to the platform and teaching contained in the
Christian Science textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE
SCRIPTURES, by Rev. Mary Baker Eddy. The BIBLE, together with SCIENCE
AND HEALTH and other works by Mrs. Eddy, shall be his only textbooks
for self-instruction in Christian Science, and for teaching and
practising metaphysical healing.
Free from Other Denominations. SECTION 2. This Church will receive
a member of another Church of Christ, Scientist, but not a church
member from a different denomination until that membership is
dissolved.
Children when Twelve Years Old. SECTION 3. Children who have arrived
at the age of twelve years, who are approved, and whose applications
are countersigned by one of Mrs. Eddy's loyal students, by a
Director, or by a student of the Board of Education, may be admitted
to membership with The Mother Church.
Article V--APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
Students of the College. SECTION 1. Applications for membership with
The Mother Church from students of the Massachusetts Metaphysical
College who studied with Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, shall be signed by the
Christian Science Board of Directors as evidence of the loyalty of
the applicants.
Other Students. SECTION 2. Applicants for membership who have not
studied Christian Science with Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, can unite with
this Church only by approval from students of Mrs. Eddy, loyal to the
teachings of the textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE
SCRIPTURES, or from members of The Mother Church, as provided in
Article VI, Sect. 2, of these By-Laws.
Students' Pupils. SECTION 3. Applications for membership with The
Mother Church, coming from pupils of loyal students who have taken
the Primary or Normal Course at the Massachusetts Metaphysical
College or in the Board of Education, or from pupils of those who
have passed an examination by the Board of Education, shall have the
approval and signature of their teachers, except in such cases as are
provided for in Sect. 4 of this Article.
Exceptional Cases. SECTION 4. Loyal Christian Scientists whose
teachers are deceased, absent, or disloyal, or those whose teachers,
for insufficient cause, refuse to endorse their applications for
membership with The Mother Church,--can apply to the Clerk of this
Church, and present to him a recommendation signed by three members
thereof in good standing, after which, the unanimous vote of the
Board of Directors may admit said applicant to membership.
Addressed to Clerk. SECTION 5. All applications for membership must
be addressed to the Clerk of the Church.
Endorsing Applications. SECTION 6. A member of The Mother Church
shall not endorse nor countersign an application for membership
therewith until after the blank has been properly filled out by an
applicant. A member who violates this By-Law shall be disciplined.
Notice of Rejection. SECTION 7. If an application for membership with
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., is rejected,
the Clerk of the Church shall send to the applicant a notice of such
rejection; but neither the Clerk nor the Church shall be obliged to
report the cause for rejection.
Article VI--RECOMMENDATION AND ELECTION
Pupils of Normal Students. SECTION 1. One Normal student cannot
recommend the pupil of another Normal student, so long as both are
loyal to their Leader and to the Christian Science textbook, except
as provided for in Article V, Sect. 4.
Members of The Mother Church. SECTION 2. Only members of The Mother
Church are qualified to approve for membership individuals who are
known to them to be Christians, and faithful, loyal students of the
textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES. If the
approver is not a loyal student of Mrs. Eddy, a Director of this
Church, or a student of the Board of Education who holds a degree,
the application must be countersigned by one of these.
Election. SECTION 3. Applicants for membership in this Church, whose
applications are correctly prepared, may be elected by majority vote
of the Christian Science Board of Directors at the semi-annual
meetings held for this purpose.
Article VII--PROBATIONARY MEMBERSHIP
Members who once Withdrew. SECTION 1. Individuals who have heretofore
been members of this Church, or were members of the Church of Christ,
Scientist, organized in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy, but who have
voluntarily withdrawn, may be received into this Church on one year's
probation, provided they are willing and anxious to live according to
its requirements and make application for membership according to
its By-Laws. If, at the expiration of said one year, they are found
worthy, they shall be received into full membership, but if not found
worthy their applications shall be void.
Members once Dismissed. SECTION 2. A full member or a probationary
member, who has been excommunicated once, and who afterward, when
sufficient time has elapsed thoroughly to test his sincerity, gives
due evidence of having genuinely repented and of being radically
reformed, shall be eligible to probationary membership upon a
unanimous vote of the Christian Science Board of Directors.
Ineligible for Probation. SECTION 3. If a member has been twice
notified of his excommunication, he shall not again be received into
this Church.
DISCIPLINE
Article VIII--GUIDANCE OF MEMBERS
A Rule for Motives and Acts. SECTION 1. Neither animosity nor mere
personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members
of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man;
and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in
rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness.
The members of this Church should daily watch and pray to be
delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning,
counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously.
To be Read in Church. SECTION 2. The above Church Rule shall be read
in The Mother Church and in the branch churches by the First Reader
on the first Sunday of each month. On Communion day the Church Tenets
are to be read.
Christ Jesus the Ensample. SECTION 3. He who dated the Christian era
is the Ensample in Christian Science. Careless comparison or
irreverent reference to Christ Jesus is abnormal in a Christian
Scientist, and is prohibited. When it is necessary to show the
great gulf between Christian Science and theosophy, hypnotism, or
spiritualism, do it, but without hard words. The wise man saith,
"A soft answer turneth away wrath." However despitefully used and
misrepresented by the churches or the press, in return employ no
violent invective, and do good unto your enemies when the opportunity
occurs. A departure from this rule disqualifies a member for office
in the Church or on the Board of Lectureship, and renders this member
liable to discipline and, possibly, dismissal from The Mother Church.
Daily Prayer. SECTION 4. It shall be the duty of every member of this
Church to pray each day: "Thy kingdom come;" let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all
sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and
govern them!
Prayer in Church. SECTION 5. The prayers in Christian Science
churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and
exclusively.
Alertness to Duty. SECTION 6. It shall be the duty of every member
of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental
suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God,
to his Leader, and to mankind. By his works he shall be judged,--and
justified or condemned.
One Christ. SECTION 7. In accordance with the Christian Science
textbooks,--the BIBLE, and SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE
SCRIPTURES,--and in accord with all of Mrs. Eddy's teachings, members
of this Church shall neither entertain a belief nor signify a belief
in more than one Christ, even that Christ whereof the Scripture
beareth testimony.
No Malpractice. SECTION 8. Members will not intentionally or
knowingly mentally malpractise, inasmuch as Christian Science can
only be practised according to the Golden Rule: "All things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to
them." (Matt. 7:12.)
A member of The Mother Church who mentally malpractises upon or
treats our Leader or her staff without her or their consent shall be
disciplined, and a second offense as aforesaid shall cause the name
of said member to be dropped forever from The Mother Church.
Formulas Forbidden. SECTION 9. No member shall use written formulas,
nor permit his patients or pupils to use them, as auxiliaries to
teaching Christian Science or for healing the sick. Whatever is
requisite for either is contained in the books of the Discoverer and
Founder of Christian Science. Sometimes she may strengthen the faith
by a written text as no one else can.
No Adulterating Christian Science. SECTION 10. A member of this
Church shall not publish profuse quotations from Mary Baker Eddy's
copyrighted works without her permission, and shall not plagiarize
her writings. This By-Law not only calls more serious attention to
the commandment of the Decalogue, but tends to prevent Christian
Science from being _adulterated_.
No Incorrect Literature. SECTION 11. A member of this Church shall
neither buy, sell, nor circulate Christian Science literature which
is not correct in its statement of the divine Principle and rules and
the demonstration of Christian Science. Also the spirit in which the
writer has written his literature shall be definitely considered.
His writings must show strict adherence to the Golden Rule, or his
literature shall not be adjudged Christian Science. A departure from
the spirit or letter of this By-Law involves schisms in our Church
and the possible loss, for a time, of Christian Science.
Obnoxious Books. SECTION 12. A member of this Church shall not
patronize a publishing house or bookstore that has for sale obnoxious
books.
Per Capita Tax. SECTION 13. Every member of The Mother Church shall
pay annually a per capita tax of not less than one dollar, which
shall be forwarded each year to the Church Treasurer.
Church Periodicals. SECTION 14. It shall be the privilege and duty of
every member, who can afford it, to subscribe for the periodicals
which are the organs of this Church; and it shall be the duty of the
Directors to see that these periodicals are ably edited and kept
abreast of the times.
Church Organizations Ample. SECTION 15. Members of this Church shall
not unite with organizations which impede their progress in Christian
Science. God requires our whole heart, and he supplies within the
wide channels of The Mother Church dutiful and sufficient occupation
for all its members.
Joining Another Society. SECTION 16. It shall be the duty of the
members of The Mother Church and of its branches to promote peace on
earth and good will toward men; but members of The Mother Church
shall not hereafter become members of other societies except those
specified in the Mother Church Manual, and they shall strive to
promote the welfare of all mankind by demonstrating the rules of
divine Love.
Forbidden Membership. SECTION 17. A member of The First Church of
Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., shall not be a member of any
church whose Readers are not Christian Scientists and members of
The Mother Church.
Officious Members. SECTION 18. A member of The Mother Church is not
entitled to hold office or read in branch churches of this
denomination except by invitation.
Legal Titles. SECTION 19. Students of Christian Science must drop the
titles of Reverend and Doctor, except those who have received these
titles under the _laws_ of the _State_.
Illegal Adoption. SECTION 20. No person shall be a member of this
Church who claims a spiritually adopted child or a spiritually
adopted husband or wife. There must be legal adoption and legal
marriage, which can be verified according to the laws of our land.
Use of Initials "C.S." SECTION 21. A member of The Mother Church
shall not place the initials "C.S." after his name on circulars,
cards, or leaflets, which advertise his business or profession,
except as a Christian Science practitioner.
Practitioners and Patients. SECTION 22. Members of this Church shall
hold in sacred confidence all private communications made to them by
their patients; also such information as may come to them by reason
of their relation of practitioner to patient. A failure to do this
shall subject the offender to Church discipline.
A member of The Mother Church shall not, under pardonable
circumstances, sue his patient for recovery of payment for said
member's practice, on penalty of discipline and liability to have
his name removed from membership. Also he shall reasonably reduce
his price in chronic cases of recovery, and in cases where he has
not effected a cure. A Christian Scientist is a humanitarian; he
is benevolent, forgiving, long-suffering, and seeks to overcome
evil with good.
Duty to Patients. SECTION 23. If a member of this Church has a
patient whom he does not heal, and whose case he cannot fully
diagnose, he may consult with an M. D. on the anatomy involved. And
it shall be the privilege of a Christian Scientist to confer with
an M. D. on Ontology, or the Science of being.
Testimonials. SECTION 24. "Glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God's" (St. Paul). Testimony in regard to the
healing of the sick is highly important. More than a mere rehearsal
of blessings, it scales the pinnacle of praise and illustrates the
demonstration of Christ, "who healeth all thy diseases" (Psalm
103:3). This testimony, however, shall not include a description of
symptoms or of suffering, though the generic name of the disease may
be indicated. This By-Law applies to testimonials which appear in the
periodicals and to those which are given at the Wednesday evening
meeting.
Charity to All. SECTION 25. While members of this Church do not
believe in the doctrines of theosophy, hypnotism, or spiritualism,
they cherish no enmity toward those who do believe in such doctrines,
and will not harm them. But whenever God calls a member to bear
testimony to Truth and to defend the Cause of Christ, he shall do
it with love and without fear.
Uncharitable Publications. SECTION 26. A member of this Church
shall not publish, nor cause to be published, an article that is
uncharitable or impertinent towards religion, medicine, the courts,
or the laws of our land.
The Golden Rule. SECTION 27. A member of The Mother Church shall not
haunt Mrs. Eddy's drive when she goes out, continually stroll by her
house, or make a summer resort near her for such a purpose.
Numbering the People. SECTION 28. Christian Scientists shall not
report for publication the number of the members of The Mother
Church, nor that of the branch churches. According to the Scripture
they shall turn away from personality and numbering the people.
Our Church Edifices. SECTION 29. The periodicals of our denomination
do not publish descriptions of our church edifices, but they may
quote from other periodicals or give incidental narratives.
No Monopoly. SECTION 30. A Scientist shall not endeavor to monopolize
the healing work in any church or locality, to the exclusion of
others, but all who understand the teachings of Christian Science
are privileged to enter into this holy work, and "by their fruits ye
shall know them."
Christian Science Nurse. SECTION 31. A member of The Mother Church
who represents himself or herself as a Christian Science nurse
shall be one who has a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science
practice, who thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary
in a sick room, and who can take proper care of the sick.
The cards of such persons may be inserted in _The Christian Science
Journal_ under rules established by the publishers.
Article IX--MARRIAGE AND DECEASE
A Legal Ceremony. SECTION 1. If a Christian Scientist is to be
married, the ceremony shall be performed by a clergyman who is
legally authorized.
Sudden Decease. SECTION 2. If a member of The Mother Church shall
decease suddenly, without previous injury or illness, and the
cause thereof be unknown, an autopsy shall be made by qualified
experts. When it is possible the body of a female shall be prepared
for burial by _one of her own sex_.
Article X--DEBATING IN PUBLIC
No Unauthorized Debating. SECTION 1. A member of this Church shall
not debate on Christian Science in public debating assemblies,
without the consent of the Board of Directors.
Article XI--COMPLAINTS
Departure from Tenets. SECTION 1. If a member of this Church shall
depart from the Tenets and be found having the name without the life
of a Christian Scientist, and another member in good standing shall
from Christian motives make this evident, a meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be called, and the offender's case shall be tried and
said member exonerated, put on probation, or excommunicated.
Violation of By-Laws. SECTION 2. A member who is found violating any
of the By-Laws or Rules herein set forth, shall be admonished in
consonance with the Scriptural demand in Matthew 18:15-17; and if he
neglect to accept such admonition, he shall be placed on probation,
or if he repeat the offense, his name shall be dropped from the roll
of Church membership.
Violation of Christian Fellowship. SECTION 3. Any member who shall
unjustly aggrieve or vilify the Pastor Emeritus or another member, or
who does not live in Christian fellowship with members who are in
good and regular standing with this Church, shall either withdraw
from the Church or be excommunicated.
Preliminary Requirement. SECTION 4. No church discipline shall ensue
until the requirements according to the Scriptures, in Matthew
18:15-17, have been strictly obeyed, unless a By-Law governing the
case provides for immediate action.
Authority. SECTION 5. The Christian Science Board of Directors has
power to discipline, place on probation, remove from membership, or
to excommunicate members of The Mother Church. Only the members of
this Board shall be present at meetings for the examination of
complaints against church members; and they alone shall vote on cases
involving The Mother Church discipline.
Members in Mother Church Only. SECTION 6. A complaint against a
member of The Mother Church, _if said member belongs to no branch
church_ and if this complaint is not for _mental malpractice_, shall
be laid before this Board, and within ten days thereafter, the Clerk
of the Church shall address a letter of inquiry to the member
complained of as to the validity of the charge. If a member is found
guilty of that whereof he is accused and his previous character has
been good, his confession of his error and evidence of his compliance
with our Church Rules shall be deemed sufficient by the Board for
forgiveness for once, and the Clerk of the Church shall immediately
so inform him. But a second offense shall dismiss a member from the
Church.
Working Against the Cause. SECTION 7. If a member of this Church
shall, mentally or otherwise, persist in working against the
interests of another member, or the interests of our Pastor Emeritus
and the accomplishment of what she understands is advantageous to
this Church and to the Cause of Christian Science, or shall influence
others thus to act, upon her complaint or the complaint of a member
for her or for himself, it shall be the duty of the Board of
Directors immediately to call a meeting, and drop forever the name of
the member guilty of this offense from the roll of Church membership.
No Unchristian Conduct. SECTION 8. If a member of this Church were
to treat the author of our textbook disrespectfully and cruelly, upon
her complaint that member should be excommunicated. If a member,
without her having requested the information, shall trouble her on
subjects unnecessarily and without her consent, it shall be
considered an offense.
Not to Learn Hypnotism. SECTION 9. Members of this Church shall not
learn hypnotism on penalty of being excommunicated from this Church.
No member shall enter a complaint of mental malpractice for a
sinister purpose. If the author of SCIENCE AND HEALTH shall bear
witness to the offense of mental malpractice, it shall be considered
a sufficient evidence thereof.
Publications Unjust. SECTION 10. If a member of The Mother Church
publishes, or causes to be published, an article that is false or
unjust, hence injurious, to Christian Science or to its Leader, and
if, upon complaint by another member, the Board of Directors finds
that the offense has been committed, the offender shall be suspended
for not less than three years from his or her office in this Church
and from Church membership.
The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, Tenets. SECTION 11. If a
member of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, or a member of a
branch of this Church break the rules of its Tenets as to unjust
and unmerciful conduct--on complaint of Mrs. Eddy our Pastor
Emeritus--and this complaint being found valid, his or her name
shall be erased from The Mother Church and the branch church's list
of membership and the offender shall not be received into The Mother
Church or a branch church for twelve years.
Special Offense. SECTION 12. If a member of this Church, either by
word or work, represents falsely to or of the Leader and Pastor
Emeritus, said member shall immediately be disciplined, and a second
similar offense shall remove his or her name from membership in The
Mother Church.
Members of Branch Churches. SECTION 13. A member of both The Mother
Church and a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, or a Reader, shall
not report nor send notices to The Mother Church, or to the Pastor
Emeritus, of errors of the members of their local church; but they
shall strive to overcome these errors. Each church shall separately
and independently discipline its own members,--if this sad necessity
occurs.
Article XII--TEACHERS
Probation. SECTION 1. For sufficient reasons it may be decided that a
teacher has so strayed as not to be fit for the work of a Reader in
church or a teacher of Christian Science. Although repentant and
forgiven by the Church and retaining his membership, this weak member
shall not be counted loyal till after three years of exemplary
character. Then the Board of Directors may decide if his loyalty has
been proved by uniform maintenance of the life of a consistent,
consecrated Christian Scientist.
Misteaching. SECTION 2. If a member of this Church is found trying to
practise or to teach Christian Science contrary to the statement
thereof in its textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE
SCRIPTURES, it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to
admonish that member according to Article XI, Sect. 4. Then, if said
member persists in this offense, his or her name shall be dropped
from the roll of this Church.
MEETINGS
Article XIII--REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
Annual Meetings. SECTION 1. The regular meetings of The Mother Church
shall be held annually, on Monday following the first Sunday in June.
No other than its of officers are required to be present. These
assemblies shall be for listening to the reports of Treasurer, Clerk,
and Committees, and general reports from the Field.
Meetings of Board of Directors. SECTION 2. The annual meeting of the
Christian Science Board of Directors, for electing officers and other
business, shall be held on Monday preceding the annual meeting of the
Church. Regular meetings for electing candidates to membership with
The Mother Church, and for the transaction of such other business as
may properly come before these meetings, shall be held on the Friday
preceding the first Sunday in June, and on the first Friday in
November of each year. Special meetings may be held at any time upon
the call of the Clerk.
Called only by the Clerk. SECTION 3. Before calling a meeting of the
members of this Church (excepting its regular sessions) it shall be
the duty of the Clerk to inform the Board of Directors and the Pastor
Emeritus of his intention, and to state definitely the purpose for
which the members are to convene. The Clerk must have the consent of
this Board and the Pastor Emeritus, before he can call said meeting.
CHURCH SERVICES
Article XIV--THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PASTOR
Ordination. SECTION 1. I, Mary Baker Eddy, ordain the BIBLE, and
SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, Pastor over The
Mother Church,--The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston,
Mass.,--and they will continue to preach for this Church and the
world.
The Lesson-Sermon. SECTION 2. The subject of the Lesson-Sermon in the
morning service of The Mother Church, and of the branch Churches of
Christ, Scientist, shall be repeated at the other services on Sunday.
The correlative Biblical texts in the Lesson-Sermon shall extend from
Genesis to Revelation.
Article XV--READING IN PUBLIC
Announcing Author's Name. SECTION 1. To pour into the ears
of listeners the sacred revelations of Christian Science
indiscriminately, or without characterizing their origin and thus
distinguishing them from the writings of authors who think at random
on this subject, is to lose some weight in the scale of right
thinking. Therefore it is the duty of every member of this Church,
when publicly reading or quoting from the books or poems of our
Pastor Emeritus, first to announce the name of the author. Members
shall also instruct their pupils to adopt the aforenamed method for
the benefit of our Cause.
Article XVI--WELCOMING STRANGERS
The Leader's Welcome. SECTION 1. Mrs. Eddy welcomes to her seats in
the church, persons of all sects and denominations who come to listen
to the Sunday sermon and are not otherwise provided with seats.
The Local Members' Welcome. SECTION 2. It shall be the duty and
privilege of the local members of The Mother Church to give their
seats, if necessary, to strangers who may come to attend the morning
services.
Article XVII--SERVICES UNINTERRUPTED
Continued Throughout the Year. SECTION 1. The services of The Mother
Church shall be continued twelve months each year. One meeting on
Sunday during the months of July and August is sufficient. A
Christian Scientist is not fatigued by prayer, by reading the
Scriptures or the Christian Science textbook. Amusement or idleness
is weariness. Truth and Love rest the weary and heavy laden.
Easter Observances. SECTION 2. In the United States there shall be no
special observances, festivities, nor gifts at the Easter season by
members of The Mother Church. Gratitude and love should abide in
every heart each day of all the years. Those sacred words of our
beloved Master, "Let the dead bury their dead," and "Follow thou me,"
appeal to daily Christian endeavors for the living whereby to
exemplify our risen Lord.
Laying a Corner Stone. SECTION 3. No large gathering of people nor
display shall be allowed when laying the Corner Stone of a Church of
Christ, Scientist. Let the ceremony be devout. No special trowel
should be used. (See SCIENCE AND HEALTH, page 140.)
Overflow Meetings. SECTION 4. A Church of Christ, Scientist, shall
not hold two or more Sunday services at the same hour.
Article XVIII--COMMUNION
No more Communion. SECTION 1. The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist,
shall observe no more Communion seasons.
Communion of Branch Churches. SECTION 2. The Communion shall be
observed in the branch churches on the second Sunday in January and
July of each year, and at this service the Tenets of The Mother
Church are to be read.
Article XIX--MUSIC IN THE CHURCH
Soloist and Organist. SECTION 1. The music in The Mother Church shall
not be operatic, but of an appropriate religious character and of a
recognized standard of musical excellence; it shall be played in a
dignified and suitable manner. Music from the organ alone should
continue about eight or nine minutes for the voluntary and six or
seven minutes for the postlude, the offertory conforming to the time
required to take the collection. The solo singer shall not neglect
to sing any special hymn selected by the Board of Directors.
Article XX--SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School. SECTION 1. Pupils may be received in the Sunday
School classes of any Church of Christ, Scientist, up to the age of
twenty years, and by transfer from another Church of Christ,
Scientist, up to that age, but no pupil shall remain in the Sunday
School of any Church of Christ, Scientist, after reaching the age of
twenty. None except the officers, teachers, and pupils should attend
the Sunday School exercises.
Teaching the Children. SECTION 2. The Sabbath School children shall
be taught the Scriptures, and they shall be instructed according to
their understanding or ability to grasp the simpler meanings of the
divine Principle that they are taught.
Subject for Lessons. SECTION 3. The first lessons of the children
should be the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 3-17), the Lord's Prayer
(Matt. 6: 9-13), and its Spiritual Interpretation by Mary Baker Eddy,
Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5: 3-12). The next lessons consist of such
questions and answers as are adapted to a juvenile class, and may be
found in the Christian Science Quarterly Lessons, read in Church
services. The instruction given by the children's teachers must not
deviate from the absolute Christian Science contained in their
textbook.
READING ROOMS
Article XXI
Establishment. SECTION 1. Each church of the Christian Science
denomination shall have a Reading Room, though two or more churches
may unite in having Reading Rooms, provided these rooms are well
located.
Librarian. SECTION 2. The individuals who take charge of the Reading
Rooms of The Mother Church shall be elected by the Christian Science
Board of Directors, subject to the approval of Mary Baker Eddy. He or
she shall have no bad habits, shall have had experience in the Field,
shall be well educated, and a devout Christian Scientist.[3]
Literature in Reading Rooms. SECTION 3. The literature sold or
exhibited in the reading rooms of Christian Science Churches shall
consist only of _Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures_,
by Mary Baker Eddy, and other writings by this author; also the
literature published or sold by The Christian Science Publishing
Society.
[3] See also Article XXV, Sect. 7.
RELATION AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS TO PASTOR EMERITUS
Article XXII
The Title of Mother Changed. SECTION 1. In the year eighteen hundred
and ninety-five, loyal Christian Scientists had given to the author
of their textbook, the Founder of Christian Science, the individual,
endearing term of Mother. At first Mrs. Eddy objected to being called
thus, but afterward consented on the ground that this appellative in
the Church meant nothing more than a tender term such as sister or
brother. In the year nineteen hundred and three and after, owing to
the public misunderstanding of this name, it is the duty of Christian
Scientists to drop the word _mother_ and to substitute Leader,
already used in our periodicals.
A Member not a Leader. SECTION 2. A member of The First Church of
Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., shall not be called Leader by
members of this Church, when this term is used in connection with
Christian Science.
Obedience Required. SECTION 3. It shall be the duty of the officers
of this Church, of the editors of the _Christian Science Journal_,
_Sentinel_, and _Der Herold_, of the members of the Committees on
Publication, of the Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing
Society, and of the Board of Education promptly to comply with any
written order, signed by Mary Baker Eddy, which applies to their
official functions. Disobedience to this By-Law shall be sufficient
cause for the removal of the offending member from office.
The vacancy shall be supplied by a majority vote of the Christian
Science Board of Directors, and the candidate shall be subject to
the approval of Mary Baker Eddy.
Understanding Communications. SECTION 4. If the Clerk of this Church
shall receive a communication from the Pastor Emeritus which he does
not fully understand, he shall inform her of this fact before
presenting it to the Church and obtain a clear understanding of the
matter,--then act in accordance therewith.
Interpreting Communications. SECTION 5. If at a meeting of this
Church a doubt or disagreement shall arise among the members as to
the signification of the communications of the Pastor Emeritus to
them, before action is taken it shall be the duty of the Clerk to
report to her the vexed question and to await her explanation thereof.
Reading and Attesting Letters. SECTION 6. When a letter or a message
from the Pastor Emeritus is brought before a meeting of this Church,
or she is referred to as authority for business, it shall be the duty
of the Church to inquire if all of the letter has been read, and to
require all of it to be read; also to have any authority supposed to
come from her satisfactorily attested.