Church Manual
NOTE: This
edition of the Church Manual--the
Eighty-eighth--was the last authorized editon by Mary Baker
Eddy
Manual of The
Mother Church
The First
Church of Christ
Scientist
In Boston,
Massachusetts
BY
MARY BAKER EDDY
EIGHTY-EIGHTH
EDITION
BOSTON, U.S.A.
Published by Allison V.
Stewart
FALMOUTH AND ST. PAUL
STREETS
1910
COPYRIGHT, 1895
By CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COPYRIGHT 1895, 1896, 1897,
1898, 1899, 1901
By JAMES A. NEAL and THOMAS W. HATTEN
COPYRIGHT, 1903, 1904, 1906,
1908
By MARY BAKER G. EDDY
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER IN
"MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS"
By Mary Baker
Eddy
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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. |
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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.
[*From Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.]
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;
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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 under-
stand 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
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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 19, 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:
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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,* 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.)
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THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, IN BOS-
TON, 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.
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found ** |
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CHURCH OFFICERS
Rev. MARY BAKER
EDDY
Pastor
Emeritus
Christian Science Board of
Directors
IRA O. KNAPP
STEPHEN A. CHASE
ARCHIBALD McCLELLAN
ALLISON V. STEWART
JOHN V. DITTEMORE
WILLIAM D. BALDWIN
President
Judge CLIFFORD P. SMITH
First Reader
Conducts services and reads from
the Christian Science textbook,
"SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE
SCRIPTURES" by Mary Baker Eddy
Mrs. CAROL HOYT POWERS
Second Reader
Reads from the SCRIPTURES
JOHN V. DITTEMORE
Clerk
The First Church of Christ, Scientist,
Falmouth, Norway,
and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Mass.
STEPHEN A. CHASE
Treasurer
Box 56, Fall River, Mass. |
|
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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 (1) 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.
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Clerk and Treasurer. SECTION 3. The term of
office for the Clerk and the Treasurer of this (1) See under "Deed of Trust"
for incorporation of the "Christian Science Board of Directors." 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 unanimousvote of the Christian Science
Board of Direc- tors 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 thePastor 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.
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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 Di- rectors 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 pleas- antly 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.
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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 inannulling 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 nothimself, 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 of 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 com- plaint be found valid, the Directors shall
resign their office or perform their functions faithfully. Failing to do thus,
the Pastor Emeritus shall ap- point 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.
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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.
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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
insur- ance 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.
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Article III -
DUTIES OF READERS OF THE MOTHER CHURCH AND OF ITS BRANCH
CHURCHES
Moral Obligations. SECTION l. 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 theWednesday 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.
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Order of Reading. SECTION 4. The First Read-
ers in the Christian Science churches shall readthe 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.
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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.
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CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Article IV -
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
Believe in Christian
Science. SECTION l. 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.
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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 Churchfrom 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.
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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. SECT. 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 applica
tions for membership must be addressed to the Clerk of the Church.
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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.
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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 re- ceived into full membership, but if not found
worthy their applications shall be void.
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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 mem- bership 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.
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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.
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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 de- parture from this rule disqualifies a member for
office in the Church or on the Board of Lectureship, and renders this member
liable to dis- cipline 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!
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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.
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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 pre- vent 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.
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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.
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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.
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Illegal Adoption. SECTION 20. No person shall
be a member of this Church who claims a spiritually adopted child or a
spiritually adopted hus- band 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 profes- sion,
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.
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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 in- volved. 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.
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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.
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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 causethereof 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.
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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.
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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 com- plaints
against church members; and they alone shall vote on cases involving The Mother
Church discipline.
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Members in Mother Church Only. SECTION 6. A
complaint against a member of The Mother Church, if said member belongs to
no branchchurch 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 other- wise, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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 Fri- day 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.
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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.
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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 quot- ing 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.
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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.
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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.)
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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 man- ner. 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.
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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.
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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.(1)
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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.
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 (1)See also Article XXV, Sect. 7. drop the word
mother and to substitute Leader, already used in our
periodicals.
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A Member not a Leader. SECTION 2. A member of
The First Church of Christ, Sci- entist, 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 copy of this fact before presenting it to
the Church and obtain a clear understanding of the matter, then act in
accordance therewith.
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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.
Unauthorized Reports. SECTION 7. Members of
this Church shall not report on authority an order from Mrs. Eddy that she has
not sent, either to the Boards or to the executive bodies of this Church. The
Pastor Emeritus is not to be consulted on cases of discipline, on the cases of
candidates for admission to this Church, or on the cases of those on trial for
dismissal from the Church.
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Private Communications. SECTION 8. A strictly
private communication from the Pastor Emeritus to a member of her Church shall
not be made public without her written consent.
Unauthorized Legal Action. SECTION 9. A member
of this Church shall not employ an attorney, nor take legal action on a case
not provided for in its By-Laws - if said case relates to the person or to the
property of Mary Baker Eddy - without having personally conferred with her on
said subject.
Duty to God. SECTION 10. Members of this Church
who turn their attention from the divine Principle of being to personality,
sending gifts, congratulatory despatches or letters to the Pastor Emeritus on
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, or Easter, break a rule of this Church and
are amenable therefor.
Opportunity for Serving the Leader. SECTION 11.
At the written request of the Pastor Emeritus, Mrs. Eddy, the Board of
Directors shall immediately notify a person who has been a member of this
Church at least three years to go in ten days to her, and it shall be the duty
of the member thus notified to remain with Mrs. Eddy three years consecutively.
A member who leaves her in less time without the Directors' consent or who
declines to obey this call to duty, upon Mrs. Eddy's complaint thereof shall be
excommunicated from The Mother Church. Members thus serving the Leader shall be
paid semi-annually at the rate of one thousand dollars yearly in addition to
rent and board. Those members whom she teaches the course in Divinity, and who
remain with her three consecutive years, receive the degree of the
Massachusetts Metaphysical College.
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Location. SECTION 12. Rev. Mary Baker Eddy
calls to her home or allows to visit or to locate therein only those
individuals whom she engages through the Christian Science Board of Directors
of the Mother Church. This By-Law takes effect on Dec. 15, 1908.
Agreement Required. SECTION l3. When the
Christian Science Board of Directors calls a student in accordance with Article
XXII, Sect. 11, of our Church Manual to the home of their Leader, Mrs. Eddy,
said student shall come under a signed agreement to remain with Mrs. Eddy if
she so desires, during the time specified in the Church Manual.
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Incomplete Term of Service. SECTION 14. If a
student who has been called to serve our Leader in accordance with Article
XXII, Sect. 11, of the Church Manual leaves her before the expira- tion of the
time therein mentioned such student shall pay to Mrs. Eddy whatsoever she may
charge for what she has taught him or her during the time of such service.
Help. SECTION 15. If the author of the
Christian Science textbook call on this Board for household help or a handmaid,
the Board shall immediately appoint a proper member of this Church therefor,
and the appointee shall go im- mediately in obedience to the call. "He that
loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.'' (Matt. 10:37.)
Students with Mrs. Eddy. SECTION 16. Students
employed by Mrs. Eddy at her home shall not take care of their churches or
attend to other affairs outside of her house.
Mrs. Eddy's Room. SECTION l7. The room in The
Mother Church formerly known as "Mother's Room" shall hereafter be closed to
visitors.
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Pastor Emeritus to be Consulted. SECTION 18.
The Mother Church shall not make a church By- law, nor enter into a business
transaction with a Christian Scientist in the employ of Rev. Mary Baker Eddy,
without first consulting her on said subject and adhering strictly to her
advice thereon.
THE
MOTHER CHURCH AND BRANCH CHURCHES
Article
XXIII
Local
Self-government. SECTION 1. The Mother Church
of Christ, Scientist, shall assume no general official control of other
churches, and it shall be controlled by none other. Each Church of Christ,
Scientist, shall have its own form of government. No conference of churches
shall be held, unless it be when our churches, located in the same State,
convene to confer on a statute of said State, or to confer harmoniously on
individual unity and action of the churches in said State.
Titles. SECTION 2. "The First Church of Christ,
Scientist," is the legal title of The Mother Church. Branch churches of The
Mother Church may take the title of First Church of Christ, Scientist; Second
Church of Christ, Scientist; and so on, where more than one church is
established in the same place; but the article "The" must not be used before
titles of branch churches, nor written on applications for membership in naming
such churches.
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Mother Church Unique. SECTION 3. In its
relation to other Christian Science churches, in its By-Laws and
self-government, The Mother Church stands alone; it occupies a position that no
other church can fill. Then for a branch church to assume such position would
be disastrous to Christian Science. Therefore, no Church of Christ, Scientist,
shall be considered loyal that has branch churches or adopts The Mother
Church's form of government, except in such cases as are specially allowed and
named in this Manual.
Tenets Copyrighted. SECTION 4. Branch churches
shall not write the Tenets of The Mother Church in their church books, except
they give the name of their author and her permission to publish them as Tenets
of The Mother Church, copyrighted in SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE
SCRIPTURES.
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Manual. SECTION 5. Branch churches shall not
adopt, print, nor publish the Manual of The Mother Church. See Article XXXV,
Sect. 1.
Organizing Churches. SECTION 6. A member of
this Church who obeys its By-Laws and is a loyal exemplary Christian Scientist
working in the Field, is eligible to form a church in conformity with Sect. 7
of this Article, and to have church services conducted by reading the
SCRIPTURES and the Christian Science textbook. This church shall be
acknowledged publicly as a Church of Christ, Scientist. Upon proper
application, made in accordance with the rules of The Christian Science
Publishing Society, the serv- ices of such a church may be advertised in The
Christian Science Journal. The branch churches shall be individual, and not
more than two small churches shall consolidate under one church government. If
the Pastor Emeritus, Mrs. Eddy, should relinquish her place as the head or
Leader of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, each branch church shall
continue its present form of government in consonance with The Mother Church
Manual.
Requirements for Organizing Branch Churches.
SECTION 7. A branch church of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston,
Mass., shall not be organized with less than sixteen loyal Christian
Scientists, four of whom are members of The Mother Church. This membership
shall include at least one active practitioner whose card is published in the
list of practitioners in The Christian Science Journal.
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Privilege of Members. SECTION 8. Members in
good standing with The Mother Church, who are members of the faculty,
instructors, or students organization.
No Close Communion. SECTION 9. The Mother
Church and the branch churches shall not confine their membership to the pupils
of one teacher.
No Interference. SECTION 10. A member of The
Mother Church may be a member of one branch Church of Christ, Scientist, or of
one Christian Science society holding public services, but he shall not be a
member of both a branch church and a society; neither shall he exercise
supervision or control over any other church. In Christian Science each branch
church shall be distinctly democratic in its government, and no individual, and
no other church shall interfere with its affairs.
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Teachers' and Practitioners' Offices. SECTION
11. Teachers and practitioners of Christian Science shall not have their
offices or rooms in the branch churches, in the reading rooms, nor in rooms
connected therewith.
Recognition. SECTION 12. In order to be
eligible to a card in The Christian Science Journal, churches and
societies are required to acknowl- edge as such all other Christian Science
churches and societies advertised in said Journal, and to maintain
toward them an attitude of Christian fellowship.
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GUARDIANSHIP OF CHURCH FUNDS
Article
XXIV
Church Edifice a Testimonial. SECTION 1.
Whereas, on March 20, 1895, the Christian Science Board of Directors, in behalf
of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass., presented to Rev. Mary
Baker Eddy their church edifice as a Testimonial of this Church's love and
gratitude, and she, with grateful ac- knowledgments thereof, declined to
receive this munificent gift, she now understands the finan- cial situation
between the Christian Science Board of Directors and said Church to be as
follows:
Financial Situation. SECTION 2. The Christian
Science Board of Directors owns the church edifices, with the land whereon they
stand, legally; and the Church members own the aforesaid premises and
buildings, beneficially. After the first church was built, the balance of the
building funds, which remained in the hands of the Directors, belonged to the
Church, and not solely to the Directors. The balance of the church building
funds, which can be spared after the debts are paid, should remain on safe
deposit, to be hereafter used for the benefit of this Church, as the right
occasion may call for it. The following indicates the proper management of the
Church funds:
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Report of Directors. SECTION 3. It shall be the
duty of the Christian Science Board of Directors to have the books of the
Church Treas- urer audited semi-annually, and to report at the annual Church
meeting the amount of funds which the Church has on hand, the amount of its
indebtedness and of its expenditures for the last year.
Finance Committee. SECTION 4. There shall be a
Committee on Finance, which shall consist of three members of this Church in
good standing. Its members shall be appointed annually by the Christian Science
Board of Directors and with the consent of the Pastor Emeritus. They shall hold
quarterly meetings and keep themselves thoroughly informed as to the real
estate owned by this Church and the amount of funds received by the Treasurer
of The Mother Church, who is individually responsible for said funds. They
shall have the books of the Christian Science Board of Directors and the books
of the Church Treasurer audited annually by an honest, competent accountant.
The books are to be audited on May first. Treasurer of this Church shall submit
them all to said committee for examination. This committee shall decide
thereupon by a unanimous Prior to paying bills against the Church, the vote,
and its endorsement of the bills shall render them payable. If it be found that
the Church funds have not been properly managed, it shall be the duty of the
Board of Directors and the Treasurer to be individually responsible for the
performance of their several offices satisfactorily, and for the proper
distribution of the funds of which they are the custodians.
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God's Requirement. SECTION 5. God requires
wisdom, economy, and brotherly love to characterize all the proceedings of the
members of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
Provision for the Future. SECTION 6. In case of
any possible future deviation from duty, the Committee on Finance shall visit
the Board of Directors, and, in a Christian spirit and manner, demand that each
member thereof comply with the By-Laws of the Church. If any Director fails to
heed this admonition, he may be dis missed from office and the vacancy supplied
by the Board.
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Debt and Duty. SECTION 7. The Mother Church
shall not be made legally responsible for the debts of individuals except such
debts as are specified in its By-Laws. Donations from this Church shall not be
made without the written consent of the Pastor Emeritus. Also important move-
ments of the manager of the Committee on Publication shall be sanctioned by the
Board of Directors and be subject to the approval of Mary Baker Eddy. (See
Article I, Sect. 6.)
Emergencies. SECTION 8. The Treasurer,
personally, or through the Clerk of the Church, may pay from the funds of the
Church bills of immediate necessity not exceeding $200 for any one transaction,
and he may keep on deposit the sum of $500 with the Clerk, as a petty cash
fund, to be used by him for the payment of such bills. Such payments shall be
reported, on the first of the following month, to the Board of Directors and
the Committee on Finance, for their approval.
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Committee on Business. SECTION 9. The Christian
Science Board of Directors shall elect annually a Committee on Business, which
shall consist of not less than three loyal members of The Mother Church, who
shall transact promptly and efficiently such business as Mrs. Eddy, the
Directors, or the Committee on Publication shall commit to it. While the mem-
bers of this Committee are engaged in the transaction of the business assigned
to them they shall be paid from the Church funds. Before being eligible for
office the names of the persons nominated for said office shall be presented to
Mrs. Eddy for her written approval.
THE
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY
Article
XXV
Board of Trustees. SECTION 1. The Board of
Trustees, constituted by a Deed of Trust given by Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the
Pastor Emeritus of this Church, on January twentyfifth, 1898, shall hold and
manage the property therein conveyed, and conduct the business of "The
Christian Science Publishing Society" on a strictly Christian basis, for the
promotion of the interests of Christian Science.
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Disposal of Funds. SECTION 2. The net profits
of the business shall be paid over semi-annually to the Treasurer of The Mother
Church. He shall hold this money subject to the order of the Christian Science
Board of Directors, which is authorized to order its disposition only in
accordance with the By-Laws contained in this Manual.
Vacancies in Trusteeship. SECTION 3. The
Christian Science Board of Directors shall have the power to declare vacancies
in said trusteeship, for such reasons as to the Board may seem expedient.
Whenever a vacancy shall occur, the Pastor Emeritus reserves the right to fill
the same by appointment; but if she does not elect to exercise this right, the
remaining trustees shall fill the vacancy, subject to her approval.
Editors and Manager. SECTION 4. The term of
office for the editors and the manager of The Christian Science Publishing
Society is one year each, dating from the time of election to the office.
Incumbents who have served one year or more can be re-elected, or new officers
elected, by a unanimous vote of the Christian Science Board of Directors, and
the consent of the Pastor Emeritus given in her own handwriting.
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Suitable Employees. SECT. 5. A person who is
not accepted by the Pastor Emeritus and the Christian Science Board of
Directors as suitable, shall in no manner be connected with publishing her
books, nor with editing or publishing The Christian Science Journal,
Christian Science Sentinel, Der Herold der Christian Science, nor with The
Christian Science Publishing Society.
Periodicals. SECTION 6. Periodicals which shall
at any time be published by The Christian Science Publishing Society, shall be
copyrighted and conducted according to the provisions in the Deed of Trust
relating to The Christian Science Journal.
Rule of Conduct. SECTION 7. No objectionable
pictures shall be exhibited in the rooms where the Christian Science textbook
is published or sold. No idle gossip, no slander, no mischief-making, no evil
speaking shall be allowed.
Books to be Published. SECTION 8. Only the
Publishing Society of The Mother Church selects, approves, and publishes the
books and literature it sends forth. If Mary Baker Eddy disap- proves of
certain books or literature, the Society will not publish them. The Committees
on Publication are in no manner connected with these functions. A book or an
article of which Mrs. Eddy is the author shall not be published nor republished
by this Society without her knowledge or written consent.
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82
Removal of Cards. SECTION 9. No cards shall be
removed from our periodicals without the request of the advertiser, except by a
majority vote of the Christian Science Board of Directors at a meeting held for
this purpose or for the examination of complaints. Members of this Church who
practise other professions or pursue other vocations, shall not advertise as
healers, excepting those members who are officially engaged in the work of
Christian Science, and they must devote ample time for faithful practice.
Page
83
TEACHING CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Article XXVI -
TEACHERS
Motive in Teaching. SECTION 1. Teaching
Christian Science shall not be a question of money, but of morals and religion,
healing and uplifting the race.
Care of Pupils. SECTION 2. Christian Scientists
who are teachers shall carefully select for pupils such only as have good past
records and promising proclivities toward Christian Science. A teacher shall
not assume personal control of, or attempt to dominate his pupils, but he shall
hold himself morally obligated to promote their prog- ress in the understanding
of divine Principle, not only during the class term but after it, and to watch
well that they prove sound in sentiment and practical in Christian Science. He
shall persistently and patiently counsel his pupils in conformity with the
unerring laws of God, and shall enjoin them habitually to study the Scriptures
and SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES as a help thereto.
Page
84
Defense against Malpractice. SECTION 3.
Teachers shall instruct their pupils how to de- fend themselves against mental
malpractice, never to return evil for evil, but to know the truth that makes
free, and thus to be a law, not unto others, but to themselves.
Number of Pupils. SECTION 4. The teachers of
Christian Science shall teach but one class yearly, which class shall consist
of not more than thirty pupils. After 1907, the Board of Education shall have
one class triennially, a Normal class not exceeding thirty pupils.
Pupil's Tuition. SECTION 5. A student's price
for teaching Christian Science shall not exceed $100.00 per pupil.
Associations. SECTION 6. The associations of
the pupils of loyal teachers shall convene annually. The pupils shall be guided
by the BIBLE, and SCIENCE AND HEALTH, not by their teachers personal views.
Teachers shall not call their pupils together, or assemble a selected number of
them, for more frequent meetings.
A Single Field of Labor. SECTION 7. A loyal
teacher of Christian Science shall not teach another loyal teacher's pupil,
except it be in the Board of Education. Outside of this Board each student
occupies only his own field of labor. Pupils may visit each other's churches,
and by invitation attend each other's associations.
Page 85
Caring for Pupils of Strayed Members. SECTION
8. A loyal teacher of Christian Science may teach and receive into his
association the pupils of another member of this Church who has so strayed as
justly to be deemed, under the provisions of Article XII, Sect. 1, not ready to
lead his pupils.
Teachers must have Certificates. SECTION 9. A
member of this Church shall not teach pupils Christian Science unless he has a
certificate to show that he has been taught by Mrs. Eddy or has taken a Normal
Course at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College or in the Board of Education.
Such members who have not been continuously active and loyal Christian
Scientists since receiving instruction as above, shall not teach Christian
Science without the approval of The Christian Science Board of Directors.
Page 86
Article XXVII
- PUPILS
Authorized to Teach. SECTION 1. After a
student's pupil has been duly authorized to be a teacher of Christian Science,
or has been under the personal instruction of Mrs. Eddy, he is no longer under
the jurisdiction of his former teacher.
Without Teachers. SECTION 2. Those beloved
brethren whose teacher has left them, can elect an experienced Christian
Scientist, who is not in charge of an association of students and who is ready
for this high calling, to conduct the meetings of their association.
Basis for Teaching. SECTION 3. The teachers of
the Normal class shall teach from the chapter Recapitulation in SCIENCE AND
HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, and from the Christian Science Platform,
beginning on page 330 of the revised editions since 1902, and they shall teach
nothing contrary thereto. The teachers of the Primary class shall instruct
their pupils from the said chapter on "Recapitulation" only.
Page 87
Church Membership. SECTION 4. Neither the
Pastor Emeritus nor a member of this Church shall teach Roman Catholics
Christian Science, except it be with the written consent of the authority of
their Church. Choice of patients is left to the wisdom of the practitioner and
Mrs. Eddy is not to be consulted on this subject.
Class Teaching. SECTION 5. Members of The
Mother Church who are authorized by its By-Laws to teach Christian Science,
shall not solicit, or cause or permit others to solicit, pupils for their
classes. No member of this Church shall advise against class instruction.
Teachers of Christian Science must have the necessary
moral and spiritual qualifications to elucidate the Principle and rule of
Christian Science, through the higher meaning of the Scriptures. "The less the
teacher personally controls other minds, and the more he trusts them to the
divine Truth and Love, the better it will be for both teacher and student."
(Retrospection and Introspection, page 84.)
Page 88
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Article XXVIII
-ORGANIZATION
Officers. SECTION 1. There shall be a Board of Education, under the
auspices of Mary Baker Eddy, President of the Massachusetts Metaphysical
College, consisting of three members, a president, vice-president, and teacher
of Christian Science. Obstetrics will not be taught.
Election. SECTION 2. The vice-president shall
be elected annually by the Christian Science Board of Directors. Beginning with
1907, the teacher shall be elected every third year by said Board, and the
candidate shall be subject to the approval of the Pastor Emeritus.
President not to be Consulted. SECTION 3. The
President is not to be consulted by students on the question of applying for
admission to this Board nor on their course or conduct. The students can confer
with their teachers on subjects essential to their progress.
Page
89
Presidency of College. SECTION 4. Should the
President resign over her own signature or vacate her office of President of
the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, a meeting of the Christian Science
Board of Directors shall immediately be called, and the vice-president of the
Board of Education being found worthy, on receiving her approval shall be
elected to fill the vacancy.
Article XXIX
-APPLICANTS AND GRADUATES
Normal
Teachers.. SECTION 1. Loyal students who have
been taught in a Primary class by Mrs. Eddy and have practised Christian
Science healing acceptably three years, and who present such credentials as are
required to verify this fact, are eligible to receive the degree of C.S.D.
Qualifications. SECTION 2. Loyal Christian
Scientists' pupils who so desire may apply to the Board of Education for
instruction; and if they have practised Christian Science healing success-
fully three years and will furnish evidence of their eligibility therefor, they
are eligible to enter the Normal class. All members of this class must be
thorough English scholars.
Page
90
Certificates. SECTION 3. Students are examined
and given certificates by this Board if found qualified to receive them.
Article XXX -
ACTION OF THE BOARD
Sessions. SECTION 1 . The term of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College
will open with the Board of Education on the first Wednesday of December. The
sessions will continue not over one week. None but the teacher and members of
the College class shall be present at the sessions, and no Primary classes
shall be taught under the auspices of this Board.
Special Instruction. SECTION 2. Not less than
two thorough lessons by a well qualified teacher shall be given to each Normal
class on the subject of mental practice and malpractice. One student in
the class shall prepare a paper on said subject that shall be read to the
class, thoroughly discussed, and understood; this paper shall be given to the
teacher, and he shall not allow it or a copy of it to remain, but shall destroy
this paper.
Page
91
Signatures. SECTION 3. The signature of the
teacher and of the President of the College shall be on all certificates
issued.
Remuneration and Free Scholarship. SECTION 4.
Tuition of class instruction in the Board of Education shall be $100.00. The
bearer of a card of free scholarship from the President, Rev. Mary Baker Eddy,
shall be entitled to a free course in this department on presentation of the
card to the teacher. Only the President gives free admission to classes.
Surplus Funds. SECTION 5. Any surplus funds
left in the hands of the Board of Education shall be paid over annually to the
Treasurer of The Mother Church.
Primary Students. SECTION 6. Students of
Christian Science, duly instructed therein and with good moral records, not
having the certificate of C.S.D. may enter the Normal class in the Board of
Education, which will be held once in three years beginning A. D. 1907;
provided their diplomas are for three consecutive years under Mrs. Eddy's daily
conversation on Christian Science, or from the Massachusetts Meta-physical
College Board of Education.
Page
92
Healing Better than Teaching. SECTION 7.
Healing the sick and the sinner with Truth dem- onstrates what we affirm of
Christian Science, and nothing can substitute this demonstration. I recommend
that each member of this Church shall strive to demonstrate by his or her
practice, that Christian Science heals the sick quickly and wholly, thus
proving this Science to be all that we claim for it. If both husband and wife
are found duly qualified to teach Christian Science, either one, not both,
should teach yearly one class.
Not Members of The Mother Church. SECTION 8. No
person shall receive instructions in Christian Science in any class in the
Massachusetts Metaphysical College, nor receive the degree of C.S.B. or C.S.D.,
who is not a member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass.
Only those persons who are members of this Church and possessed of the
qualifications named in Sect. 9 of Article XXVI of these By-Laws shall be
deemed loyal teachers of Christian Science.
Page
93
BOARD OF LECTURESHIP
Article XXXI -
ORGANIZATION AND DUTIES
Election. SECTION 1. This Church shall maintain
a Board of Lectureship, the members of which shall be elected annually on
Monday preceding the Annual Meeting, subject to the approval of the Pastor
Emeritus. The lecture year shall begin July 1 of each year.
Duty of Lecturers. SECTION 2. It is the duty of
the Board of Lectureship to include in each lecture a true and just reply to
public topics condemning Christian Science, and to bear testimony to the facts
pertaining to the life of the Pastor Emeritus. Each member shall mail to the
Clerk of this Church copies of his lectures before delivering them.
No Disruption of Branch Churches. SECTION 3.
The Board of Lectureship is not allowed in anywise to meddle with nor to
disrupt the organization of branch churches. The lecturer can invite churches
within the city whither he is called to unite in their attendance on his
lecture, and so make for their churches a less lecture fee; but the churches
shall decide their action.
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94
Receptions. SECTION 4. As a rule there should
be no receptions nor festivities after a lecture on Christian Science, but
there may occur excep- tions. If there be an individual who goes to hear and
deride truth, he should go away contemplat- ing truth; and he who goes to seek
truth should have the opportunity to depart in quiet thought on that
subject.
Circuit Lecturer. SECTION 5. Upon the written
request of Mrs. Eddy, The Mother Church shall appoint a Circuit Lecturer. His
term of office, if approved, shall not be less than three years. He shall
lecture in the United States, in Canada, in Great Britain and Ireland. A member
shall neither resign nor transfer this sacred office.
Page
95
Article XXXII
- CALLS FOR LECTURES
The Directors. SECTION 1. When the need is
apparent, the Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church may
call on any member of this Board of Lectureship to lecture at such places and
at such times as the cause of Christian Science demands.
From Branch Churches. SECTION 2. The branch
Churches of Christ, Scientist, may apply through their clerks to a member of
this Board of Lectureship for a speaker, and one shall be assigned them by the
Board.
From Societies. SECTION 3. If called for, a
member of the Board may lecture for a Society.
Annual Lectures. SECTION 4. The Mother Church
and the branch churches shall call on the Board of Lectureship annually for one
or more lectures.
No Lectures by Readers. SECTION 5. No lecture
shall be given by a Reader during his term of Readership. The duties alone of a
Reader are ample.
Page
96
No Wednesday Evening Lectures. SECTION 6. The
Board of Lectureship shall not appoint a lecture for Wednesday evening.
Lecture Fee. SECTION 7. The lecture fee shall
be left to the discretion of the lecturer.
Expenses. SECTION 8. The lecturer's traveling
expenses and the cost of hall shall be paid by the church that employs him.
Exceptional Cases. SECTION 9. If a lecturer
receive a call to lecture in a place where he sees there is special need, and
the local church is unable to meet the expense, he is at liberty to supply that
need and trust to contributions for his fee.
Page
97
COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION
Article
XXXIII
In The Mother Church. SECTION 1. There shall be
appointed by The Mother Church a Committee on Publication, which shall consist
of one loyal Christian Scientist who lives in Boston, and he shall be manager
of the Committees on Publication throughout the United States, Canada, Great
Britain and Ireland. He shall be elected annually by a unanimous vote of the
Christian Science Board of Directors and the consent of the Pastor Emeritus
given in her own handwriting, and shall receive an annual salary, paid
quarterly, of not less than four thousand dollars.
Duties. SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of the
Committee on Publication to correct in a Christian manner impositions on the
public in regard to Christian Science, injustices done Mrs. Eddy or members of
this Church by the daily press, by periodicals or circulated literature of any
sort. This Committee on Publication shall be responsible for correcting or
having corrected a false newspaper article which has not been replied to by
other Scientists, or which has been forwarded to this Committee for the purpose
of having him reply to it. If the correction by the Committee on Publication is
not promptly published by the periodical in which it is desirable that this
cor- rection shall appear, this Committee shall immediately apply for aid to
the Committee on Business. Furthermore, the Committee on Pub- lication shall
read the last proof sheet of such an article and see that it is
published according to copy; he shall circulate in large quantities the papers
containing such an article, sending a copy to the Clerk of the Church. It shall
also be the duty of the Committee on Publication to have published each year in
a leading Boston newspaper the letter sent to the Pastor Emeritus by the Church
members in annual meeting as- sembled. The State Committees on Publication act
under the direction of this Committee on Publication.
Page
98
In Branch Churches. SECTION 3. The Readers of
the three largest branch churches in each State of the United States and in
Canada shall annually and alternately appoint a Committee on Publication to
serve in their localities. For the pur- poses of this By-Law, the State of
California shall be considered as though it were two States, the dividing line
being the 36th parallel of latitude. Each county of Great Britain and Ireland,
except as hereinafter specified, through the Readers of its three largest
branch churches, shall annually and alternately appoint a Committee on
Publication to serve in its locality. Each church is not necessarily confined
to its own members in select- ing this Committee, but if preferred, can appoint
a Committee on Publication who is in good fellowship with another Church of
Christ, Scientist. This By-Law applies to all States except Massachusetts, in
which the Committee on Publication is elected only by the Christian Science
Board of Directors. The Committee for the counties in which London, England, is
situated shall be appointed by the Christian Science Board of Directors, and he
shall, in addition to his other duties, act as District Manager of the
Committees on Publication for Great Britain and Ireland.
Page
99
Appointment. SECTION 4. The Committees on
Publication shall consist of men generally. Each State Committee shall be
appointed by the First and Second Readers of the church employing said
Committee. If prior to the meeting of the church for the election of officers,
Mrs. Eddy shall send to the First Reader of the church the name of a candidate
for its Committee on Publi cation, the Readers shall appoint said candidate. Or
if she shall send a special request to any Committee on Publication, the
request shall be carried out according to her directions.
Page
100
Removal from Office. SECTION 5. If the
Committee on Publication neglects to fulfil the obligations of his office
according to these By-Laws, and this becomes apparent to the Christian Science
Board of Directors, it shall be the duty of the Directors immediately to act
upon this important matter in accordance with said By-Laws. The Christian
Science Board of Directors may notify any Church of Christ, Scientist, to
remove its Committee on Publication and to appoint another Committee to fill
the vacancy; and it shall be the duty of that church to comply with this
request. In such cases it shall be the privilege of this Board to name the
Committee if it so desires, and any Committee so named by the Board shall be
elected by the branch church.
Page
101
Case of Necessity. SECTION 6. If a suitable man
is not obtainable for Committee on Publication, a suitable woman shall be
elected. If at any time the Christian Science Board of Directors shall
determine that the manager of the general Committee on Publication needs an
assistant, the Board shall, with the approval of the Pastor Emeritus, appoint
an assistant manager, who shall receive an adequate salary from The Mother
Church.
Page
102
CHURCH-BUILDING
Article
XXXIV
Building Committee. SECTION 1. There shall be a
Building Committee consisting of not less than three members, and this
committee shall not be dissolved until the new church edifice is completed.
This committee shall elect, dismiss, or supply a vacancy of its members by a
majority vote.
Designation of Deeds. SECTION 2. All deeds of
further purchases of land for The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston,
Mass., shall have named in them all the trusts mentioned in the deeds given by
Albert Metcalf and E. Noyes Whitcomb in March, 1903; but this rule shall not
apply to land purchased for any purpose other than the erection of a church
edifice. Also there shall be incorporated in all such deeds the phrase, "Mary
Baker Eddy's Church, The Mother Church or The First Church of Christ,
Scientist, in Boston, Mass."
Page
103
The Mother Church Building. SECTION 3. The
edifice erected in 1894 for The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston,
Mass., shall neither be demolished, nor removed from the site where it was
built, without the written consent of the Pastor Emeritus, Mary Baker Eddy.
Page
104
CHURCH MANUAL
Article
XXXV
For The Mother Church Only. SECTION 1. The
Church Manual of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass.,
written byMary Baker Eddy and copyrighted, is adapted to The Mother Church
only. It stands alone, uniquely adapted to form the budding thought and hedge
it about with divine Love. This Manual shall not be revised without the written
consent of its author.
Seventy-third Edition the Authority. SECTION 2.
The Board of Directors, the Committee on Bible Lessons, and the Board of
Trustees shall each keep a copy of the Seventy-third Edition and of subsequent
editions of the Church Manual; and if a discrepancy appears in any revised
edition, these editions shall be cited as authority.
Page 105
Amendment of By-Laws. SECTION 3. No new Tenet
or By-Law shall be adopted, nor any Tenet or By-Law amended or annulled,
without the written consent of Mary Baker Eddy, the author of our textbook,
SCIENCE AND HEALTH.
Page 106 -- Page
left blank
Page 107 -- Page
left blank
Page 108
Appendix.
Page
109
Appendix. |
|
Special Instructions Regarding Applications for Church
Membership
1. Loyal members of The Mother Church are
eligible to approve candidates to unite with this Church.
2. No persons are eligible to countersign
applications except loyal students of Mrs. Eddy, Directors, and students of the
Board of Education who have been given a degree, and are members of The Mother
Church.
3. Those who approve applicants should have
applications returned to them after being filled out by the applicants, as
required by Article V, Sect. 6, and should compare them with the forms here
given, and see that names are legibly written, before sending them to the Clerk
of the Church. If not correct, the applicant will be notified, and new
applications will be required, as none will be returned that are not correctly
made out. This requirement is to prevent applications being duplicated and the
confusion that might result therefrom. It is important that these seemingly
strict conditions be exactly complied with, as the names of the members of The
Mother Church will be recorded in the history of the Church and become a part
thereof.
Page 110
4. All names, whether of applicants, signers,
or countersigners, must be plainly written, and one, at least, of the given
names of each, written in full. Initials only of first names will not be
received. Women must sign Miss or Mrs. before their names as the case may be.
All names must be written the same in all places where they are
required. |
|
Page 111
TO
APPLICANTS
1. In filling out the application blank, one of
the Christian names must be written in full. Initials alone will not be
received.
2. If the applicant is a married woman she
must sign her own Christian name, not her hus- band's, and prefix her signature
with "Mrs;" unmarried women must sign "Miss."
3. There are two regular forms of application.
1. For those who have studied Christian Science with an authorized teacher; 2.
For those who have not studied Christian Science with a teacher. Applicants
will find the chief points of these instructions illustrated in Form 1 and Form
2, on pages 114 and 118.
4. Those whose teachers are deceased, absent,
or disloyal, or those whose teachers refuse, without sufficient cause, to sign
applications (see Art. V, Sect. 4), will be furnished special forms on
application to the Clerk.
Page
112
5. When branch churches are designated by
number, as First Church, Second Church, etc., the number must be written First,
Second, as shown on page 118. The article "the" either capitalized (The), or
small (the), must not be used before titles of branch churches. See Article
XXIII, Sect. 2.
6. If the applicant is not a member of a branch
church, he should fill out his application in this respect according to the
form on page 114. |
|
Page
113 -- Page left blank
Page
114
Application I
PROPERLY SIGNED AND ENDORSED,
ACCORDINC TO ARTICLE V, SECT. 2
[Form omitted]
Page
115
Application I - (Continued)
PROPERLY SIGNED AND ENDORSED,
ACCORDING TO ARTICLE V, SECT. 2
[Form omitted]
Page
116
Application
I
PROPERLY SIGNED AND
ENDORSED,
ACCORDING TO ARTICLE
V, SECT. 2
[Form omitted]
Page
117
Application I -
(Continued)
PROPERLY SIGNED AND
ENDORSED,
ACCORDING TO ARTICLE
V, SECT. 2
[Form omitted]
Page
118
Application
II
SIGNED, ENDORSED,
AND COUNTERSIGNED,
ACCORDING TO ARTICLE
Vl, SECT. 2
[Form omitted]
Page
119
Application II -
(Continued)
SIGNED, ENDORSED,
AND COUNTERSIGNED,
ACCORDING TO ARTICLE
VI, SECT. 2
[Form omitted]
Page
120
Present Order of Services
in
The Mother Church
Republished from the
Sentinel
SUNDAY
SERVICES
1. Hymn.
2. Reading a Scriptural Selection.
3. Silent Prayer, followed by the audible
repetition of the Lord's Prayer with its spiritual interpretation.
4. Hymn.
5. Announcing necessary notices.
6. Solo.
7. Reading the explanatory note on first leaf
of Quarterly.
8. Announcing the subject of the Lesson Sermon,
and reading the Golden Text.
9. Reading the Scriptural selection, entitled
"Responsive Reading," alternately by the First Reader and the congregation.
10. Reading the Lesson-Sermon. (After the
Second Reader reads the BIBLE references of the first Section of the Lesson,
the First Reader makes the following announcement: "As announced in the
explanatory note, I shall now read correlative passages from the Christian
Science textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Mary Baker
Eddy. )
Page
121
11. Collection.
12. Hymn.
13. Reading the
scientific statement of being, and the correlative SCRIPTURE according to I
John 3:1-3.
14. Pronouncing
Benediction. The services should be preceded and followed by organ or piano
music of an appropriate character in all cases where this is possible. On the
first Sunday of each month Article VIII, SECT. 1, A Rule for Motives and
Acts, is to be read.
Page
122
WEDNESDAY
MEETINGS
1. Hymn.
2. Reading from the BIBLE, and correlative
passages from SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES.
3. Silent Prayer, followed by the audible
repetition of the Lord's Prayer, its spiritual interpretation being
omitted.
4. Hymn.
5. Announcing necessary notices.
6. Experiences, testimonies, and remarks on
Christian Science.
7. Closing Hymn. The services should be
preceded and followed by organ or piano music of an appropriate character in
all cases where this is possible.
Page
123
Thanksgiving
Day.
Order of Service for The Mother Church and Branch
Churches.
1. Hymn.
2. Reading the Thanksgiving Proclamation of the
President of the United States, or the Governor of the state, or both.
3. Reading a Scriptural Selection.
4. Silent Prayer, followed by the audible
repetition of the Lord's Prayer with its spiritual interpretation.
5. Hymn.
6. Reading the Explanatory Note on the first
leaf of the Quarterly.
7. Announcing the subject of the Lesson Sermon,
and reading the Golden Text.
8. Responsive Reading by the First Reader and
the congregation.
Page
124
9. Reading the
Lesson-Sermon prepared by the Bible Lesson Committee.
10. Solo.
11. Testimonies by
Christian Scientists, appropriate for the occasion.
12. Hymn.
13. Reading the
Scientific Statement of Being, and the correlative SCRIPTURE according to I
John 3:1-3.
14. Pronouncing
Benediction. No collection is to be taken at this service. The services should
be preceded and followed by organ or piano music of an appropriate character in
all cases where this is possible.
Page
125
Present Order
of Communion Services
in Branch
Churches
1. Hymn.
2. Reading a Scriptural Selection.
3. Silent Prayer, followed by the audible
repetition of the Lord's Prayer with its spiritual interpretation.
4. Hymn.
5. Announcing necessary notices.
6. Reading Tenets of The Mother Church.
7. Collection and Solo.
8. Reading the explanatory note on first leaf
of Quarterly.
9. Announcing the subject of the Lesson Sermon,
and reading the Golden Text.
10. Reading the scriptural selection entitled
"Responsive Reading" alternately by the First Reader and the congregation.
11. Reading the Lesson-Sermon. (After the
Second Reader reads the BIBLE references of the first Section of the Lesson,
the First Reader makes the following announcement: "As announced in the
explanatory note, I shall now read correlative passages from the Christian
Science textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Mary Baker
Eddy.")
Page
126
12. The First Reader
briefly invites the congregation to kneel in silent Communion. This is
concluded by the audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer (spiritual
interpretation omitted).
13. Singing the Doxology:
"Be Thou, O God, exalted high; And as Thy glory fills the sky, So let it be on
earth displayed, Till Thou art here and now obeyed."
14. Reading the
scientific statement of being and the correlative SCRIPTURE according to I John
3:1-3.
15. Pronouncing
Benediction. The Church Tenets shall be read at this service. The services
should be preceded and followed by organ or piano music of an appropriate
character in all cases where this is possible.
Page
127
Order of Exercises for the Sunday School of the Mother
Church.
1. Call to order by the
Superintendent.
2. Hymn.
3. Subject of the lesson
announced; Golden Text repeated by the children; Responsive Reading.
4. Silent prayer,
followed by the audiblerepetition of the Lord's Prayer in unison.
5. Instruction in
classes, in accordance with Sections 2 AND 3 of Article XX of the Manual of The
Mother Church.
6. Entire school
reassembles.
7. Hymn.
8. Scientific Statement
of Being read by the Superintendent.
9. School dismissed.
Page
128
Deed
of Trust
The following is a Copy of
the Deed of Trust
Conveying Land for Church Edifice KNOW ALL MEN
BY THESE PRESENTS, That I Mary Baker G. Eddy of Concord in the County of
Merrimack and State of New Hampshire in consideration of one dollar to me paid
by Ira O. Knapp of Boston, Mas sachusetts, William B. Johnson of Boston,
Massachusetts, Joseph S. Eastaman of Chelsea, Massachusetts, and Stephen A.
Chase of Fall River, Massachusetts, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged,
and, also in consideration of the trusts and uses hereinafter mentioned and
established, do hereby give, bargain, sell, and convey to the said Ira O.
Knapp, William B. Johnson, Joseph S. Eastaman, and Stephen A. Chase as trustees
as hereinafter provided and to their legitimate successors in
office forever, a certain parcel of land situate
on Falmouth street in said Boston, bounded and
described as follows:
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Beginning at the
junction of Falmouth street, and a forty-foot street now called Caledonia
street; thence running Southwest on said Falmouth street one hundred andsixteen
and eighty-eight hundredths feet; thence Northwest at a right angle to a point
where a line drawn at right angles to said forty-foot street at a point thereon
one hundred and sixteen and fifty-five hundredths feet Northwest from the point
of beginning meets the said boundary at right angles to Falmouth street,
sixty-six and seventy-eight hundredths feet; thence at an obtuse angle on said
line at right angles to said forty-foot street sixty-seven and thirty-five
hundredths feet to said forty-foot street; thence Southeasterly on said
forty-foot street one hundred and sixteen and fifty-five hundredths feet to the
point of beginning; containing seven thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight
square feet more or less, and subject to the agreements and restrictions
mentioned in a deed recorded in Suffolk Registry of Deeds Lib. 1719, Fol 83so
far as the same are now legally operative. This deed of conveyance is made upon
the following express trusts and conditions which the said grantees by
accepting this deed agree and covenant for themselves and their successors in
office to fully perform and fulfil.
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1. Said grantees shall be known
as the "Chris- tian Science Board of Directors," and shall constitute a
perpetual body or corporation under and in accordance with section one, Chapter
39 of the Public Statutes of Massachusetts.(1) Whenever a vacancy occurs in
said Board the remaining members shall within thirty days fill the same by
election; but no one shall be eligible to that office who is not in the opinion
of the remaining mem- bers of the Board a firm and consistent believer in the
doctrines of Christian Science as taught in a book entitled SCIENCE AND HEALTH,
by Mary Baker G. Eddy beginning with the seventy-first edition thereof. (1)The
deacons, church wardens, or other similar officers of Churches or religious
societies, and the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal churches, appointed
according to the discipline and usages thereof, shall, if citizens of this
commonwealth, be deemed bodies corporate for the purpose of taking and holding
in succession all grants and donations, whether of real or personal estate,
made either to the and their successors, or to their respective churches, or to
the poor of their churches.
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2. Said Board shall within five years from the
date hereof build or cause to be built upon said lot of land a suitable and
convenient church edifice, the cost of which shall not be less than fifty
thousand dollars.
3. When said church building is completed said
Board shall elect a pastor, reader or speaker to fill the pulpit who shall be a
genuine Christian Scientist; they shall maintain public worship in accordance
with the doctrines of Christian Science in said church, and for this purpose
they are fully empowered to make any and all necessary rules and regulations.
4. Said Board of Directors shall not suffer or
allow any building to be erected upon said lot except a church building or
edifice, nor shall they allow said church building or any part thereof to be
used for any other purpose than for the ordinary and usual uses of a
church.
5. Said Board of Directors shall not allow or
permit in said church building any preaching or other religious services which
shall not be consonant and in strict harmony with the doctrines and practice of
Christian Science as taught and explained by Mary Baker G. Eddy in the seventy
first edition of her book entitled SCIENCE AND HEALTH," which is soon to be
issued, and in any subsequent edition thereof.
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6. The congregation which shall
worship in said church shall be styled "The First Church of Christ, Scientist."
7. Said Directors shall not sell
or mortgage the land hereby conveyed; but they shall see that all taxes and
legal assessments on said property are promptly paid.
8. Said church building shall not
be removed from said lot except for the purpose of rebuilding thereon a more
expensive or a more convenient structure in which said doctrines of Christian
Science only shall be preached and practised. If said church building is
removed for either of the purposes above set forth, any and all tablets and
inscriptions which are or shall be upon said church building at the time of
removal shall be removed therefrom and placed upon the walls of the new
edifice. If said building is burned, the Directors shall forthwith proceed to
rebuild the church.
9. Said Directors shall maintain
regular preaching, reading or speaking in said church on each Sabbath, and an
omission to have and maintain such preaching, reading or speaking for one year
in succession shall be deemed a breach of this condition.
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10. Whenever said Directors shall determine
that it is inexpedient to maintain preaching, reading or speaking in said
church in accordance with the terms of this deed, they are authorized and
required to reconvey forthwith said lot of land with the building thereon to
Mary Baker G. Eddy, her heirs and assigns forever by a proper deed of
conveyance.
11. The omission or neglect on the part of said
Directors to strictly comply with any of the conditions herein contained shall
constitute a breach thereof, and the title hereby conveyed shall revert to the
grantor Mary Baker G. Eddy, her heirs and assigns forever, upon her entry upon
said land and taking possession thereof for such breach. To Have and to Hold
the above granted premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereon
belonging to said grantees and their successors in office to the uses and
trusts above described forever.
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And the said grantor for herself and her heirs,
executors and administrators covenants with the said grantees and their
successors in office that she is lawfully seized in fee simple of the afore
said premises, that they are free from all incum brances not herein mentioned
or referred to, that she has good right to sell and convey the same to the said
grantees and their successors in office as aforesaid, and that she will and her
heirs, executors, and administrators shall, warrant and defend the same to the
said grantees and their successors in office forever against the lawful claims
and demands of all persons. In witness whereof I the said Mary Baker G. Eddy
have hereto set my hand and seal this 1st day of September, 1892. MARY BAKER G.
EDDY. Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of LAURA E. SARGENT. R. E.
WALKER. September 1st, 1892. STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, MERRIMACK. Then personally
appeared the above named Mary Baker G. Eddy and acknowledged the foregoing
instrument to be her free act and deed, Before me R. E. WALKER.
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Notary Public. September 2, 1892. SUFFOLK
REGISTRY OF DEEDS, Lib. 2081, Fol. 257.
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136
Deed Conveying
Land for Church Purposes
METCALE to KNAPP et al. Trs. Libro 2886,
Fol. 521. KNOW ALL MEN, That I, Albert Metcalf, the grantor in a certain deed
given to Ira O. Knapp and others dated October 23, 1896, and recorded with
Suffolk Deeds, Book 2591, page 398, do hereby declare that the land conveyed by
said deed was conveyed to the grantees therein, as they are the Christian
Science Board of Directors, upon the trusts, but not subject to the conditions
mentioned in the deed creating said Board given by Mary Baker G. Eddy to Ira O.
Knapp and others, dated September 1st, 1892, and recorded with Suffolk Deeds,
Book 2081, page 257. In addition to the trusts contained in said deed of
September 1, 1892, from Mary Baker G. Eddy,
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this property is conveyed on the further trusts that
no new Tenet or By-Law shall be adopted, nor any Tenet or By-Law amended or
annulled by the grantees unless the written consent of said Mary Baker G. Eddy,
the author of the textbook SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES," be
given therefor, or unless at the written request of Mrs. Eddy the Executive
Members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, (formally called the "First
Members,") by a two thirds vote of all their number, decide so to do. And that
the same inscription which is on the outside of the present church edifice
shall be placed on any new church erected on said lot. And in consideration of
one dollar to me paid by said Ira O. Knapp, William B. Johnson, Joseph
Armstrong and Stephen A. Chase, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, I
do hereby confirm the deed as above mentioned, and do grant and release unto
them, their heirs, successors and assigns in trust as aforesaid, the premises
therein described. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this
nineteenth day of March, A. D. nineteen hundred and three. ALBERT METCALF.
[Seal]
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS SUFFOLK March 20th, 1903
Then said Albert Metcalf at knowledged the foregoing instrument to be his free
act and deed. Before me MALCOLM McLOUD. Justice of the Peace. March 20,
1903. at twelve o'clock and sixteen minutes P.M. Received, Entered and
Examined. Attest: THOS. F. TEMPLE, Reg. A true copy from the RECORDS OF
DEEDS for the COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, Lib. 2886, Fol. 521. Attest: CHAS. W. KIMBALL,
Asst. Reg. |
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