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

 

THE Rules and By-Laws in the Manual of The First Church of Christ,
Scientist, Boston, originated not in solemn conclave as in ancient
Sanhedrim. They were not arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands,
such as one person might impose on another. They were impelled
by a power not one's own, were written at different dates, and
as the occasion required. They sprang from necessity, the logic
of events, - from the immediate demand for them as a help that
must be supplied to maintain the dignity and defense of our Cause;
hence their simple, scientific basis, and detail so requisite
to demonstrate genuine Christian Science, and which will do for
the race what absolute doctrines destined for future generations
might not accomplish.

Tenets

of The Mother Church

The First Church of Christ, Scientist

1 To be signed by those uniting with The First
Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass.
3 1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired
Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal
Life.
6 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
9

God's image and likeness.

3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in
the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding

12

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 evi-

15

dence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's
unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower;

From Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker
Eddy.

Page 16

1 and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ,
through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the
3

Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming
sin and death.

5. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus

6

and his resurrection served to uplift faith to under-
stand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and
the nothingness of matter.

9 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

12

unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.

MARY BAKER EDDY

Page 17

Historical Sketch

1 In the spring of 1879, a little band of earnest
seekers after Truth went into deliberations over
3 forming a church without creeds, to be called the
CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST. They were mem-
bers of evangelical churches, and students of Mrs.
6

Mary Baker Eddy in Christian Science, and were
known as "Christian Scientists."

At a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association,

9 April 19, 1879, on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was
voted, -- To organize a church designed to com-
memorate the word and works of our Master, which
12

should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost
element of healing.

Mrs. Eddy was appointed on the committee to

15 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
18

error, heals the sick, and restores the lost Israel:

Page 18

1 for "the stone which the builders rejected, the same
is become the head of the corner."
3 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
6 to become their pastor. She accepted the call,
and was ordained A. D. 1881. Although walking
through deep waters, the little Church went steadily
9

on, increasing in numbers, and at every epoch
saying,

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."

12 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 re-
15 organized, under her jurisdiction, the Christian
Science Church and named it, THE FIRST CHURCH
OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST.
18 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
21 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
24 By-Law adopted March 17, 1903, changed the
title of "First Members" to "Executive Members."
(On July 8, 1908, the By-Laws pertaining to "Ex-
27

ecutive Members" were repealed.)

Page 19

1 THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, IN BOS-
TON, MASS., is designed to be built on the Rock,
3 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
6

degree the Church Universal and Triumphant.

Page 20 ** No page found **

Page 21

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.

Page 25

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 Direc-

6

tors, a President, a Clerk, a Treasurer, and two
Readers.

President. SECT. 2. The President shall be

9 elected, subject to the approval of the Pastor
Emeritus, by the Board of Directors(1) on Mon-
day preceding the annual meeting of the
12 Church. The President shall hold office for one
year, and the same person is eligible for elec-
tion but once in three years.
15

Clerk and Treasurer. SECT. 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."

Page 26

1 Church (also for the editors and the manager
of The Christian Science Publishing Society,
3 and the manager of the general Committee on
Publication in Boston) is one year each, dating
from the time of election to office. Incumbents
6 who have served one year or more, may be re-
elected, or new officers elected, at the annual
meeting held for this purpose, by a unanimous
9 vote of the Christian Science Board of Direc-
tors and the consent of the Pastor Emeritus
given in her own handwriting.
12 Readers. SECT. 4. Every third year Read-
ers shall be elected in The Mother Church by
the Board of Directors, which shall inform the
15 Pastor Emeritus of the names of its candidates
before they are elected; and if she objects, said
candidates shall not be chosen. The Directors
18

shall fix the salaries of the Readers.

Directors. SECT. 5. The Christian Science
Board of Directors shall consist of five members.

21 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
24

Mrs. Eddy shall dismiss a member. Members
shall neither report the discussions of this Board,
nor those with Mrs. Eddy.

Page 27

1 Church Business. SECT. 6. The business
of The Mother Church shall be transacted by
3 its Christian Science Board of Directors. The
manager of the general Committee on Publi-
cation in the United States shall order no spe-
6 cial action to be taken by said Committee that
is not named in the Manual of this Church
without consulting with the full Board of Di-
9

rectors of The Mother Church and receiving
the written consent of said Board.

Publishing Buildings. SECT. 7. It shall be

12 the duty of the Christian Science Board of Di-
rectors to provide a suitable building for the
publication of The Christian Science Journal,
15 Christian Science Sentinel, Der Herold der
Christian Science
, and all other Christian Sci-
ence literature published by The Christian Science
18 Publishing Society. It shall also be the duty
of the Christian Science Board of Directors to
provide suitable rooms, conveniently and pleas-
21 antly located in the same building, for the pub-
lication and sale of the books of which Mary
Baker Eddy is, or may be, the author, and of
24

other literature connected therewith.

Trusteeships and Syndicates. SECT. 8.
Boards of Trustees and Syndicates may be

Page 28

1 formed by The Mother Church, subject to the
approval of the Pastor Emeritus.
3 Duties of Church Officers. SECT. 9. Law
constitutes government, and disobedience to the
laws of The Mother Church must ultimate in
6 annulling its Tenets and By-Laws. Without a
proper system of government and form of ac-
tion, nations, individuals, and religion are un-
9 protected; hence the necessity of this By-Law
and the warning of Holy Writ: "That servant,
which knew his lord's will, and prepared not
12

himself, neither did according to his will, shall
be beaten with many stripes."

It is the duty of the Christian Science Board of

15 Directors to watch and make sure that the offi-
cers of this Church perform the functions of
their several offices promptly and well. If an
18 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
21 resign his place or to perform his office faith-
fully; then failing to do either, said officer shall
be dismissed from this Church, and his dismis-
24

sal 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

Page 29

1 the First Reader of a church, to inform the
Board of Directors of the failure of the Com-
3 mittee 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
6

complainant.

If the Christian Science Board of Directors fails
to fulfil the requirements of this By-Law, and a

9 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
12 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
15

the vacancy. The salary of the members of the
Board of Directors shall be at present two thou-
sand five hundred dollars each annually.

Article II - READERS OF THE MOTHER CHURCH

Election. SECTION 1. The Readers for The

21

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.

Page 30

1 Eligibility. SECT. 2. The Directors shall
select intelligible Readers who are exemplary
3

Christians and good English scholars. They
must be members of The Mother Church.

Removal. SECT. 3. If a Reader in The

6 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 Di-
9

rectors and the consent of the Pastor Emeritus,
and the vacancy supplied.

First Reader's Residence. SECT. 4. Unless

12 Mrs. Eddy requests otherwise, the First Reader
of The Mother Church shall occupy, during his
term of Readership, the house of the Pastor
15 Emeritus, No. 3 85 Commonwealth Avenue, Bos-
ton. The Board of Directors shall pay from
the Church funds the taxes and rent on this
18 property; the Board shall attend to the insur-
ance before it expires, suitably furnish the
house, and keep the property in good repair, so
21

long as Mrs. Eddy does not occupy the house
herself and the occupants are satisfactory to
her.

Page 31

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

6 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
9 Christian Science largely depends. They must
keep themselves unspotted from the world, -
uncontaminated with evil, - that the mental at-
12 mosphere they exhale shall promote health and
holiness, even that spiritual animus so universally
needed.
15 First Readers' Duties. SECT. 2. It shall be
the duty of the First Readers to conduct the
principal part of the Sunday services, and the
18

Wednesday evening meetings.

Suitable Selections. SECT. 3. The First
Readers shall read, as a part of the Wednesday

21

evening services, selections from the SCRIPTURES,
and from SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO
THE SCRIPTURES.

Page 32

1 Order of Reading. SECT. 4. The First Read-
ers in the Christian Science churches shall read
3 the correlative texts in SCIENCE AND HEALTH
WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES; and the Second
Readers shall read the BIBLE texts. The readings
6 from the SCRIPTURES shall precede the readings
from SCIENCE AND HEALTH. The Readers shall
not read from copies or manuscripts, but from
9

the books.

Naming Book and Author. SECT. 5. The
Readers of SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO

12 THE SCRIPTURES, before commencing to read
from this book, shall distinctly announce the full
title of the book and give the author's name.
15

Such announcement shall be made but once
during the lesson.

Readers in Branch Churches. SECT. 6.

18 These Readers shall be members of The Mother
Church. They shall read understandingly and
be well educated. They shall make no remarks
21 explanatory of the LESSON-SERMON at any time,
but they shall read all notices and remarks that
may be printed in the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUAR-
24

TERLY. This By-Law applies to Readers in all
the branch churches.

Enforcement of By-Laws. SECT. 7. It shall

Page 33

1 be the duty of every member of The Mother
Church, who is a First Reader in a Church of
3

Christ, Scientist, to enforce the discipline and
by-laws of the church in which he is Reader.

A Reader not a Leader. SECT. 8. The Church

6 Reader shall not be a Leader, but he shall main-
tain the Tenets, Rules, and discipline of the
Church. A Reader shall not be a President of
9

a church.

Page 34

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Article IV - QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Believe in Christian Science. SECTION l.
To become a member of The Mother Church,

6 The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Bos-
ton, Mass., the applicant must be a believer in
the doctrines of Christian Science, according to
9 the platform and teaching contained in the Chris-
tian Science textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH
WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Rev. Mary
12 Baker Eddy. The BIBLE, together with SCIENCE
AND HEALTH and other works by Mrs. Eddy,
shall be his only textbooks for self-instruction
15

in Christian Science, and for teaching and prac-
tising metaphysical healing.

Free from Other Denominations. SECT. 2.

13 This Church will receive a member of another
Church of Christ, Scientist, but not a church
member from a different denomination until that
21

membership is dissolved.

Page 35

1 Children when Twelve Years Old. SECT. 3.
Children who have arrived at the age of twelve
3 years, who are approved, and whose applications
are countersigned by one of Mrs. Eddy's loyal stu-
dents, by a Director, or by a student of the Board
6

of Education, may be admitted to membership
with The Mother Church.

Article V - APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Students of the College. SECTION 1. Appli-
cations for membership with The Mother Church

12 from students of the Massachusetts Metaphysical
College who studied with Rev. Mary Baker Eddy,
shall be signed by the Christian Science Board
15

of Directors as evidence of the loyalty of the
applicants .

Other Students. SECT. 2. Applicants for

18 membership who have not studied Christian Sci-
ence with Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, can unite
with this Church only by approval from students
21

of Mrs. Eddy, loyal to the teachings of the text-
book, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE

Page 36

1 SCRIPTURES, or from members of The Mother
Church, as provided in Article VI, Sect. 2, of
3

these By-Laws.

Students' Pupils. SECT. 3. Applications for
membership with The Mother Church, coming

6 from pupils of loyal students who have taken
the Primary or Normal Course at the Massa-
chusetts Metaphysical College or in the Board
9 of Education, or from pupils of those who have
passed an examination by the Board of Educa-
tion, shall have the approval and signature of
12

their teachers, except in such cases as are pro-
vided for in Sect. 4 of this Article.

Exceptional Cases. SECT. 4. Loyal Chris-

15 tian Scientists whose teachers are deceased, ab-
sent, or disloyal, - or those whose teachers, for
insufficient cause, refuse to endorse their appli-
18 cations for membership with The Mother Church,
- can apply to the Clerk of this Church, and
present to him a recommendation signed by three
21 members thereof in good standing, after which,
the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors
may admit said applicant to membership.
21

Addressed to Clerk. SECT. 5. All applica-
tions for membership must be addressed to the
Clerk of the Church.

Page 37

1 Endorsing Applications. SECT. 6. A mem-
ber of The Mother Church shall not endorse nor
3 countersign an application for membership there-
with until after the blank has been properly filled
out by an applicant. A member who violates
6

this By-Law shall be disciplined.

Notice of Rejection. SECT. 7. If an applica-
tion for membership with The First Church of

9 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
12

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

18 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,
21

Sect. 4.

Members of The Mother Church. SECT. 2.
Only members of The Mother Church are quali-

Page 38

1 fied to approve for membership individuals who
are known to them to be Christians, and faith-
3 ful, 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
6

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.

9 Election. SECT. 3. Applicants for member-
ship in this Church, whose applications are
correctly prepared, may be elected by majority

12

vote of the Christian Science Board of Direc-
tors at the semi-annual meetings held for this
purpose.

Article VII -PROBATIONARY MEMBERSHIP

Members who once Withdrew. SECTION 1.

18 Individuals who have heretofore been members
of this Church, or were members of the Church
of Christ, Scientist, organized in 1879 by Mary
21

Baker Eddy, but who have voluntarily with-
drawn, may be received into this Church on one
year's probation, provided they are willing and

Page 39

1 anxious to live according to its requirements and
make application for membership according to
3 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
6

worthy their applications shall be void.

Members once Dismissed. SECT. 2. A full
member or a probationary member, who has

9 been excommunicated once, and who afterward,
when sufficient time has elapsed thoroughly to
test his sincerity, gives due evidence of having
12 genuinely repented and of being radically re-
formed, shall be eligible to probationary mem-
bership upon a unanimous vote of the Christian
15

Science Board of Directors.

Ineligible for Probation. SECT. 3. If a
member has been twice notified of his excom-

18

munication, he shall not again be received into
this Church.

Page 40

DISCIPLINE

Article VIII -GUIDANCE OF MEMBERS

A Rule for Motives and Acts. SECTION 1.
Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment

6 should impel the motives or acts of the members
of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love
alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist
9 reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuk-
ing sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and
forgiveness. The members of this Church should
12 daily watch and pray to be delivered from
all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemn-
ing, counseling, influencing or being influenced
15

erroneously.

To be Read in Church. SECT. 2. The
above Church Rule shall be read in The Mother

18 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
21

be read.

Page 41

1 Christ Jesus the Ensample. SECT. 3. He
who dated the Christian era is the Ensample in
3 Christian Science. Careless comparison or irrev-
erent reference to Christ Jesus is abnormal in a
Christian Scientist, and is prohibited. When it is
6 necessary to show the great gulf between Chris-
tian Science and theosophy, hypnotism, or spirit-
ualism, do it, but without hard words. The wise
9 man saith, "A soft answer turneth away wrath."
However despitefully used and misrepresented
by the churches or the press, in return employ
12 no violent invective, and do good unto your
enemies when the opportunity occurs. A de-
parture from this rule disqualifies a member for
15 office in the Church or on the Board of Lec-
tureship, and renders this member liable to dis-
cipline and, possibly, dismissal from The Mother
18

Church.

Daily Prayer. SECT. 4. It shall be the duty
of every member of this Church to pray each

21 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
24

Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and
govern them!

Page 42

Prayer in Church. SECT. 5. The prayers in
Christian Science churches shall be offered for

3

the congregations collectively and exclusively.

Alertness to Duty. SECT. 6. It shall be the
duty of every member of this Church to defend

6 himself daily against aggressive mental sugges-
tion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect
his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind.
9

BY his works he shall be judged, - and justified
or condemned.

One Christ. SECT. 7. In accordance with

12 the Christian Science textbooks, - the BIBLE,
and SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE
SCRIPTURES, - and in accord with all of Mrs.
15 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
18

the Scripture beareth testimony.

No Malpractice. SECT. 8. Members will not
intentionally or knowingly mentally malpractise,

21 inasmuch as Christian Science can only be prac-
tised according to the Golden Rule: "All things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
24

do ye even so to them." (Matt. 7:12.)

A member of The Mother Church who men-
tally malpractises upon or treats our Leader or

Page 43

1 her staff without her or their consent shall be dis-
ciplined, and a second offense as aforesaid shall
3

cause the name of said member to be dropped
forever from The Mother Church.

Formulas Forbidden. SECT. 9. No member

6 shall use written formulas, nor permit his patients
or pupils to use them, as auxiliaries to teach-
ing Christian Science or for healing the sick.
9 Whatever is requisite for either is contained in
the books of the Discoverer and Founder of
Christian Science. Sometimes she may strengthen
12

the faith by a written text as no one else can.

No Adulterating Christian Science. SECT. 10.
A member of this Church shall not publish

15 profuse quotations from Mary Baker Eddy's
copyrighted works without her permission, and
shall not plagiarize her writings. This By-Law
18 not only calls more serious attention to the com-
mandment of the Decalogue, but tends to pre-
vent Christian Science from being adulterated.
21 No Incorrect Literature. SECT. 11. A mem-
ber of this Church shall neither buy, sell, nor cir-
culate Christian Science literature which is not
24

correct in its statement of the divine Principle
and rules and the demonstration of Christian
Science. Also the spirit in which the writer

Page 44

1 has written his literature shall be definitely con-
sidered. His writings must show strict adher-
3 ence 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
6

schisms in our Church and the possible loss, for
a time, of Christian Science.

Obnoxious Books. SECT. 12. A member of

9 this Church shall not patronize a publishing
house or bookstore that has for sale obnoxious
books.
12 Per Capita Tax. SECT. 13. Every member
of The Mother Church shall pay annually a per
capita tax of not less than one dollar, which shall
15

be forwarded each year to the Church Treasurer.

Church Periodicals. SECT. 14. It shall be the
privilege and duty of every member, who can

18 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 period-
21

icals are ably edited and kept abreast of the
times.

Church Organizations Ample. SECT. 15.

24

Members of this Church shall not unite with
organizations which impede their progress in
Christian Science. God requires our whole heart,

Page 45

1 and he supplies within the wide channels of The
Mother Church dutiful and sufficient occupation
3

for all its members.

Joining Another Society. SECT. 16. It shall
be the duty of the members of The Mother

6 Church and of its branches to promote peace on
earth and good will toward men; but members
of The Mother Church shall not hereafter be-
9 come members of other societies except those
specified in the Mother Church Manual, and
they shall strive to promote the welfare of all
12

mankind by demonstrating the rules of divine
Love.

Forbidden Membership. SECT. 17. A mem-

15 ber of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in
Boston, Mass., shall not be a member of any
church whose Readers are not Christian Scientists
18

and members of The Mother Church.

Officious Members. SECT. 18. A member of
The Mother Church is not entitled to hold office

21

or read in branch churches of this denomination

except by invitation.

Legal Titles. SECT. 19. Students of Chris-

24

tian Science must drop the titles of Reverend and
Doctor, except those who have received these
titles under the laws of the State.

Page 46

1 Illegal Adoption. SECT. 20. No person shall
be a member of this Church who claims a spirit-
3 ually adopted child or a spiritually adopted hus-
band or wife. There must be legal adoption and
legal marriage, which can be verified according
6

to the laws of our land.

Use of Initials "C.S." SECT. 21. A member
of The Mother Church shall not place the initials

9 "C.S." after his name on circulars, cards, or
leaflets, which advertise his business or profes-
sion, except as a Christian Science practitioner.
12 Practitioners and Patients. SECT. 22. Mem-
bers of this Church shall hold in sacred confi-
dence all private communications made to them
15 by their patients; also such information as may
come to them by reason of their relation of prac-
titioner to patient. A failure to do this shall sub-
18

ject the offender to Church discipline.

A member of The Mother Church shall not,
under pardonable circumstances, sue his patient

21 for recovery of payment for said member's
practice, on penalty of discipline and liability
to have his name removed from membership.
24

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

Page 47

1 is a humanitarian; he is benevolent, forgiving,
long-suffering, and seeks to overcome evil with
3

good.

Duty to Patients. SECT. 23. If a member of
this Church has a patient whom he does not heal,

6 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 Chris-
9

tian Scientist to confer with an M. D. on Ontol-
ogy, or the Science of being.

Testimonials. SECT. 24. "Glorify God in

12 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
15 rehearsal of blessings, it scales the pinnacle of
praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ,
"who healeth all thy diseases" (Psalm 103:3).
18 This testimony, however, shall not include a de-
scription of symptoms or of suffering, though the
generic name of the disease may be indicated.
21 This By-Law applies to testimonials which appear
in the periodicals and to those which are given
at the Wednesday evening meeting.
24

Charity to All. SECT. 25. While members
of this Church do not believe in the doctrines
of theosophy, hypnotism, or spiritualism, they

Page 48

1 cherish no enmity toward those who do believe
in such doctrines, and will not harm them. But
3 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.
6 Uncharitable Publications. SECT. 26. A
member of this Church shall not publish, nor
cause to be published, an article that is unchari-
9

table or impertinent towards religion, medicine,
the courts, or the laws of our land.

The Golden Rule. SECT. 27. A member of

12 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
15

for such a purpose.

Numbering the People. SECT. 28. Christian
Scientists shall not report for publication the

18 number of the members of The Mother Church,
nor that of the branch churches. According to
the Scripture they shall turn away from person-
21

ality and numbering the people.

Our Church Edifices. SECT. 29. The period-
icals of our denomination do not publish de-

24

scriptions of our church edifices, but they may
quote from other periodicals or give incidental
narratives.

Page 49

1 No Monopoly. SECT. 30. A Scientist shall
not endeavor to monopolize the healing work in

3 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,
6

and "by their fruits ye shall know them."

Christian Science Nurse. SECT. 31. A mem-
ber of The Mother Church who represents him-

9 self or herself as a Christian Science nurse shall
be one who has a demonstrable knowledge of
Christian Science practice, who thoroughly under-
12

stands 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

13

The Christian Science Journal under rules estab-
lished by the publishers.

Article IX - MARRIAGE AND DECEASE

A Legal Ceremony. SECTION 1. If a Chris-
tian Scientist is to be married, the ceremony

21

shall be performed by a clergyman who is legally
authorized.

Sudden Decease. SECT. 2. If a member of

24

The Mother Church shall decease suddenly, with-
out previous injury or illness, and the cause

Page 50

thereof be unknown, an autopsy shall be made
by qualified experts. When it is possible the

3

body of a female shall be prepared for burial by
one of her own sex.

Article X - DEBATING IN PUBLIC

No Unauthorized Debating. SECTION 1. A
member of this Church shall not debate on Chris-

9

tian Science in public debating assemblies, with-
out 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

15 Tenets and be found having the name without
the life of a Christian Scientist, and another
member in good standing shall from Christian
18 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,
21

put on probation, or excommunicated.

Violation of By-Laws. SECT. 2. A member
who is found violating any of the By-Laws

Page 51

1 or Rules herein set forth, shall be admonished
in consonance with the Scriptural demand in
3 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
6

dropped from the roll of Church membership.

Violation of Christian Fellowship. SECT. 3.
Any member who shall unjustly aggrieve or

9 vilify the Pastor Emeritus or another member,
or who does not live in Christian fellowship with
members who are in good and regular standing
12

with this Church, shall either withdraw from the
Church or be excommunicated.

Preliminary Requirement. SECT. 4. No

15 church discipline shall ensue until the require-
ments according to the Scriptures, in Matthew
18:15-17, have been strictly obeyed, unless a
18

By-Law governing the case provides for imme-
diate action.

Authority. SECT. 5. The Christian Science

21 Board of Directors has power to discipline, place
on probation, remove from membership, or to
excommunicate members of The Mother Church.
24

Only the members of this Board shall be pres-
ent at meetings for the examination of com-
plaints against church members; and they alone

Page 52

1 shall vote on cases involving The Mother Church
discipline.
3 Members in Mother Church Only. SECT. 6.
A complaint against a member of The Mother
Church, if said member belongs to no branch
6 church and if this complaint is not for mental
malpractice
, shall be laid before this Board, and
within ten days thereafter, the Clerk of the
9 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
12 whereof he is accused and his previous character
has been good, his confession of his error and
evidence of his compliance with our Church
15 Rules shall be deemed sufficient by the Board
for forgiveness for once, and the Clerk of the
Church shall immediately so inform him. But
18

a second offense shall dismiss a member from
the Church.

Working Against the Cause. SECT. 7 . If a

21 member of this Church shall, mentally or other-
wise, persist in working against the interests of
another member, or the interests of our Pastor
24

Emeritus and the accomplishment of what she
understands is advantageous to this Church and
to the Cause of Christian Science, or shall influ-

Page 53

1 ence others thus to act, upon her complaint or
the complaint of a member for her or for himself,
3 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
6

from the roll of Church membership.

No Unchristian Conduct. SECT. 8 . If a
member of this Church were to treat the author

9 of our textbook disrespectfully and cruelly, upon
her complaint that member should be excommu-
nicated. If a member, without her having re-
12 quested the information, shall trouble her on
subjects unnecessarily and without her consent,
it shall be considered an offense.
15 Not to Learn Hypnotism. SECT. 9. Mem-
bers of this Church shall not learn hypnotism
on penalty of being excommunicated from this
18 Church. No member shall enter a complaint of
mental malpractice for a sinister purpose. If
the author of SCIENCE AND HEALTH shall bear
21

witness to the offense of mental malpractice, it
shall be considered a sufficient evidence thereof.

Publications Unjust. SECT. 10. If a mem-

24

ber 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

Page 54

1 Leader, and if, upon complaint by another mem-
ber, the Board of Directors finds that the offense
3 has been committed, the offender shall be sus-
pended for not less than three years from his
or her office in this Church and from Church
6

membership.

The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist,
Tenets
. SECT. 11. If a member of The Mother

9 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 -
12 on complaint of Mrs. Eddy our Pastor Emeritus
-- and this complaint being found valid, his or
her name shall be erased from The Mother
15 Church and the branch church's list of mem-
bership and the offender shall not be received
into The Mother Church or a branch church
18

for twelve years.

Special Offense. SECT. 12. If a member of
this Church, either by word or work, represents

21 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
24

name from membership in The Mother Church.

Members of Branch Churches. SECT. 13. A
member of both The Mother Church and a branch

Page 55

1 Church of Christ, Scientist, or a Reader, shall not
report nor send notices to The Mother Church,
3 or to the Pastor Emeritus, of errors of the mem-
bers of their local church; but they shall strive
to overcome these errors. Each church shall
6

separately and independently discipline its own
members, - if this sad necessity occurs.

Article XII -TEACHERS

Probation. SECTION 1. For sufficient rea-
sons it may be decided that a teacher has so

12 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
15 and retaining his membership, this weak member
shall not be counted loyal till after three years
of exemplary character. Then the Board of
18 Directors may decide if his loyalty has been
proved by uniform maintenance of the life of
a consistent, consecrated Christian Scientist.
21 Misteaching. SECT. 2. If a member of this
Church is found trying to practise or to teach
Christian Science contrary to the statement
24

thereof in its textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH

Page 56

1 WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, it shall be the
duty of the Board of Directors to admonish
3 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
6

of this Church.

MEETINGS

Article XIII - REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

Annual Meetings. SECTION 1. The regular
meetings of The Mother Church shall be held

12 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
15

listening to the reports of Treasurer, Clerk, and
Committees, and general reports from the Field.

Meetings of Board of Directors. SECT. 2.

18 The annual meeting of the Christian Science
Board of Directors, for electing officers and
other business, shall be held on Monday preced-
21

ing the annual meeting of the Church. Regular
meetings for electing candidates to membership

Page 57

1 with The Mother Church, and for the transac-
tion of such other business as may properly come
3 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. Spe-
6

cial meetings may be held at any time upon the
call of the Clerk.

Called only by the Clerk. SECT. 3. Before

9 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 Di-
12 rectors and the Pastor Emeritus of his intention,
and to state definitely the purpose for which the
members are to convene. The Clerk must have
15

the consent of this Board and the Pastor Emer-
itus, before he can call said meeting.

Page 58

CHURCH SERVICES

Article XIV - THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PASTOR

Ordination. SECTION 1. I, Mary Baker
Eddy, ordain the BIBLE, and SCIENCE AND

6 HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, Pastor
over The Mother Church, - The First Church
of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., - and
9

they will continue to preach for this Church
and the world.

The Lesson-Sermon. SECT. 2. The subject

12 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
15

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.

21

To pour into the ears of listeners the sacred

Page 59

1 revelations of Christian Science indiscriminately,
or without characterizing their origin and thus
3 distinguishing them from the writings of authors
who think at random on this subject, is to
lose some weight in the scale of right think-
6 ing. 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
9 Emeritus, first to announce the name of the
author. Members shall also instruct their pupils
to adopt the aforenamed method for the benefit
12

of our Cause.

Article XVI -WELCOMING STRANGERS

15 The Leader's Welcome. SECTION 1. Mrs.
Eddy welcomes to her seats in the church,
persons of all sects and denominations who
18

come to listen to the Sunday sermon and are
not otherwise provided with seats.

The Local Members' Welcome. SECT. 2. It

21 shall be the duty and privilege of the local mem-
bers of The Mother Church to give their seats, if
necessary, to strangers who may come to attend
24

the morning services.

Page 60

Article XVII -SERVICES UNINTERRUPTED

3 Continued Throughout the Year. SECTION 1.
The services of The Mother Church shall be
continued twelve months each year. One meet-
6 ing on Sunday during the months of July and
August is sufficient. A Christian Scientist is
not fatigued by prayer, by reading the Scriptures
9 or the Christian Science textbook. Amusement
or idleness is weariness. Truth and Love rest
the weary and heavy laden.
12 Easter Observances. SECT. 2. In the United
States there shall be no special observances,
festivities, nor gifts at the Easter season by
15 members of The Mother Church. Gratitude
and love should abide in every heart each day
of all the years. Those sacred words of our
18 beloved Master, "Let the dead bury their dead,"
and "Follow thou me," appeal to daily Christian
endeavors for the living whereby to exemplify
21

our risen Lord.

Laying a Corner Stone. SECT. 3. No large
gathering of people nor display shall be allowed

24

when laying the Corner Stone of a Church of
Christ, Scientist. Let the ceremony be devout.

Page 61

1 No special trowel should be used. (See SCIENCE
AND HEALTH, page 140.)
3

Overflow Meetings. SECT. 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

9

Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, shall observe
no more Communion seasons.

Communion of Branch Churches. SECT. 2.

12 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
15

of The Mother Church are to be read.

Article XIX - MUSIC IN THE CHURCH

18 Soloist and Organist. SECTION 1. The music
in The Mother Church shall not be operatic, but
of an appropriate religious character and of a
21 recognized standard of musical excellence; it
shall be played in a dignified and suitable man-
ner. Music from the organ alone should con-
24

tinue about eight or nine minutes for the

Page 62

1 voluntary and six or seven minutes for the post-
lude, the offertory conforming to the time re-
3

quired to take the collection. The solo singer
shall not neglect to sing any special hymn selected
by the Board of Directors.

Article XX - SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday School. SECTION 1. Pupils may

9 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
12 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
15 the age of twenty. None except the officers,
teachers, and pupils should attend the Sunday
School exercises.
18 Teaching the Children. SECT. 2. The
Sabbath School children shall be taught the
Scriptures, and they shall be instructed ac-
21 cording to their understanding or ability to grasp
the simpler meanings of the divine Principle that
they are taught.
24

Subject for Lessons. SECT. 3. The first
lessons of the children should be the Ten Com-

Page 63

1 mandments (Exodus 20: 3-17), the Lord's
Prayer (Matt. 6: 9-13), and its Spiritual In-
3 terpretation by Mary Baker Eddy, Sermon on
the Mount (Matt. 5: 3-12). The next les-
sons consist of such questions and answers as
6 are adapted to a juvenile class, and may be
found in the Christian Science Quarterly Lessons,
read in Church services. The instruction given
9

by the children's teachers must not deviate from
the absolute Christian Science contained in their
textbook.

READING ROOMS

Article XXI

Establishment. SECTION 1. Each church of

15 the Christian Science denomination shall have
a Reading Room, though two or more churches
may unite in having Reading Rooms, provided
18

these rooms are well located.

Librarian. SECT. 2. The individuals who
take charge of the Reading Rooms of The

21 Mother Church shall be elected by the Christian
Science Board of Directors, subject to the ap-
proval of Mary Baker Eddy. He or she shall
24

have no bad habits, shall have had experience in

Page 64

1 the Field, shall be well educated, and a devout
Christian Scientist.(1)
3 Literature in Reading Rooms. SECT. 3. The
literature sold or exhibited in the reading rooms
of Christian Science Churches shall consist only
6 of Science and Health with Key to the Scrip-
tures
, by Mary Baker Eddy, and other writings
by this author; also the literature published or
9

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,

15 loyal Christian Scientists had given to the author
of their textbook, the Founder of Christian Sci-
ence, the individual, endearing term of Mother.
18 At first Mrs. Eddy objected to being called thus,
but afterward consented on the ground that this
appellative in the Church meant nothing more
21 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
24

name, it is the duty of Christian Scientists to

(1)See also Article XXV, Sect. 7.

Page 65

1 drop the word mother and to substitute Leader,
already used in our periodicals.
3 A Member not a Leader. SECT. 2. A
member of The First Church of Christ, Sci-
entist, in Boston, Mass., shall not be called
6 Leader by members of this Church, when this
term is used in connection with Christian
Science .
9 Obedience Required. SECT. 3. It shall be
the duty of the officers of this Church, of the
editors of the Christian Science Journal, Sen-
12 tinel, and Der Herold, of the members of the
Committees on Publication, of the Trustees of
The Christian Science Publishing Society, and
15 of the Board of Education promptly to comply
with any written order, signed by Mary Baker
Eddy, which applies to their official functions.
18 Disobedience to this By-Law shall be sufficient
cause for the removal of the offending member
from office.
21 The vacancy shall be supplied by a majority
vote of the Christian Science Board of Direc-
tors, and the candidate shall be subject to the
24

approval of Mary Baker Eddy.

Understanding Communications. SECT. 4.
If the Clerk of this Church shall receive a com-

Page 66

1 munication from the Pastor Emeritus which he
does not fully understand, he shall inform her
3 of this fact before presenting it to the Church
and obtain a clear understanding of the matter,
- then act in accordance therewith.
6 Interpreting Communications. SECT. 5. If
at a meeting of this Church a doubt or dis-
agreement shall arise among the members as to
9 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
12

the vexed question and to await her explanation
thereof.

Reading and Attesting Letters. SECT. 6.

15 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
18 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
21

authority supposed to come from her satisfac-
torily attested.

Unauthorized Reports. SECT. 7. Members

24

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

Page 67

1 of this Church. The Pastor Emeritus is not to
be consulted on cases of discipline, on the cases
3 of candidates for admission to this Church, or
on the cases of those on trial for dismissal from
the Church.
6 Private Communications. SECT. 8. A strictly
private communication from the Pastor Emeritus
to a member of her Church shall not be made
9

public without her written consent.

Unauthorized Legal Action. SECT. 9. A

member of this Church shall not employ an at-

12 torney, nor take legal action on a case not pro-
vided for in its By-Laws - if said case relates
to the person or to the property of Mary Baker
15

Eddy - without having personally conferred
with her on said subject.

Duty to God. SECT. 10. Members of this

18 Church who turn their attention from the divine
Principle of being to personality, sending gifts,
congratulatory despatches or letters to the Pastor
21 Emeritus on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year,
or Easter, break a rule of this Church and are
amenable therefor.
24

Opportunity for Serving the Leader. SECT.
11. At the written request of the Pastor Emeri-
tus, Mrs. Eddy, the Board of Directors shall

Page 68

1 immediately notify a person who has been a
member of this Church at least three years to
3 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
6 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
9 be excommunicated from The Mother Church.
Members thus serving the Leader shall be paid
semi-annually at the rate of one thousand dol-
12 lars yearly in addition to rent and board. Those
members whom she teaches the course in Divin-
ity, and who remain with her three consecutive
15

years, receive the degree of the Massachusetts
Metaphysical College.

Location. SECT. 12. Rev. Mary Baker Eddy

18 calls to her home or allows to visit or to locate
therein only those individuals whom she engages
through the Christian Science Board of Direc-
21

tors of the Mother Church. This By-Law takes
effect on Dec. 15, 1908.

Agreement Required. SECT. l3. When the

24

Christian Science Board of Directors calls a stu-
dent in accordance with Article XXII, Sect. 11,
of our Church Manual to the home of their

Page 69

1 Leader, Mrs. Eddy, said student shall come under
a signed agreement to remain with Mrs. Eddy
3

if she so desires, during the time specified in the
Church Manual.

Incomplete Term of Service. SECT. 14. If a

6 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-
9 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 dur-
12

ing the time of such service.

Help. SECT. 15. If the author of the Chris-
tian Science textbook call on this Board for

15 household help or a handmaid, the Board shall
immediately appoint a proper member of this
Church therefor, and the appointee shall go im-
18 mediately in obedience to the call. "He that lov-
eth father or mother more than me is not worthy
of me.'' (Matt. 10:37.)
21 Students with Mrs. Eddy. SECT. 16. Stu-
dents employed by Mrs. Eddy at her home shall
not take care of their churches or attend to other
24

affairs outside of her house.

Mrs. Eddy's Room. SECT. l7. The room in
The Mother Church formerly known as "Mother's

27

Room" shall hereafter be closed to visitors.

Page 70

1 Pastor Emeritus to be Consulted. SECT. 18.
The Mother Church shall not make a church By-
3 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
6

subject and adhering strictly to her advice thereon.

THE MOTHER CHURCH AND BRANCH CHURCHES

Article XXI I I

Local Self-government. SECTION 1. The
Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, shall assume

12

no general official control of other churches, and
it shall be controlled by none other.

Each Church of Christ, Scientist, shall have its

15 own form of government. No conference of
churches shall be held, unless it be when our
churches, located in the same State, convene to
18 confer on a statute of said State, or to confer
harmoniously on individual unity and action of
the churches in said State.
21

Titles. SECT. 2. "The First Church of
Christ, Scientist," is the legal title of The Mother

Page 71

1 Church. Branch churches of The Mother Church
may take the title of First Church of Christ,
3 Scientist; Second Church of Christ, Scientist;
and so on, where more than one church is es-
tablished in the same place; but the article
6 "The" must not be used before titles of branch
churches, nor written on applications for mem-
bership in naming such churches.
9 Mother Church Unique. SECT. 3. In its
relation to other Christian Science churches, in
its By-Laws and self-government, The Mother
12 Church stands alone; it occupies a position that
no other church can fill. Then for a branch
church to assume such position would be disas-
15 trous to Christian Science. Therefore, no Church
of Christ, Scientist, shall be considered loyal
that has branch churches or adopts The Mother
18

Church's form of government, except in such cases
as are specially allowed and named in this Manual.

Tenets Copyrighted. SECT. 4. Branch

21 churches shall not write the Tenets of The
Mother Church in their church books, except
they give the name of their author and her
24

permission to publish them as Tenets of The
Mother Church, copyrighted in SCIENCE AND
HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES.

Page 72

1 Manual. SECT. 5. Branch churches shall
not adopt, print, nor publish the Manual of The

3

Mother Church. See Article XXXV, Sect. 1.

Organizing Churches. SECT. 6. A member
of this Church who obeys its By-Laws and is a

6 loyal exemplary Christian Scientist working in
the Field, is eligible to form a church in con-
formity with Sect.
7 of this Article, and to
9 have church services conducted by reading the
SCRIPTURES and the Christian Science textbook.
This church shall be acknowledged publicly as a
12 Church of Christ, Scientist. Upon proper appli-
cation, made in accordance with the rules of The
Christian Science Publishing Society, the serv-
15 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
18 churches shall consolidate under one church gov-
ernment. If the Pastor Emeritus, Mrs. Eddy,
should relinquish her place as the head or Leader
21 of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, each
branch church shall continue its present form of
government in consonance with The Mother
24

Church Manual.

Requirements for Organizing Branch
Churches
. SECT. 7. A branch church of The

27

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.,

Page 73

1 shall not be organized with less than sixteen loyal
Christian Scientists, four of whom are members
3 of The Mother Church. This membership shall
include at least one active practitioner whose card
is published in the list of practitioners in The
6

Christian Science Journal.

Privilege of Members. SECT. 8. Members
in good standing with The Mother Church, who

9 are members of the faculty, instructors, or stu-
dents in any university or college, can form and
conduct a Christian Science organization at such
12 university or college, provided its rules so permit.
Also members in good standing with The Mother
Church, who are graduates of said university
15 or college, may become members of the organ-
ization by application to, and by the unanimous
vote of, the active members present, if the rules
18 of the university or college so permit. When
called for, a member of the Board of Lecture-
ship may lecture for said university or college
21

organization.

No Close Communion. SECT. 9. The
Mother Church and the branch churches shall

24

not confine their membership to the pupils of
one teacher.

No Interference. SECT. 10. A member of The

27

Mother Church may be a member of one branch

Page 74

1 Church of Christ, Scientist, or of one Christian
Science society holding public services, but he
3 shall not be a member of both a branch church
and a society; neither shall he exercise super-
vision or control over any other church. In
6 Christian Science each branch church shall be
distinctly democratic in its government, and no
individual, and no other church shall interfere
9

with its affairs.

Teachers' and Practitioners' Offices. SECT. 11.
Teachers and practitioners of Christian Science

12 shall not have their offices or rooms in the branch
churches, in the reading rooms, nor in rooms
connected therewith.
15 Recognition. SECT. 12. In order to be eli-
gible to a card in The Christian Science Journal,
churches and societies are required to acknowl-
18 edge as such all other Christian Science churches
and societies advertised in said Journal, and to
maintain toward them an attitude of Christian
21

fellowship.

Page 75

GUARDIANSHIP OF CHURCH FUNDS

Article XXIV

3 Church Edifice a Testimonial. SECTION 1.
Whereas, on March 20, 1895, the Christian Sci-
ence Board of Directors, in behalf of The
6 First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.,
presented to Rev. Mary Baker Eddy their
church edifice as a Testimonial of this Church's
9 love and gratitude, and she, with grateful ac-
knowledgments thereof, declined to receive this
munificent gift, she now understands the finan-
12 cial situation between the Christian Science
Board of Directors and said Church to be as
follows: -
15 Financial Situation. SECT. 2. The Christian
Science Board of Directors owns the church edi-
fices, with the land whereon they stand, legally;
18 and the Church members own the aforesaid
premises and buildings, beneficially. After the
first church was built, the balance of the build-
21

ing funds, which remained in the hands of the
Directors, belonged to the Church, and not solely
to the Directors. The balance of the church

Page 76

1 building funds, which can be spared after the
debts are paid, should remain on safe deposit,
3 to be hereafter used for the benefit of this
Church, as the right occasion may call for it.
The following indicates the proper management
6

of the Church funds: -

Report of Directors. SECT. 3. It shall be
the duty of the Christian Science Board of Di-

9 rectors to have the books of the Church Treas-
urer audited semi-annually, and to report at the
annual Church meeting the amount of funds
12 which the Church has on hand, the amount of
its indebtedness and of its expenditures for the
last year.
15 Finance Committee. SECT. 4. There shall
be a Committee on Finance, which shall consist of
three members of this Church in good standing.
18 Its members shall be appointed annually by the
Christian Science Board of Directors and with
the consent of the Pastor Emeritus. They shall
21 hold quarterly meetings and keep themselves
thoroughly informed as to the real estate owned
by this Church and the amount of funds received
24

by the Treasurer of The Mother Church, who is
individually responsible for said funds. They
shall have the books of the Christian Science

Page 77

1 Board of Directors and the books of the Church
Treasurer audited annually by an honest, com-
3

petent accountant. The books are to be audited
on May first.

Prior to paying bills against the Church, the

6 Treasurer of this Church shall submit them all
to said committee for examination. This com-
mittee shall decide thereupon by a unanimous
9

vote, and its endorsement of the bills shall render
them payable.

If it be found that the Church funds have not

12 been properly managed, it shall be the duty of
the Board of Directors and the Treasurer to be
individually responsible for the performance of
15 their several offices satisfactorily, and for the
proper distribution of the funds of which they
are the custodians.
18 God's Requirement. SECT. 5. God requires
wisdom, economy, and brotherly love to char-
acterize all the proceedings of the members of
21

The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ,
Scientist.

Provision for the Future. SECT. 6. In case

24

of any possible future deviation from duty, the
Committee on Finance shall visit the Board of
Directors, and, in a Christian spirit and manner,

Page 78

1 demand that each member thereof comply with
the By-Laws of the Church. If any Director
3 fails to heed this admonition, he may be dis-
missed from office and the vacancy supplied by
the Board.
6 Debt and Duty. SECT. 7. The Mother Church
shall not be made legally responsible for the debts
of individuals except such debts as are specified
9 in its By-Laws. Donations from this Church
shall not be made without the written consent
of the Pastor Emeritus. Also important move-
12 ments of the manager of the Committee on Pub-
lication shall be sanctioned by the Board of
Directors and be subject to the approval of Mary
15

Baker Eddy. (See Article I, Sect. 6.)

Emergencies. SECT. 8. The Treasurer, per-
sonally, or through the Clerk of the Church,

18 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
21 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
24

the first of the following month, to the Board
of Directors and the Committee on Finance, for
their approval.

Page 79

1 Committee on Business. SECT. 9. The Chris-
tian Science Board of Directors shall elect
3 annually a Committee on Business, which shall
consist of not less than three loyal members
of The Mother Church, who shall transact
6 promptly and efficiently such business as Mrs.
Eddy, the Directors, or the Committee on Pub-
lication shall commit to it. While the mem-
9 bers of this Committee are engaged in the
transaction of the business assigned to them
they shall be paid from the Church funds.
12

Before being eligible for office the names of the
persons nominated for said office shall be pre-
sented to Mrs. Eddy for her written approval.

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY

Article XXV

18 Board of Trustees. SECTION 1. The Board
of Trustees, constituted by a Deed of Trust
given by Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the Pastor
21

Emeritus of this Church, on January twenty-
fifth, 1898, shall hold and manage the property
therein conveyed, and conduct the business of

Page 80

1 "The Christian Science Publishing Society" on
a strictly Christian basis, for the promotion of
3

the interests of Christian Science.

Disposal of Funds. SECT. 2. The net profits
of the business shall be paid over semi-annually

6 to the Treasurer of The Mother Church. He
shall hold this money subject to the order of
the Christian Science Board of Directors, which
9 is authorized to order its disposition only in
accordance with the By-Laws contained in this
Manual.
12 Vacancies in Trusteeship. SECT. 3. The
Christian Science Board of Directors shall have
the power to declare vacancies in said trusteeship,
15

for such reasons as to the Board may seem ex-
pedient.

Whenever a vacancy shall occur, the Pastor

18 Emeritus reserves the right to fill the same by
appointment; but if she does not elect to exer-
cise this right, the remaining trustees shall fill
21

the vacancy, subject to her approval.

Editors and Manager. SECT. 4. The term
of office for the editors and the manager of The

24

Christian Science Publishing Society is one year
each, dating from the time of election to the
office. Incumbents who have served one year or

Page 81

1 more can be re-elected, or new officers elected,
by a unanimous vote of the Christian Science
3

Board of Directors, and the consent of the Pastor
Emeritus given in her own handwriting.

Suitable Employees. SECT. 5. A person

6 who is not accepted by the Pastor Emeritus and
the Christian Science Board of Directors as
suitable, shall in no manner be connected with
9 publishing her books, nor with editing or pub-
lishing The Christian Science Journal, Christian
Science Sentinel, Der Herold der Christian Sci-
12

ence, nor with The Christian Science Publishing
Society.

Periodicals. SECT. 6. Periodicals which

15 shall at any time be published by The Christian
Science Publishing Society, shall be copyrighted
and conducted according to the provisions in the
18

Deed of Trust relating to The Christian Science
Journal
.

Rule of Conduct. SECT. 7. No objectionable

21 pictures shall be exhibited in the rooms where the
Christian Science textbook is published or sold.
No idle gossip, no slander, no mischief-making,
24

no evil speaking shall be allowed.

Books to be Published. SECT. 8. Only the
Publishing Society of The Mother Church selects,

Page 82

1 approves, and publishes the books and litera-
ture it sends forth. If Mary Baker Eddy disap-
3 proves of certain books or literature, the Society
will not publish them. The Committees on Publi-
cation are in no manner connected with these
6 functions. A book or an article of which Mrs.
Eddy is the author shall not be published nor
republished by this Society without her knowl-
9

edge or written consent.

Removal of Cards. SECT. 9. No cards shall
be removed from our periodicals without the re-

12 quest 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 exam-
15

ination of complaints.

Members of this Church who practise other
professions or pursue other vocations, shall not

18 advertise as healers, excepting those members
who are officially engaged in the work of Chris-
tian Science, and they must devote ample time
21

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

6

money, but of morals and religion, healing and
uplifting the race.

Care of Pupils. SECT. 2. Christian Scientists

9 who are teachers shall carefully select for pupils
such only as have good past records and promis-
ing proclivities toward Christian Science. A
12 teacher shall not assume personal control of, or
attempt to dominate his pupils, but he shall hold
himself morally obligated to promote their prog-
15 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
18 and practical in Christian Science. He shall per-
sistently and patiently counsel his pupils in con-
form