This work was published before January 1, 1927, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

 


Table of Contents

TENETS 15
HISTORICAL SKETCH 17
LIST OF CHURCH OFFICERS 21
 

Church By-Laws

CHURCH OFFICERS
 Names, Election, and Duties. Art. I.
  Names 25
  President 25
  Clerk and Treasurer 25
  Readers 26
  Directors 26
  Church Business 27
  Publishing Buildings 27
  Trusteeships and Syndicates 27
  Duties of Church Officers 28
 
 Readers of The Mother Church. Art. II.
  Election 29
  Eligibility 30
  Removal 30
  First Reader's Residence 30

 Duties of Readers of The Mother Church and of its Branch Churches. Art. III.
  Moral Obligations 31
  First Readers' Duties 31
  Suitable Selections 31
  Order of Reading 32
  Naming Book and Author 32
  Readers in Branch Churches 32
  Enforcement of By-Laws 32
  A Reader not a Leader 33
 
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
 Qualifications for Membership. Art. IV.
  Believe in Christian Science 34
  Free from Other Denominations 34
  Children when Twelve Years Old 35
 
 Applications for Membership. Art. V.
  Students of the College 35
  Other Students 35
  Students' Pupils 36
  Exceptional Cases 36
  Addressed to Clerk 36
  Endorsing Applications 37
  Notice of Rejection 37
 
 Recommendation and Election. Art. VI.
  Pupils of Normal Students 37
  Members of The Mother Church 37
  Election 38
 
 Probationary Membership. Art. VII.
  Members who once Withdrew 38
  Members once Dismissed 39
  Ineligible for Probation 39

DISCIPLINE
 Guidance of Members. Art. VIII.
  A Rule for Motives and Acts 40
  To be Read in Church 40
  Christ Jesus the Ensample 41
  Daily Prayer 41
  Prayer in Church 42
  Alertness to Duty 42
  One Christ 42
  No Malpractice 42
  Formulas Forbidden 43
  No Adulterating Christian Science  43
  No Incorrect Literature 43
  Obnoxious Books 44
  Per Capita Tax 44
  Church Periodicals 44
  Church Organizations Ample 44
  Joining Another Society 45
  Forbidden Membership 45
  Officious Members 45
  Legal Titles 45
  Illegal Adoption 46
  Use of Initials “C. S.” 46
  Practitioners and Patients 46
  Duty to Patients 47
  Testimonials 47
  Charity to All 47
  Uncharitable Publications 48
  The Golden Rule 48
  Numbering the People 48
  Our Church Edifices 48

  No Monopoly 49
  Christian Science Nurse 49
 
 Marriage and Decease. Art. IX.
  A Legal Ceremony 49
  Sudden Decease 49
 
 Debating in Public. Art. X.
  No Unauthorized Debating 50
 
 Complaints. Art. XI.
  Departure from Tenets 50
  Violation of By-Laws 50
  Violation of Christian Fellowship 51
  Preliminary Requirement 51
  Authority 51
  Members in Mother Church Only 52
  Working Against the Cause 52
  No Unchristian Conduct 53
  Not to Learn Hypnotism 53
  Publications Unjust 53
  The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, Tenets  54
  Special Offense 54
  Members of Branch Churches 54
 
 Teachers. Art. XII.
  Probation 55
  Misteaching 55
 
MEETINGS
 Regular and Special Meetings. Art. XIII.
  Annual Meetings 56
  Meetings of Board of Directors 56
  Called only by the Clerk 57

CHURCH SERVICES
 The Christian Science Pastor. Art. XIV.
  Ordination 58
  The Lesson-Sermon 58
 
 Reading in Public. Art. XV.
  Announcing Author's Name 58
 
 Welcoming Strangers. Art. XVI.
  The Leader's Welcome 59
  The Local Members' Welcome 59
 
 Services Uninterrupted. Art. XVII.
  Continued Throughout the Year 60
  Easter Observances 60
  Laying a Corner-Stone 60
  Overflow Meetings 61
 
 Communion. Art. XVIII.
  No More Communion 61
  Communion of Branch Churches 61
 
 Music in the Church. Art. XIX.
  Soloist and Organist 61
 
 Sunday School. Art. XX.
  The Sunday School 62
  Teaching the Children 62
  Subject for Lessons 62
 
READING ROOMS. Art. XXI.
  Establishment 63
  Librarian 63
  Literature in Reading Rooms 64

RELATION AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS TO PASTOR EMERITUS. Art. XXII.
  The Title of Mother Changed 64
  A Member not a Leader 65
  Obedience Required 65
  Understanding Communications 65
  Interpreting Communications 66
  Reading and Attesting Letters 66
  Unauthorized Reports 66
  Private Communications 67
  Unauthorized Legal Action 67
  Duty to God 67
  Opportunity for Serving the Leader 67
  Location 68
  Agreement Required 68
  Incomplete Term of Service 69
  Help 69
  Students with Mrs. Eddy 69
  Mrs. Eddy's Room 69
  Pastor Emeritus to be Consulted 70
 

THE MOTHER CHURCH AND BRANCH CHURCHES. Art. XXIII.

  Local Self-government 70
  Titles 70
  Mother Church Unique 71
  Tenets Copyrighted 71
  Manual 72
  Organizing Churches 72
  Requirements for Organizing Branch Churches 72
  Privilege of Members 73
  No Close Communion 73

  No Interference 73
  Teachers' and Practitioners' Offices 74
  Recognition 74
 
GUARDIANSHIP OF CHURCH FUNDS. Art. XXIV.
  Church Edifice a Testimonial 75
  Financial Situation 75
  Report of Directors 76
  Finance Committee 76
  God's Requirement 77
  Provision for the Future 77
  Debt and Duty 78
  Emergencies 78
  Committee on Business 79
 
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY. Art. XXV.
  Board of Trustees 79
  Disposal of Funds 80
  Vacancies in Trusteeship 80
  Editors and Manager 80
  Suitable Employees 81
  Periodicals 81
  Rule of Conduct 81
  Books to be Published 81
  Removal of Cards 82
 
TEACHING CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
 Teachers. Art. XXVI.
  Motive in Teaching 83
  Care of Pupils 83
  Defence against Malpractice 84

  Number of Pupils 84
  Pupils' Tuition 84
  Associations 84
  A Single Field of Labor 84
  Caring for Pupils of Strayed Members  85
  Teachers must have Certificates 85
 
 Pupils. Art. XXVII.
  Authorized to Teach 86
  Without Teachers 86
  Basis for Teaching 86
  Church Membership 87
  Class Teaching 87
 
BOARD OF EDUCATION
 Organization. Art. XXVIII.
  Officers 88
  Election 88
  President not to be Consulted 88
  Presidency of College 89
 
 Applicants and Graduates. Art. XXIX.
  Normal Teachers 89
  Qualifications 89
  Certificates 90
 
 Action of the Board. Art. XXX.
  Sessions 90
  Special Instruction 90
  Signatures 91
  Remuneration and Free Scholarship 91
  Surplus Funds 91
  Primary Students 91

  Healing Better than Teaching 92
  Not Members of The Mother Church 92
 
BOARD OF LECTURESHIP
 Organization and Duties. Art. XXXI.
  Election 93
  Duty of Lecturers 93
  No Disruption of Branch Churches 93
  Receptions 94
  Circuit Lecturer 94
 Calls for Lectures. Art. XXXII.
  From the Directors 95
  From Branch Churches 95
  From Societies 95
  Annual Lectures 95
  No Lectures by Readers 95
  No Wednesday Evening Lectures 96
  Lecture Fee 96
  Expenses 96
  Exceptional Cases 96
 
COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION. Art. XXXIII.
  In The Mother Church 97
  Duties 97
  In Branch Churches 98
  Appointment 99
  Removal from Office 100
  Case of Necessity 100
 
CHURCH-BUILDING. Art. XXXIV.
  Building Committee 102
  Designation of Deeds 102
  The Mother Church Building 103
 

CHURCH MANUAL. Art. XXXV.
  For The Mother Church Only 104
  Seventy-third Edition the Authority 104
  Amendment of By-Laws 105
 
 

Appendix

 
Special Instructions Regarding Applications for Church Membership 109
Present Order of Services in The Mother Church and Branch Churches 120
Present Order of Communion Services in Branch Churches 125
Order of Exercises for the Sunday School of The Mother Church and Branch Churches  127
Deed of Trust 128
Deed Conveying Land for Church Purposes 136

​

CHURCH MANUAL

OF

THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST

SCIENTIST, IN BOSTON, MASS.

​



MANUAL OF THE MOTHER CHURCH

​

Manual of The Mother Church


The First Church of Christ

Scientist

In Boston, Massachusetts


By

Mary Baker Eddy

Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and Author
of the Christian Science Text Book “Science and
Health With Key to the Scriptures”


Eighty-ninth Edition



BOSTON, U.S.A.

Published by Allison V. Stewart

FOR THE TRUSTEES UNDER THE WILL OF MARY BAKER G. EDDY

Falmouth and St. Paul Streets

1917

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