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29 chapters
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER IN "MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS"
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 maintai
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TENETS
TENETS
of The Mother Church The First Church of Christ, Scientist To be signed by those uniting with The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass. 1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life. 2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness. 3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
HISTORICAL SKETCH
In the spring of 1879, a little band of earnest seekers after Truth went into deliberations over forming a church without creeds, to be called the "CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST." They were members of evangelical churches, and students of Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy in Christian Science, and were known as "Christian Scientists." At a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association, April 12, 1879, on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,—To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our
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CHURCH OFFICERS
CHURCH OFFICERS
Rev. MARY BAKER EDDY Pastor Emeritus GEORGE WENDELL ADAMS Christian Science Board of Directors CHARLES E. HEITMAN Mrs. NELVIA E. RITCHIE FRANCIS LYSTER JANDRON ALFRED PITTMAN Mrs. HELEN CHAFFEE ELWELL President THOMAS E. HURLEY First Reader Conducts services and reads from the Christian Science textbook, "SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES" by Mary Baker Eddy Mrs. GEORGINA T
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CHURCH OFFICERS
CHURCH OFFICERS
Article I—NAMES, ELECTION, AND DUTIES Names. SECTION 1. The Church officers shall consist of the Pastor Emeritus, a Board of Directors, a President, a Clerk, a Treasurer, and two Readers. President. SECTION 2. The President shall be elected, subject to the approval of the Pastor Emeritus, by the Board of Directors[2] on Monday preceding the annual meeting of the Church. The President shall hold office for one year, and the same person is eligible for election but once in three years. [2] See und
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CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Article IV—QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP Believe in Christian Science. SECTION 1. To become a member of The Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., the applicant must be a believer in the doctrines of Christian Science, according to the platform and teaching contained in the Christian Science textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Rev. Mary Baker Eddy. The BIBLE, together with SCIENCE AND HEALTH and other works by Mrs. Eddy, shall be his only
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DISCIPLINE
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, couns
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MEETINGS
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
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CHURCH SERVICES
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 service
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READING ROOMS
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
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RELATION AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS TO PASTOR EMERITUS
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 pub
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THE MOTHER CHURCH AND BRANCH CHURCHES
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. Tit
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GUARDIANSHIP OF CHURCH FUNDS
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 acknowledgments thereof, declined to receive this munificent gift, she now understands the financial situation between the Christian Science Board of Directors and said Church t
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THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY
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 twenty-fifth, 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. Disposal of Funds. SECTION 2. The net profits of the business shall be paid over semi-annually
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TEACHING CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
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
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BOARD OF EDUCATION
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 th
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BOARD OF LECTURESHIP
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 pe
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COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION
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
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CHURCH-BUILDING
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 giv
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CHURCH MANUAL
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 by Mary 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 B
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TO APPLICANTS
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 husband'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 w
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FORM 1
FORM 1
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., is designed to be built on the rock of Christ—Truth and Life—and to reflect the Church Triumphant. One who is not a member of any church, excepting a branch church of Christ, Scientist, who loves Christian Science, and reads understandingly the Bible, and SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Reverend Mary Baker Eddy, and other works by this author, and who is Christianly qualified and can enter into full fellowship with the Te
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DO NOT DETACH.
DO NOT DETACH.
To the applicant: Name …… Mrs. Jennie W. Field, C.S. …… Please fill out the Street and Number … 18 Forest St., …….. following for the use Town or City ………… Chicago, ………. of the Treasurer of State ………………………. Ill …… the Church: Application I If you have been taught by a loyal student who has taken a degree at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, or by one who has passed an examination by the Board of Education, fill this blank....
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FORM 1
FORM 1
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., is designed to be built on the rock of Christ—Truth and Life—and to reflect the Church Triumphant. One who is not a member of any church, excepting a branch church of Christ, Scientist, who loves Christian Science, and reads understandingly the Bible, and SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Reverend Mary Baker Eddy, and other works by this author, and who is Christianly qualified and can enter into full fellowship with the Te
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DO NOT DETACH.
DO NOT DETACH.
To the applicant: Name …… Mrs. Jennie W. Field, C.S. …… Please fill out the Street and Number … 18 Forest St., …….. following for the use Town or City ………… Chicago, ………. of the Treasurer of State ………………………. Ill …… the Church: Application II If you have not been taught by a loyal student who has taken a degree at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, or by one who has passed an examination by the Board of Education, fill this blank....
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FORM 2
FORM 2
One who is not a member of any church, excepting a branch church of Christ, Scientist, who loves Christian Science, and reads understandingly the Bible, and SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Reverend Mary Baker Eddy, and other works by this author, and who is Christianly qualified and can enter into full fellowship with the Tenets and Rules of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., is eligible to membership. To The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, M
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DO NOT DETACH.
DO NOT DETACH.
To the applicant: Name ……. Miss Emma L. French ……. Please fill out the Street and Number .. 293 Emerson St. … following for the use Town or City ………… New York ….. of the Treasurer of State ……………………. N.Y. … the Church: Present Order of Services in The Mother Church and Branch Churches Republished from the Sentinel...
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SUNDAY SERVICES
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. (Afte
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WEDNESDAY MEETINGS
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. Thanksgiving
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