Manual of The Mother Church

by Mary Baker Eddy

Table of Contents

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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