CLERK OF THE MOTHER CHURCH
The Tenets of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, for use of branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, are printed on folded sheets, containing space for adding the application form for membership in branch organizations, or extracts from their by-laws. These may be obtained in the regular size, and also in a form suitable for binding into booklets containing by-laws. Either size may be ordered from the Clerk at seventy-five cents a hundred, the minimum order; but unless otherwise specified, the larger size will be sent. Remittances should accompany all orders; but postage stamps should not be sent in payment.
The Tenets may also be obtained in either size printed on alternate pages in English and German or in English and French.
Correspondence relative to the Tenets should be addressed to George Wendell Adams, Clerk, 236 Huntington Avenue, Back Bay Station, Boston, Massachusetts.
CHURCH TREASURER
Per Capita Tax, as provided in the Church Manual, Article VIII, Section 13, is due annually from "every member of The Mother Church," and "shall be forwarded each year to the Church Treasurer." This tax of "not less than one dollar" may be forwarded at any time during the year. When a remittance for church dues is more than the amount required to balance one's account, the surplus is credited for the present year.
Contributions to The Christian Science Benevolent Association are acceptable; and contributions may also be made to the General Fund and to the Real Estate Fund of The Mother Church.
Please make all remittances payable to Edward L. Ripley, Treasurer, and send them to him at 236 Huntington Avenue, Back Bay Station, Boston, Massachusetts.
FROM THE DIRECTORS
[As published in the Christian Science Sentinel, June 30. 1923]
Partial Views
Students of Christian Science should be watchful not to accept partial views of the truth found in our Leader's teachings, all of which are based upon the Scriptures. Christian Scientists often have special illuminations in which they gain new views of Truth; and if faithful they will continue to have more and more of such experiences. It should not, however be forgotten that while some phase of truth may be seen more clearly from a new viewpoint, this does not mean that it must necessarily become the experience of others; and if it be given out as a new revelation without which our Leader's teachings would be incomplete, it is apt to work much harm.
When one gains a new view of Truth, he should remember that others, doubtless, have similar experiences. Those who are wise subject their new sense of reality to the test of actual demonstration, and continue to do so until its relation to divine Principle is clearly established. Even then it should not be offered as a new teaching; for if it is true it will be found that it is already established in Mrs. Eddy's writings, which include in themselves the steps needed in the advancement of our great Cause.
Christian Science unquestionably brings a great change of thought to all students of Mrs. Eddy's writings in respect to God, man and the mission and character of Christ Jesus. The old sense begins to disappear, and perhaps Jesus may be less talked of than formerly, for the simple reason that the student has found that his former beliefs about the Master must have been incorrect, since they did little or nothing for him in the way of the healing of sickness or the overcoming of the many other ills of mortal experience. False views or beliefs, therefore, begin to fade out as the truth of man's being takes their place. This may be regarded as one stage of the student's progress. Another stage brings the understanding voiced by our Leader on page 26 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where we read; "While we adore Jesus, and the heart overflows with gratitude for what he did for mortals.—treading alone his loving pathway up to the throne of glory, in speechless agony exploring the way for us,—yet Jesus spares us not one individual experience, if we follow his commands faithfully; and all have the cup of sorrowful effort to drink in proportion to their demonstration of his love, till all are redeemed through divine Love."
Throughout Mrs. Eddy's entire writings the Scripture record of Christ Jesus' life and teaching is sustained at every point, and nothing can be added to it by any student of Christian Science, except the obedience which was demanded by the Master himself when he said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." As we give up partial and material views of all things, including the Scriptures, we become conscious of the endless unfoldment of Truth's ideas; and these ideas should be loved and humbly lived, rather than given out as authoritative statements of Christian Science.
[As published in the Christian Science Sentinel, July 14, 1923]
Distribution of Literature
The distribution of Christian Science literature with its health-giving message offers a rare opportunity for our churches and societies to do much toward promoting and extending the religion of Christian Science. Through the pages of our periodicals, the public may become acquainted with the teachings and practice of Christian Science and be led to read its textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.
Mrs. Eddy was a sincere and consistent distributor of Christian Science literature. When an article appeared in our periodicals which she thought especially helpful, she requested that marked copies containing it be mailed to persons whom she designated. Our Leader did this with the sincere conviction that to place our literature in the hands of an interested reader was one of the most effective means that could be employed to spread the gospel of Christian Science.
In the early days of our movement the work of distribution was done mainly through individual practitioners acting on their own responsibility. This work was greatly encouraged by the Publishing Society, which sometimes furnished literature to the practitioners at a reduced rate, and sometimes gratuitously, for that purpose.
The only time our Leader interfered with the distribution of literature was in 1891, when she advised against the continuance of a distribution project, under the control of one or two individuals, whose countrywide activities were intended to be carried on under no restraint or control of Christian Science churches, of which there were about one hundred and thirty-eight in existence at that time.
Since the more general organization of churches and societies, it has been found that the distribution work can be done much more effectively and intelligently through these organizations than can be done by individual effort. Churches located in the same state can confer harmoniously on this action, when they deem it necessary.
Christian Scientists should be alert that they do not respond to the suggestion that nothing is to be gained by distributing our literature. It is our duty to do this work, and therefore we must know that aggressive mental suggestion cannot cause us to forget nor to ncglect any duty that we owe to God, to our Leader, or to mankind. (See Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 6.)
If we hesitate to take this forward step, under the belief that the public does not seem to be ready for our literature, let us remember the opposition encountered by Jesus, even to the extent that his opponents sought to slay him. Our Leader informs us, on page 473 of Science and Health, that "in an age of ecclesiastical despotism. Jesus introduced the teaching and practice of Christianity." Centuries after, when Mrs. Eddy was engaged in presenting her revelation to the world, she wrote in "Christian Healing" (p. 1), "We have asked, in our selfishness, to wait until the age advanced to a more practical and spiritual religion before arguing with the world the great subject of Christian healing; but our answer was, 'Then there were no cross to take up, and less need of publishing the good news.' " Let us not be deceived with the specious arguments of error that the time is not ripe for the work of distribution. There are many who will eagerly receive what we are now enjoying, if we place it within their reach.
ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE MOTHER CHURCH
Applications for admission to membership in The Mother Church may be sent to the Clerk at any time throughout the year. The receipt of an application by the Clerk does not make the applicant a member. Applications are acted upon by the Board of Directors, only at their semi-annual meetings for the election of new members, as provided by the Manual of The Mother Church, Article XIII, Section 2.
The next meeting of the Board for this purpose occurs November 2, 1923. Applications to be acted upon at that time should reach the Clerk by October 19, 1923. Applications received too late for consideration in November will be placed on file for the May 30, 1924, admission.
The receipt of all applications is acknowledged by the Clerk; and on the date set for consideration, notice of acceptance or rejection is sent to those whose applications have been received in time for the essential preliminary attention. Should an applicant not receive such notice, he is requested to communicate with the Clerk before forwarding a second application.
Additional application forms may always be obtained by addressing the Clerk, George Wendell Adams, 236 Huntington Avenue, Back Bay Station, Boston, Massachusetts.
