On page 497 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, as well as on pages 15 and 16 of the Manual of The Mother Church, are to be found the six religious Tenets of Christian Science, study of which brings us spiritual enlightenment. These Tenets provide a foundation for the faith of all Christian Scientists, and inspire them to exemplify the teachings of Christ Jesus as revealed today through Christian Science.
A By-Law in the Manual makes provision for the Tenets to be read at the communion service, held twice a year in all branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, throughout the world. It is to these Tenets that new members subscribe upon uniting with a Christian Science church. In humility and loving obedience they accept the privilege and responsibility of church membership, and recognize their high calling in taking the name of Christian Scientist. Mrs. Eddy says that the chief cornerstone of the Tenets of The Mother Church (Manual, pp. 17, 18) is "that Christian Science, as taught and demonstrated by our Master, casts out error, heals the sick, and restores the lost Israel: for 'the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.'"
Christians have accepted the Mosaic Decalogue and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, together with the Lord's Prayer, as lodestars in their daily lives. Today, in these divinely inspired behests of our Leader — the Tenets of The Mother Church — another classic in pure spirituality has been presented to the world for the molding and unfolding of Christlike character. In their beauty and simplicity they give a fuller meaning and an ever-increasing understanding of God and man; and they reveal the way of salvation. From the very beginning of his study and demonstration of Christian Science, the student finds that a healing often brings such spiritual illumination to his consciousness as to remain as a star of hope and encouragement, lighting the way to further demonstrations. One such healing came to a student, in which a very helpful lesson in steadfastness was learned from the first tenet, which reads, "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life."
