MEMBERSHIP in the Church of Christ, Scientist, is both a privilege and a responsibility. It is a privilege because it supplies opportunity for association with others animated by the same spiritual aims and interests. It is a responsibility because it requires progressive proof that one is trying to live up to the teachings of Christian Science.
In the beginning of the Christian era Christ Jesus and his disciples constituted the only visible manifestation of the living church. In one of his well-known parables he referred to himself as "the true vine" and his disciples as "the branches." As if by way of admonition, he warned them of the need of maintaining their conscious union with the Christ, saying, "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." Those who have enjoyed the benefits of Christian Science healing, but hesitate to assume the responsibilities of church membership, may be overlooking the important fact that active membership helps each one to bear fruit, as he abides in the Christ.
When Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science, she accepted the responsibility of making it known to mankind. Through years of consecrated effort she reduced her discovery to writing, and took the steps necessary to establish The Mother Church and to organize its activities. Under divine guidance she established the form of government which now stands as the Church's organic law. The Manual of The Mother Church is clearly an inspired work. Without the Church Manual there would be no definite guide for the formation and self-government of branch churches and societies.
