Soon after the publication of a new edition of the Manual of The Mother Church its author, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote concerning it (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 230), "Of this I am sure, that each Rule and By-law in this Manual will increase the spirituality of him who obeys it, invigorate his capacity to heal the sick, to comfort such as mourn, and to awaken the sinner."
The truth of this statement has been proved many times by those who make a careful study of the Manual, seeking therein counsel and guidance in their daily activities.
On page 44 of the Manual is a By-Law which provides that the Christian Science periodicals are to be "ably edited and kept abreast of the times." May not this By-Law be given a wider application than is usually assigned to it? Should not the student see to it that his thoughts are "ably edited" before they are expressed in words or in deeds? In considering articles submitted for publication in our periodicals, the Editors are privileged to make such changes in them as will clarify the thought which the author is endeavoring to express. Should not the student of Christian Science likewise eliminate from his conversation every unkind word, every false suggestion, every harmful expression, and drop from his activities everything not essential to his spiritual progress? As he patterns his thinking after the teachings of Christian Science, letting that Mind be in him "which was also in Christ Jesus," he will no doubt discover many things which before seemed harmless and perhaps even essential to his happiness and success, which he now can and will eliminate from his consciousness.
