At the close of the Primary Class in March, 1889, her students presented to Mrs. Eddy a beautiful album containing their autographs. In thanking them she wrote (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 281): "Among the gifts of my students, this of yours is one of the most beautiful and the most costly, because you have signed your names. I felt the weight of this yesterday, but it came to me more clearly this morning when I realized what a responsibility you assume when subscribing to Christian Science."
In law a signature is recognized as binding; it signifies that an individual of his own volition has pledged his honor to the performance of whatever the agreement may be. It is generally sound practice to know what commitment is involved before signing any paper and weigh one's ability to fulfill it. As every member of The Mother Church knows, the signing of the application form for membership means that he subscribes to the Tenets of that Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Tenets are our confession of faith, but they contain far more than a mere statement of doctrine. They make vital demands on individuals for demonstration. The first five Tenets state the chief points of our religion, and call for acceptance supported by demonstration. The sixth tenet reads (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 497): "And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure." It begins, not with "We take" or "We acknowledge," but with, "And we solemnly promise."
