THE purpose of the Cause of Christian Science is to enlighten, to redeem, to heal, and to save; to lead mankind out of its false, mistaken belief that life and intelligence are existent in matter or that man lives in a material body and universe. This is a noble Cause, which requires of its members true dignity and nobility to defend and preserve it.
In the Manual of The Mother Church, speaking of its Rules and By-Laws, Mary Baker Eddy says (p. 3), "They were not arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands, such as one person might impose on another." And she says further, "They sprang from necessity, the logic of events,—from the immediate demand for them as a help that must be supplied to maintain the dignity and defense of our Cause."
To maintain this dignity and defense it should be seen that our Cause must continue throughout time, functioning under the mandate of divine law. The Mother Church and its branches cannot function successfully except under divine direction and impulsion. Our Leader realized this fact, and it must be realized by her followers if they are to obey the divine impulsion in practice. The eternal fact regarding the real Church is that it is a spiritual structure, a structure of Mind, of Spirit, of Soul. This Church, as understood in Christian Science, is governed by the one Mind, not by persons. This fact elevates and exalts it above the controversy and opinions of persons.
