Because an ever-increasing number of people in various parts of the world are becoming interested in Christian Science and are forming groups for the purpose of holding church services, it may be helpful to state what the fundamentals are for organizing a Christian Science Society.
The membership of a proposed society should include not less than ten or twelve loyal, active Christian Scientists, at least four of whom should be members of The Mother Church. It is necessary that the members shall have severed connection with any church organization other than The Mother Church. Simple by-laws should be formulated which would be applicable to the local needs. It is required that church services be held regularly in a public location, before recognition can be obtained. The services should, of course, follow closely the Order of Service given in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy. Readers, regular and substitute, must be members of The Mother Church (see Article III, Section 6, of the Manual).
While a Christian Science Society is not required to maintain a Reading Room, or Sunday School, or to hold a Wednesday evening testimony meeting, it is desirable to include these activities whenever possible. It may be well to point out that the title "Christian Science Reading Room" is used only by recognized branches of The Mother Church.
