CLASS instruction in Christian Science from an accredited teacher is a step which every alert student anticipates with eagerness. It is a step in the educational system of Christian Science which our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has provided for us and which should not be unduly delayed in the student's experience.
In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says of Science (p. 558), "When understood, it is Truth's prism and praise." The prophet Ezekiel caught the resplendency of Truth and described it thus (Ezek. 1:28): "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." The purpose of class instruction is to so open the student's thought to the glory of God that the effulgence of Truth may pour in upon him, enlarging his demonstrable understanding of the allness of Spirit and the nothingness of matter, thereby establishing him in Christian Science.
There is but one school of Christian Science, one teaching, namely the teaching of our Leader's writings, which present the revelation in its pristine purity, unadulterated by human conjecture. The chapter "Recapitulation," from which Primary class pupils are instructed, is as its title indicates a brief and inspired recapitulation or summary of the complete statement of Christian Science contained in the textbook. Of this chapter, Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 465), "Absolute Christian Science pervades its statements, to elucidate scientific metaphysics."
Manual Provisions
As with everything that concerns the Christian Science movement, Mrs. Eddy has carefully safeguarded this step. In the Manual of The Mother Church she devotes an entire section comprising two Articles (XXVI and XXVII) to "Teaching Christian Science." The first is captioned "Teachers," the second, "Pupils." Both of these Articles should be carefully studied by teachers, pupils, and prospective pupils.
Here are set forth in orderly unfoldment Rules designed to protect class teaching, pointing out the motives which shall animate it, the qualifications necessary in the pupil, the obligations of the teacher, the procedures of the class. Thus with understanding tenderness and patience does our loved Leader build a hedge about this important activity to shelter its perfections and maintain its purity.
From beginning to end, class instruction must be a matter of demonstration, activated by Principle, not by personal sense. The pupil's demonstration involves the selection of his teacher and securing his place in the class, as well as receptivity during class and fruition thereafter. The teacher's demonstration consists in wisdom in his choice of pupils, integrity in his teaching, and moral rectitude in his thinking and living. Christian Science admits of no departure from the divine order revealed in the textbook and prescribed in the Manual. The soliciting of pupils by either teacher or pupil is distinctly forbidden; nor, as the By-Law further states, shall any member of The Mother Church advise against class instruction (see Manual, Art. XXVII, Sect. 5).
Importance of the Association
To keep the priceless experience of class instruction fresh and glowing in the student's thought, Mrs. Eddy has provided for the associations of the pupils of loyal teachers to convene annually (see Art. XXVI, Sect. 6). The annual meeting of his association is indeed a high light in the progress of the student; it is not a social event but is, as it were, an extension of class from year to year, made possible by the tender foresight of our Leader. The teacher devotes much time and prayer to the preparation of this feast; the alert student likewise gives the meeting his continued loyal and loving metaphysical support. He makes his attendance a matter of demonstration and brings to the meeting the fruits of his consecration and devotion to Truth.
Occasionally there may arise a situation which prevents a student from attending the meeting of his own association, and in this event the Manual grants him permission to seek an invitation to another teacher's association. The spirit of the By-Law, however, implies that this should generally be the exception rather than the rule. Before requesting such an invitation, the student should seek permission from his teacher to do so and should so advise the teacher whose association he desires to attend. When the teacher is no longer here the student is free to act in this respect as Principle directs. It is not necessary for him to obtain permission from the executive committee of his association, but it is often helpful for him to notify the committee of his intention to attend elsewhere.
Only One Association Meeting Annually
Since the By-Law (Art. XXVI, Sect. 6) provides that there shall be but one meeting of the association each year, it is understood that Mrs. Eddy intended that the student should attend but one association meeting, either his own or another, during the year. Also, since this By-Law provides that the teacher shall conduct but one such meeting annually, it is plain that an experienced Christian Scientist invited to conduct the meeting of an association whose teacher has left it (Art. XXVII, Sect. 2) should accept but one such invitation for any one year.
The Manual makes no provision for the disbanding of associations, and this is never done until fewness of members makes the step inevitable. When an association is left without the teacher, the members should carry on with renewed zeal and consecration, determined that through their untiring love and loyalty to Principle their association shall continue to fulfill in increasing degree the exalted purpose for which our Leader established it. Though no longer growing in numbers, such an association continues to grow mightily in spirituality. It sheds abroad the glory of "Truth's prism and praise," feeding its members, bringing healing to humanity, and standing as a bulwark in our movement.
