WHEN Mrs. Eddy founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, she did not follow the pattern of the orthodox churches of her day. Every part of the service and organization came through prayer and unfolded to her as her understanding of God became clearer and as she pondered the teaching and injunctions of the Master and Way-shower, Christ Jesus. To protect her concept of church, she wrote the Manual of The Mother Church in which she gave the order of services for The Mother Church and its branches.
When she ordained as pastor of the church the Bible and the textbook, Science and Health, of which she is author, she knew that while a personal pastor might attract many people, with a subject of such magnitude and importance as Christian Science, personal opinions and hypotheses might obscure the Word of God, which shines clearly through these two books.
Because there are no personal preachers in the Christian Science movement, each church member has a vital part to play in the progress and growth of the church. Not only must the member be prepared to accept the privilege of office, service on committees, or other necessary work connected with the day-to-day running of the church, but he must be aware of the paramount importance of bringing to church affairs the light of his individual spiritual understanding.
