Let us consider a few of the fine moral and spiritual qualities which prepare one to be a valuable member of a Church of Christ, Scientist, or a Christian Science Society. First of all, one should love Christian Science, study the Bible as well as Science and Health and other writings by Mrs. Eddy, read the authorized Christian Science literature, and be Christianly qualified to enter into fellowship with the Tenets, By-Laws, and Rules of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, and also with the bylaws of the local branch church of which he is about to become a member.
One of the most helpful guides for a church member is a prayerful study of the "scientific translation of mortal mind" Science and Health, pp. 115, 116; given in Science and Health. One finds three degrees of thought described minutely, and they reveal to him how to search and to improve his qualities of thought and living.
A new member may be expecting to find in the membership only healthy, advanced students of Christian Science who have outgrown the "First Degree: Depravity." Under this degree we find the following: "Physical. Evil beliefs, passions and appetites, fear, depraved will, self-justification, pride, envy, deceit, hatred, revenge, sin, sickness, disease, death." The marginal heading of this paragraph is "Unreality."
