One of the wise provisions made by Mrs. Eddy for the instruction and continued guidance of students of Christian Science was the establishment of class instruction and of associations of class-taught students. In Articles XXVI and XXVII of the Manual of The Mother Church, under the caption "Teaching Christian Science," Mrs. Eddy provides not only for these institutions but also for the continued functioning of associations of students after their teachers are. no longer with them. Section 2 of Article XXVII states: "Those beloved brethren whose teacher has left them, can elect an experienced Christian Scientist, who is not in charge of an association of students and who is ready for this high calling, to conduct the meetings of their association."
It is customary for such organizations to continue to hold their annual association meetings and to operate actively under the provisions of the Manual until circumstances indicate the wisdom of disbanding. Sometimes an association may go on for many years before its declining membership leads it to dissolve.
Since no new members are added to the group after the teacher has left or has ceased to teach, and since there is no provision for the merging of two or more associations, such an association cannot grow in numbers. Yet Mrs. Eddy makes it plain that continued growth and progress are essential elements in the experience of a student of Christian Science.
