Such a slim book. So modest. But what a powerhouse of ideas! I'm speaking of the Manual of The Mother Church, which was first copyrighted in 1895 and was continually revised until its final edition in 1908. A correction was made in the May 1998 Journal: "In the February issue of the Journal, page 46, the date given for the final edition of the Manual of The Mother Church should read 1910, not 1908. The Manual was indeed constantly read and edited by Mary Baker Eddy. In 1908, there were seven editions published. In 1909, nine editions were printed. And in 1910, Mrs. Eddy edited and made changes to six editions. Her final changes appear in the 89th edition, first issued December 17, 1910. See the notice on page 665 of the November 1977 issue of the Journal for an explanation of these changes." The author, Mary Baker Eddy, says of the Rules and By-Laws in the Manual: "They were not arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands, such as one person might impose on another. They were impelled by a power not one's own, were written at different dates, and as the occasion required." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 148.
Biographies of Mrs. Eddy make it clear that the Manual took shape as different demands were thrust upon her. The church organization was evolving and there were challenges with her students. Mrs. Eddy would pray through each situation as it arose and finalize a By-Law that covered the particular need. Sometimes her work on the Manual involved physical stress until a By-Law was ready to be passed upon by The Christian Science Board of Directors. See Robert Peel, Mary Baker Eddy. The Years of Authority (Boston: The Christian Science Publishing Society, 1977, originally published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston), p. 318 .
This precious volume is much more than a book of rules. It is a book of inspiration. It provides solutions and forwards healing. Obedience to the spirit as well as the letter of its By-Laws is vital to the spiritual progress of Christian Scientists. Mrs. Eddy says of this book, "Of this I am sure, that each Rule and By-law in this Manual will increase the spirituality of him who obeys it, invigorate his capacity to heal the sick, to comfort such as mourn, and to awaken the sinner." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 230.
