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Cover Article

By-Laws

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. —Mary Baker Eddy, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 230

This year the Journal invites readers to take a deep dive into some of the By-Laws in the Church Manual under the section “DISCIPLINE, Article VIII, Guidance of Members.” We hope this series  will encourage you to take a fresh look at the Manual, be inspired and guided by the divine direction it offers, and will lead you to share your insights about how these By-Laws and Rules enrich your life practice of Christian Science.
—The Editors

Healing, more than counting, the people

By Nathan Talbot

From the October 2012 issue of The Christian Science Journal

Numbering the People.
Christian Scientists shall not report for publication the number of the members of The Mother Church, nor that of the branch churches. According to the Scripture they shall turn away from personality and numbering the people.

 — Mary Baker Eddy, Manual of The Mother Church, Article VIII, Section 28 

 My wife and I paused to view the mountain scenery in an isolated area of Idaho. We were startled to notice on a trail below, a wild wolf wandering toward us. Margie and I were standing perhaps four or five feet apart as he approached, looked me right in the eye, and cautiously strode between us as he loped on up the side of the mountain.