Manual of the Mother Church | Page 5

the Christian Science Board of Directors at the semi-annual
meetings held for this purpose.
Article VII--PROBATIONARY MEMBERSHIP
Members who once Withdrew. SECTION 1. Individuals who have
heretofore been members of this Church, or were members of the
Church of Christ, Scientist, organized in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy,
but who have voluntarily withdrawn, may be received into this Church
on one year's probation, provided they are willing and anxious to live
according to its requirements and make application for membership
according to its By-Laws. If, at the expiration of said one year, they are
found worthy, they shall be received into full membership, but if not
found worthy their applications shall be void.
Members once Dismissed. SECTION 2. A full member or a
probationary member, who has been excommunicated once, and who
afterward, when sufficient time has elapsed thoroughly to test his
sincerity, gives due evidence of having genuinely repented and of being
radically reformed, shall be eligible to probationary membership upon a
unanimous vote of the Christian Science Board of Directors.
Ineligible for Probation. SECTION 3. If a member has been twice
notified of his excommunication, he shall not again be received into
this Church.

DISCIPLINE
Article VIII--GUIDANCE OF MEMBERS
A Rule for Motives and Acts. SECTION 1. Neither animosity nor mere
personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members
of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and
a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking
sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness. The members

of this Church should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil,
from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or
being influenced erroneously.
To be Read in Church. SECTION 2. The above Church Rule shall be
read in The Mother Church and in the branch churches by the First
Reader on the first Sunday of each month. On Communion day the
Church Tenets are to be read.
Christ Jesus the Ensample. SECTION 3. He who dated the Christian
era is the Ensample in Christian Science. Careless comparison or
irreverent reference to Christ Jesus is abnormal in a Christian Scientist,
and is prohibited. When it is necessary to show the great gulf between
Christian Science and theosophy, hypnotism, or spiritualism, do it, but
without hard words. The wise man saith, "A soft answer turneth away
wrath." However despitefully used and misrepresented by the churches
or the press, in return employ no violent invective, and do good unto
your enemies when the opportunity occurs. A departure from this rule
disqualifies a member for office in the Church or on the Board of
Lectureship, and renders this member liable to discipline and, possibly,
dismissal from The Mother Church.
Daily Prayer. SECTION 4. It shall be the duty of every member of this
Church to pray each day: "Thy kingdom come;" let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern
them!
Prayer in Church. SECTION 5. The prayers in Christian Science
churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and
exclusively.
Alertness to Duty. SECTION 6. It shall be the duty of every member of
this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental
suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to
his Leader, and to mankind. By his works he shall be judged,--and
justified or condemned.

One Christ. SECTION 7. In accordance with the Christian Science
textbooks,--the BIBLE, and SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY
TO THE SCRIPTURES,--and in accord with all of Mrs. Eddy's
teachings, members of this Church shall neither entertain a belief nor
signify a belief in more than one Christ, even that Christ whereof the
Scripture beareth testimony.
No Malpractice. SECTION 8. Members will not intentionally or
knowingly mentally malpractise, inasmuch as Christian Science can
only be practised according to the Golden Rule: "All things whatsoever
ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." (Matt.
7:12.)
A member of The Mother Church who mentally malpractises upon or
treats our Leader or her staff without her or their consent shall be
disciplined, and a second offense as aforesaid shall cause the name of
said member to be dropped forever from The Mother Church.
Formulas Forbidden. SECTION 9. No member shall use written
formulas, nor permit his patients or pupils to use them, as auxiliaries to
teaching Christian Science or for healing the sick. Whatever is requisite
for either is contained in the books of the Discoverer and Founder of
Christian Science. Sometimes she may strengthen the faith by a written
text as no one else can.
No Adulterating Christian Science. SECTION 10. A member of this
Church shall not