Article October 11, 1913 Issue

The Manual in Practise

CHARLES A. BLAKE

In speaking of the rules and by-laws in the Manual of The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy says: "They sprang from necessity, the logic of events,—from the immediate demand for them as a help that must be supplied to maintain the dignity and defense of our Cause; hence their simple, scientific basis, and detail so requisite to demonstrate genuine Christian Science" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 148). The Christian Scientist finds abundant opportunity to prove in his every-day work that these words of our beloved Leader are absolutely true, and the practitioner who makes use of his Manual in bringing the healing truth to suffering humanity, will prove by the fruits of his labor that he is carefully attending to the details "so requisite to demonstrate genuine Christian Science." This, with the other helps that are supplied through the various activities of The Mother Church, the work of The Publishing Society, of the board of lectureship, the committee on publication, the branch churches, reading-rooms, teachers, and practitioners, may be likened to "the leaves of the tree" that "were for the healing of the nations."

An incident that came within the range of the writer's observation may be helpful in illustrating the possibilities for the practitioner in the intelligent use of the Manual as an aid in the healing work. A lady applied to a Christian Science practitioner for help in solving her problem, as she was in great mental distress. For years she had led a care-free life. Supplied as she was with ample means by an indulgent husband, she lived luxuriously and traveled extensively, having no thought but to please herself. After the loss of her husband, having spent all the money left her, and being deserted by former friends and in poverty, she turned to Christian Science for relief. The immediate need was for employment, and the practitioner carefully sought to find what the unused talent was, that she might improve it. To the material senses the prospects were far from encouraging. After finding out what the applicant could do, and deciding upon her skill with the needle as the best means at hand for earning a livelihood, the practitioner advised the use of the free employment advertising columns of The Christian Science Monitor as an aid in securing the desired position. At this the pride and sensitiveness of mortal mind was aroused, and burst forth in a violent tirade against the practitioner's suggestion that she should demean herself to accept the charity implied in a free employment advertisement. The Christian Scientist was unable to offer any advice at that time, and realizing that a great deal of love and wisdom must be exercised in order to help the woman, he dismissed her, asking her to call the following day.

According to appointment she appeared, and said she had been for hours answering want advertisements in person, and going about to the dressmaking establishments seeking employment without success. Discouragement and despair were plainly written in her countenance. The Scientist very gently pictured to her how our Leader had given to us first our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the Journal, The Mother Church, and all the activities conducted by it, including the Monitor, and last but not least she had provided the free employment advertising as a means of bringing together those in need of help.

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