Editorial April 3, 1902 Issue

As to Giving Advice

Editor

We shall once more have to remind our co-workers in the Field that the First Reader of the Mother Church cannot be adviser-in-general to the students. He has neither the time nor the authority to do so.

Those who construe section 7 of Article IV., later editions of the Manual, as conferring such authority, misunderstand it. It does not relate to every member of the Mother Church. Were the First Reader of the Mother Church under obligation to "enforce the discipline and by-laws of the church" as to every member of the Mother Church who might possibly need it, a moment's thought will convince any one that he would have an impossible task.

As to the by-law which reads: "None but the First Reader, or the Directors, shall give advice on church matters outside of the meetings" — this relates to church matters of the Mother Church, not to individual matters affecting church members, nor to branch churches. A thoughtful reading of the last clause of this section indicates plainly the spirit and purpose thereof : "Any member who disobeys this By-Law shall be dropped from the roll of Church membership." It was clearly to put a stop to promiscuous and unauthorized advice about the affairs of the Mother Church that this section was enacted.

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"Lord, Save Me."
April 3, 1902
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