Editorial September 22, 1906 Issue

THE BY-LAWS

Archibald McLellan

We are frequently asked to explain through the Sentinel one or more of the By-laws of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, also to decide whether or no such conduct upon the part of some person is an infraction of these By-laws, and while the answering of these questions is not within our province, it may be that we can point our readers to certain things in connection with the By-laws which will be of value to us all.

1. The By-laws of The Mother Church are strictly in accord with the teachings of Science and Health, and Mrs. Eddy in formulating the Church Manual has been as wisely and divinely guided as she has been in writing our textbook. To those who desire to "progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science" she says. "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the Spirit (Science and Health, p. 495), and this advice may, we think, be understood to apply to the study of the Manual as well as to Science and Health and her other writings.

2. Mrs. Eddy writes of the By-laws, "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. 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 defence of our cause" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 148); and if we keep this well in mind in our study of these By-laws we shall be better able to understand them and apply them to our daily problems.

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