Article February 5, 1910 Issue

OUR CHURCH MANUAL

FREDERICK MANN.

The prefatory quotation from "Miscellaneous Writings" inserted in the Manual of The Mother Church is full of meaning in its explanation of the purpose of our by-laws: "They sprang from necessity.... hence their simple, scientific basis, and detail requisite to demonstrate genuine Christian Science." These by-laws are the guide-posts of our spiritual advancement, given to us as the need appeared, to help and instruct us; and we may well ask ourselves if we really understand their mission,—if we are sufficiently acquainted with the Manual to profit by it and to obey in every detail the commands of right whereto it directs the way. Do we all read and study it well, that we may avail ourselves of its blessings?

These rules and by-laws concern not only church officers, but many sections apply directly to each and every one of us. We read further that they were put there not as "arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands, such as one person might impose on another. They were impelled by a power not one's own,"—by a wisdom we are all trying to obey; and if they are rightly understood and carried out in our lives, they will help us in working out our problems day by day. Many of the rules, too, are intended to facilitate the work at headquarters, and when a few essential rules are disregarded, there results much needless labor, and oftentimes unnecessary expenditure of money, both of which could be used in more profitable ways.

By a more thoughtful study of the Manual we shall arrive at a clearer sense of those rules which pertain to our duties. For example (Art. VIII., Sect. 14, regarding the periodicals): "It shall be the privilege and duty of every member, who can afford it, to subscribe for the periodicals which are the organs of this church." There are few of us who cannot afford to support the work which has given us, and is continually giving us, all that we have and all that we are. If we ever seem to lack the means to have what helps us, it is because we limit God's power to supply our need. In not obeying this rule, we lose the great benefit to be derived from the study of all our periodicals; and unless we ponder the rules and admonitions of our Manual, we shall not clearly know the great privileges awaiting us.

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