Our Relations

Clifford P. Smith

One meaning of the word "relation" is "the basis of association in business or society" (Winston Simplified Dictionary). Extended observation indicates that Christian Science is likely to be prosperous in the degree that Christian Scientists appreciate and maintain the different relations which enter into the Christian Science movement. This conclusion can be drawn, also, as an inference from our Church Manual and from all of Mrs. Eddy's acts as the Founder of this Science.

The fundamental relation between Christian Scientists is brotherhood or fellowship between all of them. This relation is fundamental, because it corresponds to the relation between individual men in reality, and because it implies unity. When The Mother Church had a general association of teachers, Mrs. Eddy sent to its first meeting a message which included these words: "You have convened only to convince yourselves of this grand verity: namely, the unity in Christian Science. Cherish steadfastly this fact" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 251).

Fellowship between Christian Scientists is essential to our mode of church government. One definition of "democratic" is "pertaining to or characterized by the principle of political or social equality for all" (New Century Dictionary). Furthermore, the maintenance of fellowship tends to develop and promote mental and spiritual equqlity. This it does in proportion as fellowship between Christian Scientists is seen to be based on the equality of all men and the oneness of man in the actual reflection of divine Mind.

Another relation essential to the prosperity of the Christian Science movement is that of practitioner and patient. Not only the growth of this movement but also its stability is based on demonstration of this Science; and much of the most convincing proof is furnished by the service which one person can render for another. Most of the new adherents to the Cause of Christian Science are recruited as the result of healings wrought by practitioners. Evidently, therefore, the relation of practitioner and patient deserves to be guarded and protected from every danger.

It is to be observed that our Church Manual (Art. VIII, Sect. 22) specifies two errors as to which practitioners may need to be particularly watchful. These errors can be called breach of confidence and charging too much. It is plain that the interests of Christian Science, as well as the interests of both persons, require that one who consults or employs a practitioner as such should be able to give him all necessary information, frankly and without fear of disclosure. The same interests likewise require that the pecuniary reward for the practitioner's service should be kept in complete subordination to benevolence, justice, and wisdom.

Another relation highly important to the prosperity of Christian Science is that of teacher and pupil. Class teaching, plus the ensuring service rendered by authorized teachers, is essential to the preservation and propagation of Christian Science. It contributes greatly to the maximum of good which can be done by Christian Scientists. Of course, teaching, to serve its purpose, must be kept up to its standard. Furthermore, the subsequent service rendered by authorized teachers calls for a high degree of discernment and restraint.

The provision in the Manual (Art. XXIII, Sect. 10), that no individual shall interfere in the affairs of a branch church, does not apply only to teachers, but they are the individuals who are oftenest asked or tempted to violate it. Other provisions of the Manual (Art. XXVI, Sects. 2 and 3) apply particularly to teachers, and warn them against personal control, domination, and too much guidance. These By-Laws prescribe an obligation to be fulfilled in all circumstances, notwithstanding requests and temptations. The relation of teacher and pupil is permanent, and it is strange that any teacher ever solicited pupils or permitted soliciting for his classes, but another By-Law (Art. XXVII, Sect. 5) shows that this impropriety had to be explicitly forbidden.

Then, too, there is the relation between the officers and the members of our churches. Naturally, this relation has its mutual obligations, of which much could be written. The best points, however, can be found in two quotations. In effect, the Master declared the true objective for all who exercise authority when he said, "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27). And Paul gave to all church members the right attitude toward church officers when he besought us "to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake" (I Thess. 5:13).

As regards the relation between Christian Scientists and other people, two points can be emphasized consistently. In New Testament translation, the word "church" represents a Greek word meaning "an assembly of called-out ones." Faithful adherence to Christian Science calls for an increasing degree of separateness from material modes of thought. Nevertheless, as Mrs. Eddy has declared (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 275): "Christian Science can and does produce universal fellowship. As the sequence of divine Love it explains love, it lives love, it demonstrates love."

Clifford P. Smith

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