Items of Interest

One of the very important activities of the Christian Science movement is carried on by accredited teachers of Christian Science. It may be said that teachers who are active are conveniently listed in the Practitioners' Directory of The Christian Science Journal, with the word "Teacher" after their names. Those who advertise themselves elsewhere as teachers of Christian Science are found generally to be nonmembers of The Mother Church; for a genuine Christian Scientist desires to proceed according to the By-Laws Mrs. Eddy regarded as essential for her Church.

One who contemplates having class instruction in Christian Science naturally familiarizes himself with the By-Laws in the Church Manual which have to do with teaching. Articles XXVI and XXVII. Section 9 of Article XXVI will show the prospective pupil that a teacher must have a certificate in order to teach, and that he must have been continuously active and loyal as a Christian Scientist, or have the approval of The Christian Science Board of Directors, before teaching. Articles XXX, Section 8, will show the reader that only those who are members of The Mother Church, and who have the qualifications named in the previously mentioned By-Law, "shall be deemed loyal teachers of Christian Science."

A Christian Scientist has class instruction of an accredited teacher but once, unless through some contingency he becomes eligible for reteaching under Section 8 of Article XXVI, or unless he is chosen as a pupil by the Board of Education. Those class-taught and experienced Christian Scientists who are to become teachers are given further instruction by this Board of Education, as is shown by the By-Laws in Articles XXVIII to XXX inclusive; but this instruction is for the purpose of creating new teachers, and so it deals with the subject of how to teach Christian Science to primary pupils.

Too much cannot be said about the need of safeguarding one's selection so that a loyal teacher is chosen, not one whose teaching is promiscuous and outside of the By-Laws, one who is not a member of The Mother Church and does not choose to abide by the Rules of the Church Manual The work of qualified teachers of Christian Science is a sacred and consecrated function. To quote Mrs. Eddy: "Teaching Christian Science shall not be a question of money, but of morals and religion, healing and uplifting the race" (Church Manual, Art. XXVI, Sect. 1).

As Mrs. Eddy has also said, her published works "are teachers and healers" (Miscellany, p. 218); thus all Christian Scientists, through earnest study of the Bible and of her works, have the opportunity to learn Christian Science and to practice it. And when they can qualify according to Article XXVI, Section 2, of the Manual, that is, when they present evidence of "good past records and promising proclivities toward Christian Science," they are eligible for class instruction according to the discretion of the respective teachers to whom they apply. And the teachings they will receive are intended to give them a solid groundwork and an important basis for future progress and for successful demonstration of Mrs. Eddy's teachings.

In this column, in the issue of the Sentinel for February 17, an item dealt with the benefits of membership in the Christian Science church. The Directors of The Mother Church afterward received several letters expressing gratitude for this statement. One of the writers related an incident in his experience which he thought might be helpful to others. When he applied for membership in a branch church, he said, he had a sense of timidity at the thought of appearing before the board of the church for examination, but after coming before the board he found that his apprehension had no basis, the examination was so lovingly given. Regarding this experience he stated: "My thought was gently led to a greater appreciation of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and a higher understanding of what it means to support the Cause of Christian Science. Unfoldment which came as a result of that examination led me to much higher ground in the daily demonstrate of Christian Science, and showed me the growth to be attained and the joy in sharing in the activity of the movement."

Incidentally, the writer of this letter states that he was not admitted to membership at the time, but nevertheless he was encouraged to apply later. He took the recommendation in the right spirit. He applied later and was accepted. After some time he applied to The Mother Church for membership, was admitted, and then, taking another step in progress, he had class instruction in Christian Science from an authorized teacher. It was afterwards his privilege to serve as Reader in his branch church. His letter closed by stating that he has never ceased to be grateful for the guidance given him by the loving members of that board of directors of a branch church before whom he appeared for examination at the time of his first application for membership, and he has never regretted that he was asked to defer membership for further growth—growth which, as a result, he sought more diligently.

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