Article October 21, 1939 Issue

Obedience and Discipline

JEANNETTE HANNAN SIMMONS

The formulating of laws or rules of conduct implies obedience to these laws on the part of those who accept them. The entire structure of progressive civilization is established on a foundation of obedience to orderly, just, and enlightened laws and government. Our everyday living, in free countries, is regulated by laws which right-thinking citizens recognize as necessary for the protection of the community, the home, and the individual. It is disregard for and disobedience to right rules or laws that bring disorder, confusion, and ultimately disaster to communities and individuals. Conversely, the more strictly and willingly laws and rules are respected and obeyed, the greater the peace, protection, and security of the community.

As in the small community, so in national governments, the paramount importance of the law of God should be recognized and personal domination eliminated as much as possible, if the people are to be properly protected and governed. There is nothing more definite in Scriptural teachings than the requirement that all peoples and nations should be saved. From what are they to be saved? Largely from the effects of false, material education and preconceived or personally imposed mortal opinions, prejudices, or despotic demands. Christian Science, with its spiritually scientific teachings in regard to God's unchanging law of righteous government, shows clearly the way of salvation.

In the Christian Science movement, members of The Mother Church and of its branches all over the world are vitally concerned with the Rules and By-Laws of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy. Having accepted the Manual in becoming a church member, each one has a responsibility for bringing out individually a better manifestation of order and good conduct in his daily living, in his family, in his church, and in his business and social relations. Speaking of these Rules and By-Laws, Mrs. Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 148): "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 defense of our Cause; hence their simple, scientific basis, and detail so requisite to demonstrate genuine Christian Science, and which will do for the race what absolute doctrines destined for future generations might not accomplish." Prayerful study and pondering of the statements remind us of the great need for frequent study of our Church Manual. Obviously we cannot be obedient to rules with which we are not thoroughly acquainted, nor can we individually do our part in maintaining the "dignity and defense of our Cause," without loving and willing obedience to its prescribed Rules and By-Laws, thus cultivating daily spiritual self-discipline. The purpose of Christian Science is always to uplift, heal, and strengthen mankind mentally, morally, physically, and spiritually. And this purpose is fulfilled as its earnest students through intelligent reliance on God correctly utilize and demonstrate its teachings.

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