Editorial March 13, 1948 Issue

ETIQUETTE AND ETHICS

John Randall Dunn

In her "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 283) Mary Baker Eddy makes a statement which may be pondered by her followers with profit. Here are her words: "I insist on the etiquette of Christian Science, as well as its morals and Christianity." Now "etiquette," a word borrowed from the French, connotes observance of the proprieties of an occasion. It is synonymous with manners, with conventionally correct behavior. A Consistent student of Christian Science, therefore, should be found not only obeying the accepted Christian and moral codes for righteous living, but striving as well to exemplify the politeness, thoughtfulness, and gracious behavior of gentlefolk; for should scientific Christians be other than gentlewomen and gentlemen?

Our Leader has given two By-Laws in her Church Manual (p. 59) which unquestionably point to the observance of good manners. They are titled "The Leader's Welcome" and "The Local Members' Welcome" (Art. XVI, Sects. 1 and 2). In the first By-Law, Mrs. Eddy extends a welcome to people of all faiths to the seats reserved in the church for her; and in the second By-Law she reminds the local members that they too have the happy privilege of extending hospitality to the stranger within the gates.

Carrying further the thought of a welcome to our church services and lectures, is it not a hospitable gesture when the church members, who are really the hosts and hostesses, make whatever arrangements are necessary for ensuring that the guests will be cared for comfortably?

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