Article December 27, 1969 Issue

A Rule to Remember

[For young teens]

MARJORIE PONDER MATCHETTE

Terri belonged to a riding club and noticed that there was a harmonious relationship among the members, who shared a common interest in horses. However, there was one exception. One couple became involved in petty feuds and arguments with one member after another. Since it didn't particularly concern her, Terri simply watched with amusement from the sidelines. But one day she found she was no longer on the sidelines but right in the middle of a conflict with this couple. It wasn't amusing any longer!

Terri found that she was responding as she had seen the others do—with resentment, self-righteousness, and indignation. Many unpleasant hours and days passed, and all the time these feelings grew in intensity.

Terri realized the error. She had permitted herself to be wrongly influenced by accepting the inharmony and discord of others as real. She had accepted the false beliefs for others, and now she was accepting them for herself. Although she was a member of The Mother Church, she was not following the guidance in "A Rule for Motives and Acts" from the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy. This Rule states: "Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness. The members of this Church should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously."^{Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 1;}