Demonstrating the authority of the Manual

CAROLYN B. SWAN

The Church of Christ, Scientist, is uniquely directed. Its government is not vested in an individual or in any group of individuals but in divinely derived law. Of the book that sets forth this law, its author, Mary Baker Eddy, writes: "The Rules and By-laws in the Manual of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, originated not in solemn conclave as in ancient Sanhedrim. 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."^{ Miscellaneous Writings, p. 148.}

Of course, it's one thing to acknowledge the divine authority of the Manual of The Mother Church and quite another thing to really trust it to govern us in our individual lives and in our church experience, as Mrs. Eddy did. But since the Manual represents the law of God, then ultimately it can't be disobeyed. And we can prove this. It is within the scope of true government to overthrow any false sense of government. The authority of true government reflected by Godlike man, our ideal identity, enables us, in proportion to our understanding of and fidelity to the divine ideal, to reverse what seems to be faulty action and to restore right action.

If a member of The Mother Church believes that a By-Law— even such a general rule of conduct as "A Rule for Motives and Acts" (see Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 1)—has been disregarded, bypassed, or violated by another member or other members of this Church, what's he to do? One can set aside personal judgment and prayerfully demonstrate for oneself the authority of the Manual to correct this misconception about supreme Principle, God, and His obedient idea, man. Anyone who has so endeavored to put into practice the By-Laws of the Manual doesn't need to ask the extent of the divinely derived power of those By-Laws to rectify apparent mistakes and transgressions. The spiritual power that enforces the Manual is sufficient for every individual, organizational, and universal need.