The biblical foundation of the Church Manual

and its correspondence with primitive Christianity

Copyright 1996-2005 Robert Nguyen Cramer, BibleTexts.com (version 5.5.1.1)

The Church Manual is the outcome of steps taken "to organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." (Mary Baker Eddy, Church Manual)

Preface

Title page Extract from a Letter Table of Contents Tenets Historical Sketch Church Officers
Articles (Church By-Laws)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 .
Appendix
Membership Applications Order of Services Order of Communion Services Order of Sunday School Deed of Trust Deed Conveying Land
Biblical teachings in the Church Manual Manual topical index The Church of Christ, Scientist, topical index

.

Biblical teachings represented in the Church Manual

 

Title page
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Manual of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, Eighty-ninth Edition (Title page)


[Copyright holders and dates] (Man 2:1-11)

 

Extract from a Letter in "Miscellaneous Writings"
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Extract from a Letter in "Miscellaneous Writings" (Man 3:1-16)

 

Table of Contents
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Table of Contents (Man 5:1-14:14)

 

Tenets of The Mother Church
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[Introduction of the Tenets] (Man 15:1-2)

[First Tenet] (Man 15:3)

[Second Tenet] (Man 15:6)

[Third Tenet] (Man 15:10)

[Fourth Tenet] (Man 15:14)

[Fifth Tenet] (Man 16:5)

[Sixth Tenet] (Man 16:9)

 

Historical Sketch
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Historical Sketch (Man 17:0-19:9)

 

Church Officers
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Church Officers (Man 21:1-27)


CHURCH BY-LAWS


CHURCH OFFICERS

 

Article I. NAMES, ELECTION, AND DUTIES
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1.1. Names (Man 25:4)

1.2. President (Man 25:8)

1.3. Clerk and Treasurer (Man 25:15)

1.4. Readers (Man 26:12)

1.5. Directors (Man 26:19)

1.6. Church Business (Man 27:1)

1.7. Publishing Building Buildings (Man 27:11)

1.8. Trusteeships and Syndicates (Man 27:25)

1.9. Duties of Church Officers (Man 28:3-29:17)

 

Article II. READERS OF THE MOTHER CHURCH
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2.1. Election (Man 29:20)

2.2. Eligibility (Man 30:1)

2.3. Removal (Man 30:5)

2.4. First Reader's Residence (Man 30:11)

 

Article III. DUTIES OF READERS OF THE MOTHER CHURCH AND OF ITS BRANCH CHURCHES
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3.1. Moral Obligations (Man 31:4)

3.2. First Readers' Duties (Man 31:15)

3.3. Suitable Selections (Man 31:19)

3.4. Order of Reading (Man 32:1)

3.5. Naming Book and Author (Man 32:10)

3.6. Readers in Branch Churches (Man 32:17)

3.7. Enforcement of By-Laws (Man 32:26)

3.8. A Reader not a Leader (Man 33:5)

 

Article IV. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP - See first part of "APPENDIX" section below on membership applications .
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4.1. Believe in Christian Science (Man 34:4)

4.2. Free from Other Denominations (Man 34:17)

4.3. Children when Twelve Years Old (Man 35:1)

 

Article V. APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
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5.1. Students of the College (Man 35:10)

5.2. Other Students (Man 35:17)

5.3. Student's Pupils (Man 36:4)

5.4. Exceptional Cases (Man 36:14)

5.5. Addressed to Clerk (Man 36:24)

5.6. Endorsing Applications (Man 37:1)

5.7. Notice of Rejection (Man 37:7)

 

Article VI. RECOMMENDATION AND ELECTION
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6.1. Pupils of Normal Students (Man 37:16)

6.2. Members of The Mother Church (Man 37:22)

6.3. Election (Man 38:9)

 

Article VII. PROBATIONARY MEMBERSHIP
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7.1. Members who once Withdrew (Man 38:17)

7.2. Members once Dismissed (Man 39:7)

7.3. Ineligible for Probation (Man 39:16)


DISCIPLINE

 

 

Article VIII. GUIDANCE OF MEMBERS
Top
Article 8, Section >>
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

 

8.1. A Rule for Motives and Acts (Man 40:4)

8.2. To be Read in Church (Man 40:16)

8.3. Christ Jesus the Ensample (Man 41:1)

8. 4. Daily Prayer (Man 41:19)

8.5. Prayer in Church (Man 42:1)

8.6. Alertness to Duty (Man 42:4)

8.7. One Christ (Man 42:11)

8.8. No Malpractice (Man 42:19-4)

8.9. Formulas Forbidden (Man 43:5)

8.10. No Adulterating Christian Science (Man 43:13)

8.11. No Incorrect Literature (Man 43:21)

8.12. Obnoxious Books (Man 44:8)

8.13. Per Capita Tax (Man 44:12)

8.14. Church Periodicals (Man 44:16)

8.15. Church Organizations Ample (Man 44:23)

8.16. Joining Another Society (Man 45:4)

8.17. Forbidden Membership (Man 45:14)

8.18. Officious Members (Man 45:19)

8.19. Legal Titles (Man 45:23)

8.20. Illegal Adoption (Man 46:1) - "No person shall be a member of this Church who claims a spiritually adopted child or a spiritually adopted husband or wife. There must be legal adoption and legal marriage, which can be verified according to the laws of our land."

8.21. Use of Initials "C.S." (Man 46:7)

8.22. Practitioners and Patients (Man 46:12-3)

8.23. Duty to Patients (Man 47:4)

8.24. Testimonials (Man 47:11)

8.25. Charity to All (Man 47:24)

8.26. Uncharitable Publications (Man 48:6)

8.27. The Golden Rule (Man 48:11)

8.28. Numbering the People (Man 48:16)

8.29. Our Church Edifices (Man 48:22)

8.30. No Monopoly (Man 49:1)

8.31. Christian Science Nurse (Man 49:7-16)

 

Article IX. MARRIAGE AND DECEASE
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9.1. A Legal Ceremony (Man 49:19) - "If a Christian Scientist is to be married, the ceremony shall be performed by a clergyman who is legally authorized."

9.2. Sudden Decease (Man 49:23)

 

Article X. DEBATING IN PUBLIC
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10.1. No Unauthorized Debating (Man 50:7)

 

Article XI. COMPLAINTS
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11.1. Departure from Tenets (Man 50:13)

11.2. Violation of By-Laws (Man 50:22)

11.3. Violation of Christian Fellowship (Man 51:7)

11.4. Preliminary Requirement (Man 51:14)

11.5. Authority (Man 51:20)

11.6. Members in Mother Church Only (Man 52:3)

11.7. Working Against the Cause (Man 52:20)

11. 8. No Unchristian Conduct (Man 53:7)

11.9. Not to Learn Hypnotism (Man 53:15)

11.10. Publications Unjust (Man 53:23)

11.11. The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, Tenets (Man 54:7)

11.12. Special Offense (Man 54:19)

11.13. Members of Branch Churches (Man 54:25)

 

Article XII. TEACHERS
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12.1. Probation (Man 55:10)

12.2. Misteaching (Man 55:21)

 

Article XIII. REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
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13.1. Annual Meetings (Man 56:10)

13.2. Meetings of Board of Directors (Man 56:17)

13.3. Called only by the Clerk (Man 57:8)


CHURCH SERVICES

 

Article XIV. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PASTOR
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14.1. Ordination (Man 58:4)

14.2. The Lesson-Sermon (Man 58:11)

 

Article XV. READING IN PUBLIC
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15.1. Announcing Author's Name (Man 58:20)

 

Article XVI. WELCOMING STRANGERS
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16.1. The Leader's Welcome (Man 59:15)

16.2. The Local Members' Welcome (Man 59:20)

 

Article XVII. SERVICES UNINTERRUPTED
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17.1. Continued Throughout the Year (Man 60:3)

17.2. Easter Observances (Man 60:12)

17.3. Laying a Corner Stone (Man 60:22)

17.4. Overflow Meetings (Man 61:3)

 

Article XVIII. COMMUNION
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18.1. No More Communion (Man 61:8)

18. 2. Communion of Branch Churches (Man 61:11)

 

Article XIX. MUSIC IN THE CHURCH
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19.1. Soloist and Organist (Man 61:18)

 

Article XX. SUNDAY SCHOOL
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20.1. The Sunday School (Man 62:8)

20.2. Teaching the Children (Man 62:18)

20.3. Subject for Lessons (Man 62:24)

 

Article XXI. READING ROOMS
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Free Dispensary of Christian Science Healing (1887-1894)

Christian Science Reading Room (1888-present)

21.1. Establishment (Man 63:14)

21.2. Librarian (Man 63:19-2)

21.3. Literature in Reading Rooms (Man 64:3)

 

Article XXII. RELATION AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS TO PASTOR EMERITUS
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22.1. The Title of Mother Changed (Man 64:13)

22.2. A Member not a Leader (Man 65:3)

22.3. Obedience Required (Man 65:9-24)

22.4. Understanding Communications (Man 65:25)

22.5. Interpreting Communications (Man 66:6)

22. 6. Reading and Attesting Letters (Man 66:14)

22.7. Unauthorized Reports (Man 66:23)

22.8. Private Communications (Man 67:6)

22.9. Unauthorized Legal Action (Man 67:10)

22.10. Duty to God (Man 67:17)

22.11. Opportunity for Serving the Leader (Man 67:24)

22.12. Location (Man 68:17)

22.13. Agreement Required (Man 68:23)

22.14. Incomplete Term of Service (Man 69:5)

22.15. Help (Man 69:13)

22.16. Students with Mrs. Eddy (Man 69:21)

22.17. Mrs. Eddy's Room (Man 69:25)

22.18. Pastor Emeritus to be Consulted (Man 70:1)

 

Article XXIII. THE MOTHER CHURCH AND BRANCH CHURCHES
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23.1. Local Self-government (Man 70:10-20)

23.2. Titles (Man 70:21)

23.3. Mother Church Unique (Man 71:9)

23.4. Tenets Copyrighted (Man 71:20)

23.5. Manual (Man 72:1)

23.6. Organizing Churches (Man 72:4)

23.7. Requirements for Organizing Branch Churches (Man 72:25)

23.8. Privilege of Members (Man 73:7)

23.9. No Close Communion (Man 73:22)

23.10. No Interference (Man 73:26)

23.11. Teachers' and Practitioners' Offices (Man 74:10)

23.12. Recognition (Man 74:15)

 

Article XXIV. GUARDIANSHIP OF CHURCH FUNDS
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24.1. Church Edifice a Testimonial (Man 75:3-14)

24.2. Financial Situation (Man 75:15-6)

24.3. Report of Directors (Man 76:7)

24.4. Finance Committee (Man 76:15-77:17)

24.5. God's Requirement (Man 77:18)

24.6. Provision for the Future (Man 77:23)

24.7. Debt and Duty (Man 78:6)

24.8. Emergencies (Man 78:16)

24.9. Committee on Business (Man 79:1)

 

Article XXV. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY
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25.1. Board of Trustees (Man 79:18)

25.2. Disposal of Funds (Man 80:4)

25.3. Vacancies in Trusteeship (Man 80:12-21)

25.4. Editors and Manager (Man 80:22)

25.5. Suitable Employees (Man 81:5)

25.6. Periodicals (Man 81:14)

25.7. Rule of Conduct (Man 81:20)

25.8. Books to be Published (Man 81:25)

25.9. Removal of Cards (Man 82:10-21)


TEACHING CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

 

Article XXVI. TEACHERS
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26.1. Motive in Teaching (Man 83:4)

26.2. Care of Pupils (Man 83:8)

26.3. Defense against Malpractice (Man 84:1)

26.4. Number of Pupils (Man 84:7)

26.5. Pupil's Tuition (Man 84:13)

26.6. Associations (Man 84:16)

26.7. A Single Field of Labor (Man 84:23)

26.8. Caring for Pupils of Strayed Members (Man 85:4)

26.9. Teachers must have Certificates (Man 85:11-22)

 

Article XXVII. PUPILS
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27.1. Authorized to Teach (Man 86:3)

27.2. Without Teachers (Man 86:9)

27.3. Basis for Teaching (Man 86:16)

27.4. Church Membership (Man 87:1)

27.5. Class Teaching (Man 87:8-22)


BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

Article XXVIII. ORGANIZATION
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28.1. Officers (Man 88:4)

28.2. Election (Man 88:10)

28.3. President not to be Consulted (Man 88:16)

28.4. Presidency of College (Man 89:1)

 

Article XXIX. APPLICANTS AND GRADUATES
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29.1. Normal Teachers (Man 89:11)

29.2. Qualifications (Man 89:18)

29.3. Certificates (Man 90:3)

 

Article XXX. ACTION OF THE BOARD
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30.1. Sessions (Man 90:8)

30.2. Special Instruction (Man 90:17)

30.3. Signatures (Man 91:4)

30.4. Remuneration and Free Scholarship (Man 91:7)

30.5. Surplus Funds (Man 91:15)

30.6. Primary Students (Man 91:19)

30.7. Healing Better than Teaching (Man 92:3-14)

30.8. Not Members of The Mother Church (Man 92:15-6)


BOARD OF LECTURESHIP

 

Article XXXI. ORGANIZATION AND DUTIES
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31.1. Election (Man 93:4)

31.2. Duty of Lecturers (Man 93:10)

31.3. No Disruption of Branch Churches (Man 93:18)

31.4. Receptions (Man 94:6)

31.5. Circuit Lecturer (Man 94:14-21)

 

Article XXXII. CALLS FOR LECTURES
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32.1. From the Directors (Man 95:3)

32.2. From Branch Churches (Man 95:9)

32.3. From Societies (Man 95:14)

32.4. Annual Lectures (Man 95:16)

32.5. No Lectures by Readers (Man 95:20)

32.6. No Wednesday Evening Lectures (Man 96:1)

32.7. Lecture Fee (Man 96:4)

32.8. Expenses (Man 96:6)

32.9. Exceptional Cases (Man 96:9)

 

Article XXXIII. COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION
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33.1. In The Mother Church (Man 97:3)

33.2. Duties (Man 97:15)

33.3. In Branch Churches (Man 98:24-23)

33.4. Appointment (Man 99:24)

33.5. Removal from Office (Man 100:9-24)

33. 6. Case of Necessity (Man 100:25)

 

Article XXXIV. CHURCH-BUILDING
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34.1. Building Committee (Man 102:3)

34.2. Designation of Deeds (Man 102:10)

34.3. The Mother Church Building (Man 103:3)

 

Article XXXV. CHURCH MANUAL
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35.1. For The Mother Church Only (Man 104:3)

35.2. Seventy-third Edition the Authority (Man 104:12)

35.3. Amendment of By-Laws (Man 105:1)


APPENDIX

 

Special Instructions Regarding Applications for Church Membership - see also notes above on Article IV, Qualifications for Membership
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Special Instructions Regarding Applications for Church Membership (Man 109:1-110:17)

To Applicants (Man 111:1-112:11)

Application Forms (Man 113:1-119:18)

 

PRESENT ORDER OF SERVICES IN THE MOTHER CHURCH AND BRANCH CHURCHES
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Sunday Services (Man 120:1-121:18)

Wednesday Meetings (Man 122:1-16)

Thanksgiving Day (Man 123:1-124:14)

 

PRESENT ORDER OF COMMUNION SERVICES IN BRANCH CHURCHES
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Present Order of Communion Services in Branch Churches (Man 125:1-126:22)

 

ORDER OF EXERCISES FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL OF THE MOTHER CHURCH AND BRANCH CHURCHES
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Order of Exercises for the Sunday School of The Mother Church and Branch Churches (Man 127:1-20)

 

DEED OF TRUST
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DEED OF TRUST (Man 128:1-138:14)

 

DEED CONVEYING LAND FOR CHURCH PURPOSES
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DEED CONVEYING LAND FOR CHURCH PURPOSES (Man 136:1-137:22)

 

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
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Some By-Laws that were published in The Christian Science Journal that are no longer in the Church Manual

Explanations about the Church Manual as a whole, as given by Mrs. Eddy and in biographies

 

Manual topical index
Copyright 1996-2004 Robert Nguyen Cramer
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