Marybakereddy'schurchmanualchurchuniversalandtriumphant

MaryBakerEddy'sChurchManualChurchUniversalandTriumphant

Man.p.19

HelenM.Wright

©Copyright1981HelenM.Wright

©2000InternetEdition

ISBN1-886505-25-X

Tellthetruthconcerningthelie.

—MARYBAKEREDDY

Alielefttoitselfisnotsosoondestroyedaswiththehelpoftruth-telling.

—MARYBAKEREDDY

Error,whenfoundout,istwo-thirdsdestroyed,andtheremainingthirddestroysitself.

—MARYBAKEREDDY

ToallwholoveandrevereGod'srecordingangel,MaryBakerEddy;wholongtoseeherplaceinscripturalprophecyacknowledged;hernamerestoredtoitsproperplaceinworldesteemandhumanhistory;and

ToallwhohavewonderedwhysheratedherChurchManualsecondonlytoScienceandHealth;whyshesaid:"EternityawaitsourChurchManual."

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

IamindebtedtoDr.HarryR.Shawk,ofLacey,Washington,forhiskindnessinallowingmetousematerialfromthefollowingofhisnumerouscopyrightedcassettetapes:

No.974002--TheChurchManualandChurchGovernment

No.975050--WhatDotheEstoppelsReallyStop?

No.976051--WhattheFullBenchActuallySaid.

SpecialthanksgotoAbbieBentleyforherinvaluablecontribution,encouragementandsupport.

Aboveall,theauthor'sdeepgratitudeisdueMaryBakerEddy,theDiscovererandFounderofChristianScience,forherunparalleledgifttomankindinthisage,theChristianSciencetextbook,andherotherwritings,whichshowhumanityitsdivinityandhowtorealizescientificallythateachoneofusisGodinaction.

ExplanatoryNotes

Italicsnotappearingintheoriginalquotationsaresometimesused,nottoemphasize,buttoidentifythatportionofthequotedirectlyapplicabletothepointunderdiscussion.

Capitalizationoftheterm"By-Laws":Mrs.Eddycapitalizedtheterm"By-Laws"becausesheknewGodhaddictatedthoseBy-Laws:"Theywereimpelledbyapowernotone'sown"(seeManual,p.3).

Thetitle"ScienceandHealth"isnotitalicizedforthesamereasonthattheBibleisnotordinarilyitalicized,indeferencetothestatusofthesebooksasdivineteachers.

Explanation:"CHURCHUNIVERSALANDTRIUMPHANT"asusedthroughoutthisbookreferstoawhollyspiritualstateofconsciousnesstobeattainedbyeveryindividual,whereinmanisawareoftheomnipresenceofpresentperfectionasthefactofbeing,thusdemonstratingthekingdomofheavenonearth.Mrs.Eddyusedtheterms"universal"and"triumphant"inthefirstChurchManual,copyrightedin1895,asreferringtotheChurchshefounded.Sheshortlycapitalizedtheseterms,andin1903changedtheearlywordingtoreadaswehaveitintheManualtoday:"CHURCHUNIVERSALANDTRIUMPHANT"

IMPORTANTNOTETOTHEREADER

In1866MaryBakerEddydiscoveredtheChristScienceorthedivinelawsofLife,Truth,andLove.ShenamedthisdiscoveryChristianScience.Mrs.EddysawthatGodisAll-in-allandisdivineconsciousnessordivineMind.Inhertextbook,ScienceandHealth,page468,shestates,"AllisinfiniteMindanditsinfinitemanifestation,forGodisAll-in-all."HerScienceteachestheomnipresenceofpresentperfection.AgreatparadigmshiftisnecessaryinorderthathumanitymaycomeintolinewithwhatMaryBakerEddysawastherealityofbeing.Thisparadigmshiftistodaycomingthrough"revolutionsecclesiasticalandsocial"throughaconsciousnessrevolution.Avastoverturningofstandpointsispresentlytakingplaceinwhichaspiritualscientificmodelofconsciousnessissupplantingtheoldmodelofmateriality.

"Theonlyfactconcerninganymaterialconceptis,thatitisneitherscientificnoreternal,butsubjecttochangeanddissolution."UnderstandingisthesubstanceofChristianScience.Thisunderstandingoperatesasasolventwithinhumanconsciousness,strippingawayourignorantlycherishedbeliefs,andrevealingtheeternalfactsofbeingwhichconstitutereality.MaryBakerEddyfullyexpectedtheScienceshebroughtmankindtoaccomplishexactlywhatitwasdivinelycommissionedtodo:dissolveallmaterialconceptswiththeintroductionintohumanconsciousnessofspiritualideas.

Thisunderstanding,activewithintheconsciousnessofChristJesus,wasresponsibleforthedissolutionofeverymoleculeofmatterinhisascendingevolvement.Asanindividual,Jesusawakenedfromthemythofmatterandestablishedforallmankindthesublimegoalofconsciousattainment.IthasbeensaidthatJesusgavethelaboratoryexperimentandMaryBakerEddywrotethescientifictextbookexplaininghowitwasdone.ShediscoveredtheSciencebehindJesus'works.GodrevealedtohertheunitybetweentheabsoluteletterofChristianityandthespiritofChristianity.ShesawthatthisunityoftheabsoluteletterandthespiritofChristianitydwellsforeverinthedivineMind,andsoisthePrincipleofman'sbeing.ThisPrinciplerevealsitselfthroughthehumancharacter,asMrs.Eddyexplainsonpage246ofMiscellany.Mrs.EddyreducedthisabsoluteletterandspiritofChristianitytoadivinelyscientificsystem.Thissystemworksthroughacalculusofdivineideas,anditistodaybeingtaughtinclassrooms.

Mrs.Eddy'sdiscoveryofdivineScienceusheredinatotallynewage--anageinwhichwewillfindourselves"kingsandpriestsuntoGod."Anunderstandingofhertextbook,ScienceandHealthwithKeytotheScriptures,givesthestudentanewMind,atotallynewconsciousnessinwhichtheheartcommunesdirectlywithGod,good--ultimatereality.Mrs.Eddytaughtmankindthatfindingthekingdomofheavenapresentrealityrestswiththeindividualandhisunderstanding.Thekingdomiswithin,anditiswithinconsciousnessthatwefindouronenesswithdivinePrinciple,justasitiswithinconsciousnessthatwefindouronenesswiththeprincipleofmathematicsormusic.EachmustbecomeconsciouslyawareofhisindividualonenesswithdivinePrinciple.ThisisthecruxofMaryBakerEddy'smessagetohumanity.

UntilMrs.Eddy"learnedthevastnessofChristianScience,thefixednessofmortalillusions,andthehumanhatredofTruth,shecherishedsanguinehopesthatChristianSciencewouldmeetwithimmediateanduniversal,acceptance."Shesoonfoundhowsubtleanddeterminedwerethewaysofthecarnalmind:"ThepowersofevilareleaguedtogetherinsecretconspiracyagainsttheLordandhisChrist,asexpressedandoperativeinChristianScience."Thecentralpointofattackinthis"conspiracy"hasbeenMrs.Eddyherself.AboveallelsetheenemyseekstodestroytheimageofMaryBakerEddyasGod'srecordingangeltothisage.

Inthisbook,andinitspredecessor,MaryBakerEddy:ANewLook,theauthorsoundsabuglecalltoreinstateMaryBakerEddyinherproperplaceinworldesteemandhumanhistoryandtoacquaintallmankindwiththefactthatMaryBakerEddyfulfilledJesus'prophecytoSt.JohnconcerningthewomanoftheApocalypse.TheScienceMaryBakerEddybroughtrevealsman'strueMindtobetheMindofGod.

ThatMrs.Eddywasawareoftheenemy'splantomoveheroutofherGod-appointedplaceastheLeaderoftheChristianScienceMovementcanbeseenfromhertwowidelypublishedletters:

OnewasalettertoEdwardA.KimballinwhichsheexplainedthatfortheworldtounderstandherinhertruelightandlifewoulddomorefortheCauseofChristianSciencethananythingelsecould.Mrs.Eddyknewshewasthe"womanoftheApocalypse,"theRevelatortothisage,thewomanJesushadrevealedtoSt.JohnintheBookofRevelation.Theenemy,Mrs.Eddysaid,triedhardertohidehertrueidentitythantowinanyotherpoint.ShewentontosaythatJesus'lifeandcharacterhadbeentreatedinthesamewayherlifeandcharacterwerebeingtreated(andwemightadd,arebeingtreatedtoday,inviewofthedisobediencetoherManualestoppels,andthefailuretochallengethesubtleandopendenigrationofhercharacter.)Mrs.Eddyregrettedtoseethatloyalstudentswerenotmoreawaketo"thisgreatdemand"tomeettheenemy'stactics.

WhenJudgeSeptimusJ.HannawroteMrs.EddyforadviceregardinglecturingonChristianScience,shewrotehimasimilarletterinwhichsheagainexplainedthattheunitedplanoftheevildoerswastokeephiddenhertrueidentityashavingfulfilledtheprophecyofChristJesus--"tokeepherassheis,outofsight."ShetoldJudgeHannathatkeepingthetruthofhercharacterbeforethepublicwouldhelpthestudents,anddomorethanallelsefortheCause.Christianity,shesaid,lostitspuritybecauseofthepersecution,defaming,andkillingofitsdefenders.ThereisnodoubtthatMrs.Eddy,whensheplacedtheestoppelclausesintheChurchManual,knewthatthosewhourgedobediencetothoseestoppelswouldbedefamedandpersecuted,inordertoprotectthematerialorganizationanditscontinuity;henceherurgentwarning:"Donotletthisperiodrepeatthismistake.""TellthetruthaboutyourLeader,"shesaid."Thatwillhealandsave."SheknewtheliewouldhavejusttheoppositeeffectandthattheenemyknewthismoreclearlythandomostChristianScientists

InMiscellanyshewrote:"Theeffortofdisloyalstudentstoblackenmeandtokeepmyworksfrompublicrecognition--studentsseekingonlypublicnotoriety,whomIhaveassistedpecuniarilyandstriventoupliftmorally--hasbeenmadetoomanytimesandhasfailedtoooftenformetofearit."Then,becauseshedidn'thavethetimetobecontinuallypursuingalie,sheasked"thehelpofothersinthismatter...Alielefttoitselfisnotsosoondestroyedaswiththehelpoftruth-telling"Thesolepurposeofthisbookisto"tellthetruthconcerningthelie."

Striveiteversohard,TheChurchofChrist,Scientist,canneverdoforitsLeaderwhatitsLeaderhasdoneforthischurch;butitsmemberscansoprotecttheirownthoughtsthattheyarenotunwittinglymadetodeprivetheirLeaderofherrightfulplaceastherevelatortothisageoftheimmortaltruthstestifiedtobyJesusandtheprophets[concerningher].

CONTENTS

Dedication-v

Acknowledgements-vi

Explanatorynotes-vii

ImportantNotetotheReader-ix

Abbreviations-xv

Preface-xvii

ThelawsuitagainsttheIndependentChristianScienceChurchofPlainfield,xvii;IsthetermChristianSciencea"trademark"?xvii;Mrs.Eddy'spositiononchurchorganizationsinherfirsteditionofScienceandHealth,xxi.

ChapterI-HistoricalBackground-1

TheArchives,3;theDickey"Memoirs",6;TheSecondChurchOrganization,8;Mrs.Eddy'sTheocraticGovernment,12;ReportoftheCommitteeonGeneralWelfare,15;TheheresytrialofJohnWDoorly,20

ChapterII-MaryBakerEddy'sThreeDeedsofTrustandtheEstoppelClauses-26

Documentstobediscussed,26;Mrs.Eddy'sthreelegaldocumentsandherFirstandSecondChurchOrganizations,27;DeedsofTrustof1892and1903,31;Differencebetween1892DeedofTrustandSecondChurchOrganization,32;PublishingSocietyDeedofTrust,34;EstoppelClausesintheManual,42;SupremeJudicialCourtrecognizedEstoppels,52;WhydidnotMrs.EddybluntlystateherIntentions?53;HowtheEstoppelswork,55

ChapterIIILegalism'sChallengetoMrs.Eddy'sChurchManual-65

FirstChurchOrganization1879-1889,68;SecondChurchOrganization--FirstManual,68;SecondManual,68;EighthManual,70;TenthManual,70;TwelfthManual,70;EighteenthManual,71;TwentiethManual,72;Twenty-EighthManual,72;Twenty-NinthManual,72;FirstandSecondDeedofTrust,74;ImportantChangeinChurchManual,75;TwoBoardsofDirectorsEstablished--OneFiduciary,OneEcclesiastical,76;RecognitionofEstoppelClausesbySupremeJudicialCourt,81;GeorgeWendellAdamsarticle,81;TheExtensionisBranchnotMother,91;SecondDeedofTrustnotSupplementary,91;TheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,isBranch,95;MissionofthePublishingSociety,96

ChapterIVTheGreatLiteratureLitigationandWhattheFullBenchActuallySaid-99

FourErrorsinBillinEquity,101;SecondBillinEquity,102;ErrorsinSecondBillinEquity,102;InterimBillinEquity,April10,1920,106;FindingsoftheFullBench,112;InterimInjunction,112;TheCourt'sDecision,114;WhythePublishingTrusteesdidnotappealtotheU.S.SupremeCourt,127;Directors'MisinterpretationofCourt'sDecisionleadstoEcclesiasticalMonopoly,127

ChapterVScienceandHealthCopyright"Act"1971-131

1934CopyrightIllegal,132;the1971CopyrightAction,134;CopyrightActUnconstitutional,135;CommitteeontheJudiciaryHearing,140;TestimonyofAttorneyHackman,155;ChooseYeThisDayWhomYeWillServe,159;Resultofthe70-YearRuleinDisobediencetotheChurchManual,161

Conclusion-165

APPENDIX

Appendices-169

(1)Mrs.Eddy'sWillandTwoCodicils-171

(2)DeedofTrustofSeptember1,1892-182

(3)DeedofTrustofMarch19,1903-185

(4)ChristianSciencePublishingSocietyDeedofTrustJanuary25,1898-187

(5)BillinEquitydatedMarch25,1919-193

(6)BillinEquitydatedApril10,1921-212

(7)DecisionoftheFullBenchoftheSupremeJudicialCourtofMassachusetts,November23,1921-223

(8)CopyrightActonScienceandHealth:CommitteeontheJudiciaryReport-255

Index-305

llustrationsandFacsimiles

TheSunburst-opp.24

SignedstatementbyMrs.EddytoLauraSargent,1910-37

ExtractfromletterbyMrs.EddytoAugustaStetson,1898-40-41

Mrs.Eddy'sletterstatingthatTheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,washerchurchandnottheBoardofDirectors'Church-82-84

TheRaisingofLazarus-85

TheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,inBoston,Massachusetts(architecturaldrawing)-92

TheAnointingofJesusbyMary:"ThetrueworshipersworshiptheFatherinSpiritandinTruth!'--Jesus-opp.142

Theangelwiththelittlebook-opp.142

LetterfromLibraryofCongressCopyrightOfficetoD.J.Nolan,confirmingnocopyrightregistrationexistsonScienceandHealth1907-1910-142a

ChartshowingriseanddeclineofregisteredChristianSciencePractitionersandChurches,1910-1980-160

______

AbbreviationsforthetitlesofMrs.Eddy'swritingsarethoseusedintheConcordancestoherworksasfollows

S&H-ScienceandHealth

Man-ChurchManual

Mis-MiscellaneousWritings

Ret-RetrospectionandIntrospection

My-TheFirstChurchofChristScientistandMiscellany

Rud-RudimentalDivineScience

Un-UnityofGood

No-NoandYes

'00-Messagefor1900

Po-Poems

PREFACE

IN1980alawsuitwasfiledbytheChristianScienceBoardofDirectorsofTheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,inBoston,Massachusetts,againstIndependentChristianScienceChurchofPlainfield,NewJersey,inwhichtheBostonBoardofDirectorsaskedtheCourttorulethattheterm"ChristianScience"isatrademark,andassuchisthepropertyoftheBoardofDirectorsinBoston.TheissuebeforetheCourtcanbesummarizedinonequestion:

DofiveindividualsinBostonowntheterm"ChristianScience?--dothemembersofIndependentChristianScienceChurchofPlainfieldhavetherighttocallthemselvesChristianScientists,orcantheybedeprivedoftheirconstitutionalrighttoreligiouslibertyandfreedomtopracticetheirreligion,inaccordancewiththeirinterpretationoftheteachingsofMaryBakerEddy?

ThattheBoardofDirectorsistryinglegallytopreventnon-churchaffiliatedChristianScientistsfromusingthename"ChristianScience,""ChristScience,"or"ChristianScientist,"shouldawakeneveryChristianScientisttothefurtherimplications.DotheCourtsofthelandhavethepowertodecidewhocanandwhocannotcallhimselfaBaptist,aMethodist,aQuaker,oraChristianScientist?

ThisactionbytheBoardofDirectorsinBostontodebarChristianScientistsfromusingthewords"ChristianScience"unlesstheyhaveobtainedtheBoardofDirectors'expresspermissionandapproval,seemsanomalous,andisentirelycontrarytotheChristianSciencedoctrinethat"Godhasendowedmanwithinalienablerights,amongwhichareself-government,reason,andconscience."

FortheDirectorstoclaimownershipofthetermChristianScienceseemsanattempttoholdacompletelyspiritualidea"inthegraspofmatter."WemightcomparethistoaninstitutionsuchasOxfordorCambridgeclaimingownershipofthescienceofmathematics,andonlythosesubscribingtoitsconclusionsandwaysofteachingmayusemathematicsorbecalledmathematicians.Anysuchclaimtotheownershipofthescienceofmathematicswouldbeconsideredridiculous,andtheattemptoftheBoardofDirectorsinBostontoclaimownershipofthetermChristianScienceisnolessludicrous.

ThethoughtofgrantingexclusiveauthoritytoachurchbodyoranyotherbodytocontroltheuseofsuchbroadterminologyisrepugnanttothenaturalinstinctsofaScientistwhosubscribestoMrs.Eddy's"DeclarationofIndependence,"whereinshewrites:"Godhasendowedmanwithinalienablerights,amongwhichareself-government,reason,andconscience.Manisproperlyself-governedonlywhenheisguidedrightlyandgovernedbyhisMaker,divineTruthandLove'"

ThisstatementbyMaryBakerEddy,andher"MagnaCharta'"arethekeytoherChurchManual,andthekeytotheunderstandingofthisbook."TheMagnaChartaofChristianSciencemeansmuch,"saysMrs.Eddy,"...Itstandsfortheinalienable,universalrightsofmen.Essentiallydemocratic,itsgovernmentisadministeredbythecommonconsentofthegoverned,whereinandwherebymangovernedbyhiscreatorisself-governed.ThechurchisthemouthpieceofChristianScience--itslawandgospelareaccordingtoChrist,Jesus;itsrulesarehealth,holiness,andimmortality--equalrightsandprivileges,equalityofthesexes,rotationinoffice."

Mrs.Eddy'sManualcontainseveryprovisionnecessaryfortheimmediateestablishmentoftheenlightenedgovernmentthatherDeclarationofIndependenceinScienceandHealth,aswellasherMagnaCharta,urgeuponus.ThesetwostatementsepitomizethespiritoftheManualwhentheManualisacceptedinitsentiretyaswrittenbyMaryBakerEddy.

ACourtrulinginfavoroftheBostonBoardofDirectorswoulddeprivetensofthousandsofloyalChristianScientistsoftherighttousethenameChristianSciencetoidentifythemselvesandtheiractivities.

ThematerialinthisbookwillproveMaryBakerEddyplannedbrilliantlyforthefutureoftheChristianScienceMovementwhenshewasnolongerpersonallypresent.Herplansandintentions,however,werethwartedbytheself-interestofadisloyalBoardofDirectorswhoannulledtheBy-Lawsanddisobedientlycontinuedinoffice.

StudentsofChristianSciencewhostudytheChurchManualareoftenpuzzledconcerningthoseBy-Lawscontaininganestoppelclause,meaningthatanactioncannottakeplacewithoutMrs.Eddy'sconsent.UsuallythestudentistoldthatatthetimeofMrs.Eddy'sdeparturethegovernmentofthechurchpassedintothehandsoftheBoardofDirectors.ButeventuallyonelearnsthatMrs.EddyinsistedonleavingtheestoppelsintheManualeventhoughshewasrepeatedlyaskedtoremovethemandadvisedbyherBoardofDirectorsthatifshedidnotremovetheestoppelsthechurchwouldbecrippledatthetimeofherpassing.Thusthestudentisfacedwiththedecision:DoIfollowtheBoardofDirectorsordoIfollowMaryBakerEddy?

Thetwenty-sixormoreestoppelsintheManualterminatedTheMotherChurchandtheofficesofherBoardofDirectors.EveryvitalactivityofTheMotherChurchrequiredhersignature,consent,orapproval.WheninDecember,1910,Mrs.Eddypassedon,thefive-memberecclesiasticalBoardofDirectors,inpoweratthattime,decidedtoignoretheestoppels(ashaseveryBoardsince)thusviolatingtheChurchManualandsubstitutinghumanfordivineguidance.

FourdaysafterMrs.Eddy'spassingtheBoardofDirectorsissuedapublicstatementtothepressinwhichtheystated:

"TheauthoritygiventheBoardofDirectorsbytheChurchManualremainsintactandisfullyadequateforthegovernmentoftheorganizationandallitsaffairs.ThepolicyoftheBoardwillbethesameasunderMrs.Eddy'sdirection."

WithinamonthortwoofMrs.Eddy'spassingtheBoardissuedaManualoftheirown,the89thManual,inwhichtheydeletedMrs.Eddy'snameandtitleasPastorEmeritusfromthelistofchurchofficersandextendedtheircontroloverthebranchchurches.TheBoardannouncedthemselvestobeMrs.Eddy'ssuccessor,andgraduallyassumedthepositionof"thehighestecclesiasticalcourtintheland."

ExceptforafewbravevoicesheroicallyraisedindefenseofMaryBakerEddy'splanforspiritualgovernment,thefieldingeneralneverquestionedtheecclesiasticalhierarchythatdevelopedastheresultofwaivingtheManual'sestoppels.

RecentlyanumberofmembershavebeguntostudythehistoryoftheManualandtheprogressiveideasofMaryBakerEddy.TheynowrealizeTheMotherChurchwasdissolvedattheAnnualMeetingheldinJune,1911,whentheofficersofTheMotherChurchcouldnotbeelectedorreelectedwithouttheapprovalofthePastorEmeritus,MaryBakerEddy.ContinuingTheMotherChurchgovernmentaftertheAnnualMeetinginJuneof1911couldonlybedonebywaivingandannullingtheestoppelclauses.

ArticleXXXV,Sections1and3,havebeenviolatedsince1911bythosewhohaveassumeda"perpetuity"notgrantedbytheauthoroftheChurchManual.

BecausetheBoardofDirectorssoughtalegalinterpretationoftheManual'ssacredBy-Laws,theChristianScienceMovementhasbeenheldin"thegraspoflegalpower"forthepastseventyyears.Today,aswhenMrs.EddywroteinMiscellaneousWritingslongago,

Thefoundationonwhichourchurch[is]built[has]toberescuedfromthegraspoflegalpower,and...itmustbeputbackintothearmsofLove,ifwewouldnotbefoundfightingagainstGod.

Inhis1980booklet,ScienceandHealthandtheChurchManual,W.GordonBrownthrowslightonthedeepspiritualmeaningoftheChristianScienceManual.Hestates:"InitsrelationtoScienceandHealth,theManualliberatesChristianSciencefromtheshacklesoforganizedreligion,andsobeginstosolveformankindtheproblemsoflifeseeminglyheldcaptiveinmatter."

Mrs.Eddy'sManual"standsalone,uniquelyadaptedtoformthebuddingthoughtandhedgeitaboutwithdivineLove."Itcontainsrulesandlawsnecessarytoreachhergoal,namely,toestablishtheChurchofChrist,Scientist,astheCHURCHUNIVERSALANDTRIUMPHANT--"the[eternal]church,builtwithouthands."

Becauseherfollowerswantedanoutwardsign,amaterialchurch,Mrs.Eddyalloweditasaconcessiontothespiritualblindnessofthatperiod.Therealchurch,theChurchofChrist,Scientist,isawhollyspiritualstateofconsciousnesswhichwilleventuallybeattainedbyeveryone.

NooneknewbetterthanMrs.Eddythegreatdangerthatlayintheillusionthatthematerialinstitutionwasthepermanentandultimategoal.Sheknew"therewasneverareligionorphilosophylosttothecenturiesexceptbysinkingitsdivinePrincipleinpersonality."Inanefforttopreventthedevelopmentofanecclesiasticalhierarchy,andtheidolatryofloyaltytoBostonratherthantodivinePrinciple,Mrs.EddycompletelydissolvedTheMotherChurchanditsactivitiesatherpassing.

ThetheocraticgovernmentofMaryBakerEddyasoutlinedintheChurchManualceasedafterherdeparture.ThehighstandardofgovernmentshemaintainedbystrictobediencetoGod'spromptingsshouldneverhavebeenreplacedbyadictatorialregimeoffivepersons.Hadshewishedthistohappenshesurelywouldnothaveinsertedthetwenty-sixormoreestoppelsthatabolishedtheirofficeasDirectorsandbroughtallMotherChurchactivitytoahalt;shecouldhaveenactedTheMotherChurchlegallyasshedidthePublishingSociety,andthelocalBostonchurchwhichsheestablishedthroughtwoDeedsofTrust.

ASciencedoesnotneedachurch.Mrs.Eddy'spositiononthissubjectisexpressedinherfirsteditionofScienceandHealth,apositionshemaintainedsteadfastlytotheend:

Wehavenoneedofcreedsandchurchorganizationstosustainorexplainademonstrableplatformthatdefinesitselfinhealingthesickandcastingouterror...ThemistakethedisciplesofJesusmadetofoundreligiousorganizationsandchurchrites,ifindeedtheydidthis,wasonetheMasterdidnotmake.

In1910,atthecompletionofMaryBakerEddy'smission,thebreadthandgrandeurofuniversaltruthandSciencelaybeforemankind.Then,throughwhathasbecomeknownasthe"1910Coup,'theChristianScienceMovementbeganitsdeclinetowardalessandlessinfluentialworldforceinthe"healingofthenations."Fortunately,however,sincetheBoardofDirectorsusurpedpowerandauthoritybyignoringMrs.Eddy'sestoppelclauses,wehavewitnessedtheslowstepbystepegressofMrs.Eddy'sdivinerevelation--egressfromthelimitations,theignorance,thecruelty,stagnation,andintothejoy,grace,andgloryofthelibertyanunderstandingofherSciencebrings.

Thisbookcontainsimportantdocuments;andtheexplanationofinformationtheycontainshouldhastenacceptanceofthedivinelegacyoffreedombequeathedusbyMrs.Eddy'sChurch Manualestoppelclauses.

Thisisthefirsttimethesedocumentshaveappearedinonevolume.Untilnowthisinformationhasbeenscattered.Someofitwasavailableinseparatetractsandpamphletsbycourageouswriterswhogavebrief,bravehelpfulaccounts;certainlegaldocumentscouldbefoundincourts,invariousdeedsofregistry.Fewpeople,however,tookthetroubletoseekthemout.Nowithasbeenbroughttogetherinonebook.Eachreadermaynowjudge,maynowdecide.WasMaryBakerEddyrighttodissolveTheMotherChurchatthetimeofherpassing?OrwastheBoardofDirectorsrightwhenitcontinuedthematerialorganizationinspiteofMrs.Eddy'sexplicitinstructionsintheChurchManualwhichterminateTheMotherChurchanditsactivities?WaivingtheestoppelsintheManualinsteadofobeyingthemhasledinexorablytotoday'scrisis,thelawsuitfiledagainstIndependentChristianScienceChurchofPlainfield,andtheBoardofDirectors'claimtotheownershipoftheterm"ChristianScience."

InthehopethatthepastseventyyearshavepreparedallChristianScientiststoaccepttotalfreedom,wecommitthesepagestohonestseekersfortruth.

H.M.W.

June,1981

Whoistellingmankindofthefoeinambush?(S&H.571:11)

ManyarewillingtoopentheeyesofthepeopletothepowerofgoodresidentindivineMind,buttheyarenotsowillingtopointouttheevilinhumanthoughtandexposeevil'shiddenmentalwaysofaccomplishinginiquity.(S&H.570:30)

GOINGtochurchonSundaywasadeep--rootedcustominthemid--nineteenthcentury.MaryBakerEddy'sfollowerslongedforaplaceofworship.TheyfeltlostwithoutthechurchtheyhadsorecentlylefttojointheranksofChristianScientists.

Mrs.Eddyhadnotwantedtoformanorganization;however,thedifficultyoflaunchinghergreatmission,togetherwiththeforceofevents,ledhertoconcludethatachurchorganizationcouldbeusefulinthebeginning—a"sufferittobesonow"expediency.ShesawitasaconcessiontothelackofspiritualityoftheageinwhichshewascarryingoutherGod-appointedwork.Thusin1879thefirstchurchorganizationwasformed.

In1889sheclosedthematerialorganizationsshehadestablished--herchurchandmetaphysicalcollege.Shefelttheyhadoutlivedtheirusefulnessandthatthetimehadcometoadopt"thepurelyChristlymethodofteachingandpreaching."AtthetimesheclosedherCollegeshesaid,"Whenstudentshavefulfilledallthegoodendsoforganization,andareconvincedthatbyleavingthematerialformsthereof,ahigherspiritualunityiswon,thenisthetimetofollowtheexampleoftheAlmaMater."Theswaddlingclothesofmaterialformsofworshipmustbedropped.ThoughMrs.EddyneverarbitrarilydemandedthatChristianScientistsdissolvetheirorganizations,ordesistfromorganizingchurchesandassociations,shedidpersistinherstrongwarningsthatcontinuedorganizationwouldretardspiritualgrowth,blightspirituality,andfinallywipeitouttotally.Sheknewthatmaterialorganizationandspiritualorganizationaretwodifferentstandpoints.Wecannotobeyboth,foroneabsolutelydestroystheothersinceoneortheothereventuallybecomessupremeinouraffections.Itisimpossibletoworkfromtwostandpoints;thereforeweshallpresently"holdtotheoneanddespisetheother."TensofthousandsofdedicatedChristianScientistshavecometorealizethetruemeaningofChurch,andhaveleftmaterialorganizationwhich"warswithLove'sspiritualcompact."

InthePrefacetoScienceandHealthMrs.Eddywrote,"Thetimeforthinkershascome."In1891misguided,misdirectedstudentstriedtoformageneralassociationforthedispensingofChristianScienceliterature.Mrs.Eddywasquicktodetectinthismovethebeginningsofanarbitrarycontrolofwhatstudentsshouldandshouldnotread.SheimmediatelysentwordtotheChristianScienceJournalthatshedisapprovedofsuchanorganizationasittended"topromotemonopolies,classlegislation,andunchristianmotivesforChristianwork."Herinstruction,reproducedbelow,indicatesthatshewouldhavedeploredthepresentruleof"authorized"and"unauthorized"literature.Thispolicyof"authorizedliterature"wasenactedsixyearsafterMrs.Eddy'sdeparturetopreventChristianScientistsfromreadinganythingthatmightshaketheirblindfaithintheBoardofDirectorsasMrs.Eddy'ssuccessor.

CARD.

SincemyattentionhasbeencalledtothearticleintheMayJournal,IthinkitwouldhavebeenwisernottohaveorganizedtheGeneralAssociationforDispensingChristianScienceLiterature.

1.BecauseIdisbelieveintheutilityofsowidespreadanorganization.Ittendstopromotemonopolies,classlegislationandunchristianmotivesforChristianwork.

2.Iconsidermystudentascapable,individually,ofselectingtheirownreadingmatterandcirculatingit,asacommitteewouldbewhichischosenforthispurpose.

IShallhavenothingfurthertosayonthissubject,buthopemystudents'conclusionwillbewiselydrawn,andtendtopromotethewelfareofthoseoutside,aswellasinsidethisorganization.

MARYB.G.EDDY

Shortlyafterthe"greatliteraturelitigation"thepagecontainingthiswiseandtimelywarning--socrucialtothesuccessoftheChristianScienceMovement--wasremovedfromcopiesoftheJournalintheChristianScienceReadingRoomsthroughoutthecountry.Tomaintainitsprestige,power,andauthority,theecclesiasticalhierarchyknewitmustcontrolwhatitsmembershipreadsorhears.

NOTETOREADER

ThetwolettersbyMaryBakerEddy,printedbelow,cametolightafterthisbookhadgonetopress.TheyareinsertedherebecausetheygraphicallyspelloutMrs.Eddy'sfeelingthatthe"authorizing"ofChristianScienceliteraturewaslittleshortofcriminal.TherecanbenodoubtthatMrs.Eddyreservedherseverestcriticismfortheattemptonthepartofherstudentsto"authorize"onlyMrs.Eddy'swritingsand"theliteraturebestadaptedtothedemand[which]willbenamedbyaCommittee"(TheC.S.Journal,May,1891.)

Mrs.Eddytermedthestudents'plantoauthorizeonlyherownwritings"prescriptiveandtyrannical,workingagainstjusticeandlove."Furtherdenouncingtheirplan,shevehementlycharacterizedtheauthorizingofliteratureas"mostwicked....uncharitable,"asa"curse,"an"offensive,"and"obnoxious"measure.Shedeclaredthatherwritingswerefortheentireworld;thatwhatGodhaddictatedtoherwasforTHEWORLDandthatshehasnotgivenGod'sWordtojustaprivilegedMONOPOLYtotyrannizeoverotherwriters."

Mrs.Eddyrightlydiscernedwhattheoutcomeofsuchaschemewouldbe.HerletterstoMr.Nixonshowherdeep,heartfeltconcernthatChristianScientistsremainfreeofallattemptsatmind-controlbyanecclesiasticalbody.Thereadercanseeforhimself,fromtheseletterstoMr.NixonthattheauthorizingofChristianScienceliterature,whichwasbegunsixyearsafterMrs.Eddy'spassing,wastheverythingourLeaderwishedtopreventaboveallelse:

-LetterstoWm.G.Nixon:*1891

1.([DatedJune24andsigned"Yours,M.B.G.EDDY")

DearMr.Nixon:DidyouconsenttosellScienceandHealthandmyworkstothoseonlywhowouldbuyandsellmywritings,byavoteonthisquestion,oftheGeneralAsso.forDispensingC.S.Literature'?

CanitbethatonewhohaswrittentomeasyouhaveonoffensivemeasuresusedinourCausecouldhavedonethis?

Iwillripupallmybusinessrelationsandtakeintomyhandsbeforethismostwicked,prescriptive,uncharitablemeasureshallbecarried.IneverreadtheMayjournalandneverknewtillnowthecurseinthisplatformofStetson's.IneverdreamedofsuchaplatformasStetson'sbeingbroughtforwardbyaChristianScientist!Nomanorwomanhastoldmeofthisobnoxiousfeature,butmyFatherhas,anditshallbestoppedbyHisservantwhohasgivenHiswordtotheworld--nottoaprivilegedmonopolytotyrannizeoverotherwriters.

N.B.[signed"Affectionately,M.B.G.EDDY":]Icannotblameyouifyoudidthisoutofaconscientiousconsenttomyrequest[underthe"SevenFixedRules,"]butIonlymarvelthatyoudidnottellmeofthisprescriptivetyrannicalclauseonbuyingandsellingotherliteraturethanmine.Itisthe"old"madeworsethanatfirst.

2)[DatedJune26andsigned"Lovingly,M.B.G.EDDY":]

MydearMr.Nixon:Ididnotbelieveyouwouldconsentknowinglytoanythingthatworksagainstjusticeandlove.Neitherwouldmypreciousstudent,Mrs.Stetson.ButneitherofyouseewhatGodshowsmewouldgrowoutofthismovement.Icannotmakeyouseeit.Godalonecan,andevenHecannotuntilyougrowuptoit.ThenwhatcanIdo--onlytospeakHiswordofwarningandwaitforallthedoubtstogrowuptounderstandingHisways,andminewhomGoddirected?

N.B.Nothingshouldbepublishednowrelativetothisorganization--[now]thatMrs.S.hasstoppedthemovement,ifindeedshehas.Shewillseemetoday.ThenIshallknow,forthisworkisourstodo.P.2-a

*(RichardOakes'MaryBakerEddy'sSixDaysofRevelation,p.373)

THEARCHIVES

RegardingthearchivesofTheMotherChurch,aformerhighofficialinTheMotherChurchwrites:"MostChristianScientistsdonotknowtherealpurposeoftheArchives.Ostensiblytheywerestartedto'preserve'thehistoricaldocumentsandpapersofthechurch.ActuallytheywereintendedtobringinandburyallevidencethatshowedthatMrs.Eddydidnotwantahighlyorganizedchurch!

Biographersandhistorianscantestifytothedifficultiesencounteredwhenseekingadmittancetothearchives.ProfessorBraden,wishingtoconsultthearchives,writesthatanimportantofficialofthechurchtoldhimthatifhewould"submitanythinghemightwriteconcerningChristianScience,theywouldconsultthearchivesandtell[him]whetherornotitwastrue."

TheexperienceofGilbertCarpenter,Jr.andGilbertCarpenter,Sr.illustratestheBostonBoardofDirectors'determinationtocontrolthereadingmatterofthechurch.WhenGilbertCarpenter,Jr.establishedTheCarpenterFoundationforthepreservationofunpublisheddocuments,articles,letters,privateinstructions,andothermaterialbyandaboutMaryBakerEddy,hewasharassedbyTheMotherChurchBoardofDirectors,whofeltthismaterialshouldnotbegivenouttotheField,butshouldbekept"safe"inthearchivesofTheMotherChurch.Theirreason,ofcourse,wasthattheFieldwasnotreadyforwhatMrs.Eddytaughtstudentsprivately,inperson,orvialetters,articles,etc.

Asaninterestingsidenotehere,whenGilbertCarpenter,Sr.,whohadatonetimeservedasMrs.Eddy'ssecretaryandhadlivedinherhome,felttheneedtobroadcastthetruthshehadlearnedfromMrs.Eddyinherhome,theBoardofDirectorscomplainedthathisactivitieswerenot"authorized"bythem.Inotherwords,hehadn't"gotalicense,"Carpenter,Sr.,pointedoutthatMrs.EddyhadgivenhimhisdegreeofC.S.B.anddeclaredhewouldcontinuetomakehisobservationsavailabletothepublicasheandthepublicsawfit.TheDirectors,however,insistedthatMrs.Eddy'shavingconferredonhimthedegreeofC.S.B.didn'tautomaticallyincludetherighttoteach.

WhentheelderCarpentercontinuedwithhisteachingactivitiestheDirectorsremovedhispractitioner'scardfromTheChristianScienceJournal,strippinghimofamajorsourceofhislivelihood.WhenGilbert,Jr.,whodidhaveaBoston-recognizedlicensetoteach,expressedsupportforhisfatherhewassuspendedfrom"teaching"forthreeyears(furtherdeprivingtheCarpentersoftheirmeagermeansofsubsistence).Gilbertwasneverreinstated;andthelocalchurchauthoritiesinProvidence,beingnomoreenlightenedthanthoseinBoston,followedBoston'sleadinostracizingtheCarpenters.

BravelytheCarpentersstruggledon.ByconvincingtheBostonauthoritiesthatonlythosewhowereadvancedenoughforthesepublicationswouldbeallowedtohavethem,theCarpentersmanagedtoavoidexcommunicationandentanglementwithBoston's"legalarm."MeanwhileGilbert,Jr.,waswidelycirculating,privately,thesetreasuresofinestimablespiritualvaluetogenuinestudentsofChristianScience.Thus,theFieldwasblessedwithanunheraldedcirculationofitemsfromwhatbecameknownasthe"CarpenterFoundation."TheseincludedpersonalobservationsaboutMrs.Eddy,herteachingsandintentions(which,bytheway,oftenrevealedfarmoreabouttheobserverthanabouttheRevelatorofChristianScience.)

TheDirectorsinBostontoleratedthesepersonalglimpsesofMrs.Eddy,andthenvirtuallyendorsedmanyofthemwhentheygatheredthemintoofficialbiographies--RobertPeelinhisbooksdrewheavilyontheCarpentercollection.ButmuchofthematerialhasbeenburiedbythechurchbecauseitcontainedMrs.Eddy'swritteninstructionsanddivinewarningsabouttheunscientificdirectionchurchauthoritiesweretaking.WhenitwastheBoardofDirectors'ownpositionwhichwascalledinquestion,itwasheresywhichmustbesuppressedbyanymeans.BetesnoiresthattroubledtheDirectorsweretheJohnsonHistoryofChristianScienceandtheCarpenters'MaryBakerEddy,HerSpiritualPrecepts.ThesebookscontaineddocumentedexamplesofhowMrs.Eddykeptmakingitplainto"infantsinChristianScience"thatherchurchwasthemanifestationofdivinePrincipleandhadnothingtodowithmaterialorganizationandpersonaldecisions;andmakingplainalsothedireconsequencesofcontinuedorganization.TheBoardfeltcompelledtosuppresstheseoutspokenwarningswhichevokeddireforecastsoftheruinouseffectsofcontinuedorganization.

"Fearistheweaponinthehandoftyrants,"andGilbert,Jr.,wasledtofearlegalactionifhecirculated"private"messagesconcerningtheBoardofDirectorswhichmightcastdoubtontheBoard'sclaimtobeworthyasMrs.Eddy'ssuccessor.Gilbertthereforementionednothingofcopieswhichweresomehoworotherincirculation.Accordingly,inGod'sgoodtime,theJohnsonHistoryreachedthepublicdomain,andMaryBakerEddy,HerSpiritualPrecepts(neversubjectedtocopyright)reachedandwassoldontheopenmarketin1966(bytheestateofaladyinTexas).

GilbertCarpenter,Jr.,waswellawareofwhatwouldhappentohisFoundationwhenhewasnolongerhere.HiscryofanguishwasheardbyoneRichardOakesresidinginSouthAfrica.GilbertarrangedforRichardtoobtainthematerialwhichisnowavailablefromRareBookCompanyinthe"RedandBluebooks"ThefullstrengthofthelegalarmwastheninvokedagainstOakes,thecompilerofthese"RedandBluebooks"(EssaysandOtherFootprints,andDivinityCourseandGeneralCollectanea).AftermanyyearsofharassmentallthatthelegalarmachievedwastorescueOakes,thecompiler,frompersonalresponsibilityforthebooks.Whenthelawwaspersuadedtostophimputtingoutthebooks,RalphGeradi(RareBookCompany)steppedinaspublisher,andthebooksremainedinGod'shands.TheCourtneverdisputedthatthebookswereinthepublicdomainanyway.TheCourtalsoagreed(May1975)thattheuncopyrighteditems,acquiredwithoutrestrictionsbyaladyinTexas,couldnotbeincludedinitemstheCarpenterFoundationusurpersthoughttheywereburying.

NopersoncandecidewhatGodhasinstoreforHisown.ThisiscauseforjoyandconfidenceonthepartofGod's"remnant"-thosewholooktodivinePrincipleastheonlygovernoroftheuniverse.

THEDICKEY"MEMOIRS"

BeforeleavingthesubjectofTheMotherChurcharchives,awordaboutthe"Dickey"bookwhichhasjustrecentlybeeninthelimelight,astheBostonBoardofDirectors'legalarmagainreachedoutandsoughttostemitsfurtherdistribution.ThisbookcametobewrittenbecauseonAugust25,1908,approximatelytwoandahalfyearsbeforeMrs.Eddyleftus,shecalledAdamDickeytohersideandaskedhimtopromisethatifsheeverlefthere,hewouldwriteahistoryofhisexperienceswhilelivinginherhomeashersecretary.

Forsixteenyearsheneglectedtokeephispromise,becausehewasengrossedinthelawsuits(whichareasubjectofthisbook;hewasoneoftheDirectorsbeingsuedbythePublishingSociety,andwhointurnsuedthePublishingSociety).

"Butwhenhefelthislastillnessuponhim,hetookpeninhand.Hedidnotlivetofinishhisstory,buthecompletedonehundredandforty-onepageswhichwerepublishedinbookformbyhiswidowin1927,theyearafterhisdeath.ThecopiesweredistributedchieflyamongthemembersofanassociationofDickey'spupils.

"Butwhenthe[BostonBoardof]Directorsreadthebook,withitsintimatedetails,their'astonishment'theysaid,'wasgreatbeyondexpression."

Aworkofthiskindmustbesuppressedatonce!TheBoardsentalettertoeverymemberoftheDickeyassociationrequestingthatthecopiesbereturned.Intheirlettertheysaid:

"'WefoundthatagravemistakewasmadebyMrs.DickeyinpublishingthebookwithoutdirectinstructionsfromourLeader,forevenMr.Dickeyhimselfdoesnotclaimthathewasauthorizedtopublish,butmerelytowrite,ahistory....InestimatingthepurportoftherequestwhichMr.Dickeyrecites...itisnecessarytoconsiderthatshewasthencontendingwithanacutephysicalclaim....

"'IthasbeenmaintainedthatMrs.Eddy'srequestthatMr.Dickeywritea"historyofhisexperiences"wouldhavebeenfullycompliedwithhadhedepositedhiswritings,relatingtoher,forpreservationinthefilesofTheMotherChurch."

Likeaflockofsheep,nearlyalltherecipientsofthisletterreturnedtheircopiestotheBostonheadquarterswheretheywerepromptlydestroyed.ButtherewerestillthecopyrightcopiesintheLibraryofCongress,andafew Photostatted copieselsewhere.AnditissaidthatwithinfiveyearsfiftythousandpeoplewerereadingAdamDickeyswords.Itisnotsoeasytodoawaywithabook;"traditionmaybestrong,butinthelongrunTruthisstronger."

Thispolicyof"authorized"literatureisindirectoppositiontoeverythingMrs.Eddytaught.Mrs.EddyfreedeveryChristianScientistnotonlytoreadwhatGodleadshimtoread,butalsotowriteonthesubjectofChristianSciencewhatGodleadshimtowrite."ChristianScienceisnotcopyrighted."Shesaid,"AstudentcanwritevoluminousworksonSciencewithouttrespassing,ifhewriteshonestly,andhecannotdishonestlycomposeChristianScience."

Materialorganizationrapidlydevelopsafrozencrustofritual,rules,regulationsanddogmas,arrestingthespirit,impedinginspiration,andprecludingunfoldment.Manyinstancescouldbecitedwhereinspiredwritingandteachinghavebeensuppressedinthenameof"keepingthedoctrine'pure."Underthisecclesiasticalpolicy,writingandteaching,howeverscientificallytrue,isbrandedas"incorrect"ifitisnotsanctionedbytheBoardofDirectors.

THESECONDCHURCHORGANIZATION

EventhoughunprecedentedspiritualprogresswasbeingmadeafterMrs.EddydissolvedthefirstchurchorganizationinBostonin1889,herstudentsbegantoclamorforasecondorganization.LettersanddocumentsextantshowMrs.Eddy'sunalterableoppositiontoreorganizing.InaMarch23,1891letterMrs.EddywarnedtheBoardofDirectorsthattheironlydangernowlayinthepastbeingrepeated.SheremindedthemthatallshehadcounseledhadworkedwellfortheCauseandchurch.Sheadmonishedthemtowatch.Thehourisominous,shesaid,whenastudent"goesagainstmyadviceandstillgivesordersinmyname."Thensherebukedthemforreportingthatshehadgivenorderstoorganizewhenshehadnot.

Alsosheagainrepeatedthattheyshouldnotchangetheirpresentmateriallydisorganizedchurch,butweretogooninspiritualorganizationalone.

MuchcanbelearnedconcerningMrs.Eddy'smistrustandoppositiontocontinuedorganizationfromlettersshehadwrittentoherstudentsin1889atthetimeofdissolvingthefirstorganization:Thestudentswereagaincalled,shewrote,toaccept,withoutapresentunderstanding,themarkedprovidenceofGod.QuotingJesus,shesaid,"WhatIdothouknowestnotnow,butthoushaltknowhereafter."SheurgedherfollowerstotrustGodinthis"unlooked-forevent"andHewouldsoonerorlatershowthemthewisdomofdisorganizing.ShetoldthemthatforthepasttwoyearsthischangehadseemedtohertheimperativedemandofChristianScienceinconsonancewiththeexampleofChristJesus.

ThenonNovember23,1889,shewroteherstudentsthatthismorninghadfinishedher"haltingbetweentwoopinions,"andshehaddefinitelyreachedthedecisionthat"thisMotherChurchmustdisorganize,"Nowwasthetimetodoit,shesaid.Shecounseledthemtoformnoneworganization,buttogoforwardinspiritualorganizationalone.

SheurgedthemtofollowJesus'exampleandnottheexampleofhisdisciples.WhatthedisciplesorganizedhascometonaughtinScience.ShesaidChristianScienceshouldestablishScience,notmaterialorganization.

Mrs.Eddysawthatthehourhadcomewhenthegreatneedwasformoreofthespiritinsteadoftheletter,andthatScienceandHealthisadaptedtoworkthisresult.InclosingherMetaphysicalCollegeshestated"ThefundamentalprincipleforgrowthinChristianScienceisspiritualformation,first,last,andalways,whileinhumangrowthmaterialorganizationisfirst."Thenshecounseled,"BecauseitismoreinaccordwithChristianScienceforyoutouniteonthebasisofLoveandmeettogetherinbondsofaffection,fromunselfishmotivesandthepurposetobenefiteachother,andhonortheCause...Istronglyrecommendthismethodalone,ofcontinuingwithoutorganization."15a

Scarcelytwoyearshadelapsedsincethedissolvingofthefirstorganization.Itwasnow1892andMrs.Eddy'sstudentswerepressinghardforasecondorganization.Mrs.Eddystronglywarnedagainstreorganizing.Sheinsistedtheirmovetodothiswas"notofGod"andthatonlyharmcouldcomefromreturningtoapositionoutgrown.

ShecarefullyexplainedtotheclerkofTheMotherChurch,WilliamB.Johnson,thatshehoped"awordtothewisewouldbesufficient,hencemycaution....Ifyouorganizeagain,"shesaid,"itwillruintheprosperityofourchurch."Shesaidshehadgivenfullpermission,orherpoorconsentforthechurchtodoanythingshechooses."ButItellyoutheconsequencesofreorganizationandyouwillfindIamright.Opentheeyesofthechurchtothesefacts.Ihaveconsentedtowhateverthechurchpleasestodo,forIamnotherkeeper,andifsheagainsellsherprosperityforamessofpottageitisnotmyfault."

AtanothertimeshesharplywarnedthechurchDirectorsthatwhiletheyhadherpermissiontoreorganizeiftheydesiredtodothis,yetsherealizeditwasherdutytosaythat"ourheavenlyFather'shandwasseeninyourdisorganizing,andIforeseethatifyoureorganizeyouareliabletoloseyourpresentprosperityandyourformofchurchgovernment,whichsofarhasproveditselfwiseandprofitable...."

Whentheycontinuedinsistinguponreorganization,Mrs.EddytrenchantlywarnedthatsheheardsoplainlythewordsthattoldhershehadbeendoingtoomuchforthechurchinBoston,morethanitwasherdutytodo.So,shesaid,"Let...thechurchreorganizeifshethinksbest.Perhapsthisisthebestlessonforher...Godtestsusall-triesusonourweakestpoints.HershasalwaysbeentoyieldtotheinfluenceofmanandnotGod.Nowletherpassontoherlastexperienceandthesoonerthebetter.Whenwewillnotlearninanyotherway,thisisGod'sorderofteachingus.Hisrodalonewilldoit,andIamatlastwillingandwillstrugglenomore."15b

"Itisonlyaquestionoftime,'shewrote,"whenGodshallrevealhisrodandshowtheplanofbattle."16God'splanisspiritualorganization.

Writingaboutreorganizingasecondtimeandreflectingonthedeterminedpushofherstudentstodothis,Mrs.Eddyfirstmentionsthe"newlight"thatbrokeinastheresultofdissolvingallmaterialorganization,andthenadded,"Afterthisexperienceandthedivinepurposeisfulfilledinthesechangingscenes,thisChurchmayfinditwisdomtoorganizeasecondtimeforthecompletionofitshistory[theirhistory,thestudents'history].This,however,islefttotheprovidenceofGod."AllrecordsshowMrs.Eddywasunalterablyopposedtotheformingofasecondorganization,butknewshecouldnotlegislatefreedomanddecontrol.Whenitwasclearthatherstudentswerenotyetreadyforahigherstep,sheaccepteditasher"cross,"andhopeditwouldbeastepontheroadleadingtothe"ChurchUniversalandTriumphant"thatChurchwhichexistsinconsciousnessaloneasthe"structureofTruthandLove."

So,trustingintheassurancethatdivineLovewouldeventuallyforceeachonetoacceptwhatwouldbestpromotehisgrowth,Mrs.EddydirectedtwelveofherstudentstomeetonSeptember23rd,1892,andformtheorganizationasa"sufferittobesonow"contingency.ItishighlysignificantthatMrs.Eddyherselfwasnotpresentatthismeeting,andoneofthetwelvestudents(EllenClark)wasabsent.AnewbookbyRichardOakesgivesacomprehensivestoryofGod'sdispensationwherebytwelveofMrs.Eddy'sstudentswereableto"organize"achurch,andyetbetoldbyMrs.Eddy(inalettertooneofthetwelve,datedSeptember21,1892):"Youorganizenospecialorganizationbywhichtoobtainacharter,butonlyforthepurposeofhavingaPresidentofyourmeetingandSecretaryinordertovoteonreceivingmembers."

Asexplainedonpage130oftheChurchManual,MassachusettslawpermittedtheDirectorstobeabodycorporateforthepurposeofholdingchurchfundswithoutorganizingacorporatechurch.TheirdutywastoselectapastorwhowouldnotdeviatefromtheprinciplesofChristianScienceaslaiddowninScienceandHealth.ThisrequirementwaslaterobviatedbytheordinationoftheBibleandScienceandHealthastheperpetualpastor.ThedutyofthetwelveFirstmembers(laterincreasedtoforty,laterrenamedExecutivemembers,laterdisbanded)wastovotetrimestriallyonadmissionofmembers(whohadnosayinthechurch"organization")andannuallyontheofficerstoconductmeetingsandattendtobusinessmatterswithoutanysayintheappointmentofthepastor,orintheframingoftherules,whichdevelopedfromsevenpurelyproceduralregulationsintoMrs.Eddy'sManual.Thusthestatementthatstudentsmettoreorganizethechurchandadoptrulesisapalliativeforsayingtheyreallyorganizednothingatall,andwhenthisisseenMrs.Eddy'schurchisreconveyed"toMaryBakerG.Eddy,herheirsandassignsforeverbyaproperdeedofconveyance."

Mrs.Eddywasdeterminedthatanysemblanceofmaterialorganizationshouldlastonlyaslongasshewaspersonallywiththemtoguideandcontrolit,whichshedidwithafirmhand.LikeJesus,Mrs.EddylistenedonlytothevoiceofGod.IneverythingshedidshewasguidedbyGod.Whileshepersonallygovernedthechurchitgrewinpowerandstaturebecauseofherspirituality.Herwholedemonstrationshowedthatshewasnotactingasaperson,butwasatalltimesrespondingtoanddemonstratingGod'sman/woman.Heronlysuccessorwouldbe"manintheimageandlikenessoftheFather-MotherGod,manthegenerictermformankind."

MRS.EDDY'STHEOCRATICGOVERNMENT

WhenthechurchmembersandtheBoardofthenewlyformedsecondorganizationaskedMrs.Eddytoprovidethemwithspecificwrittenrulesforgoverningtheirchurch,theywereineffectacknowledgingMrs.Eddy'ssupremeauthorityandwererelinquishingtheirindependentdemocraticstatus.TheyadoptedatheocraticspiritualgovernmentwithMrs.EddyoccupyingtheunquestionedpositionofLeader.They"reorganizedunderherjurisdiction"(Man.18:15,HistoricalSketch).

TheBy-LawspreparedbyMrs.Eddywereadopted.ThisactconstitutedthelayingdownoftheessentiallydemocraticgovernmentinexchangeforatheocraticspiritualgovernmentunderthejurisdictionoftheChrist,manifestedbyMaryBakerEddy.Earlymembers,inrecognizingMrs.Eddy'sabsoluteauthorityinallchurchmatters,beganreferringtothechurchas"Mother'sChurch."OnlylaterwasitcalledTheMotherChurch.

ItcannotbedeniedthatoncethechurchhadrelinquisheditsowndemocraticwillandhadsubordinateditselftotheauthorityofMrs.Eddy,itdidfunctionasaMotherChurch,inasmuchastheentireMovementwasbeinglovedandnourishedbytheChrist-mentalityofMaryBakerEddy.TheBy-Lawsinthe88ManualsissuedbyMrs.Eddy"wereimpelledbyapowernotone'sown"theywereimpelledbytheChrist-Mindshereflected.

InmakingtheBy-LawsMrs.Eddyworkedtogetthedivineleading.Shethenunhesitatinglyfollowedthatleadingregardlessofwhatthehumanreactiontoitmightbe.TheBoardofDirectorssometimesbalkedattheseBy-Laws,andaftershepassedontheyresortedtolegalmeasuresinordertocircumventandannulherBy-Laws.

Mrs.EddyusedestoppelclausesintheManualbecausesheknewthattoplaceenactmentsofholyinspirationinthehandsofgroupsofindividuals,suchasherBoardofDirectors,wastoincurthepossibilityofthedivineideabeinglostsightofandhumanwisdomtakingitsplace.

Mrs.EddywantedtheMovementfreetoexpandanddevelopinfinitelyunderthespiritualguidanceoftheoneinfiniteMindasitrevealsitselfinourtextbook,ScienceandHealth.ButtheBoardofDirectorsin1910hadnotattainedthisloftylevelofspiritualunderstanding,andtheydidnotseethedangersinherentinmaterialorganization.

DuringthelastfewyearsMrs.Eddyspentonearth,theBoardofDirectorsonseveraloccasionsurgedhertoeitherdeletetheestoppelclausesorwriteatransferalclauseintheManualdesignatingtheBoardofDirectorsashersuccessor-assigningandtransmittingherauthoritytothem.ButMrs.Eddyyieldedtonopressure,firmlyinsistingtheestoppelshadbeendictatedbyGodandmustremaintoprohibiteternallyallcentralizedcontrol.

AmongtheitemspreservedbytheCarpenterFoundationinProvidence,R.I.,isanaccountbyMrs.(Warren)MabelE.Brill,atonetimeBicknellYoung'ssecretary.Mrs.BrillstatesthatjustayearbeforeMrs.EddyleftustheBoardofDirectorsrealizedtheprecarioussituationtheestoppelclausesintheChurchManualposedforthemandtheirpositionswhenMrs.EddywouldnolongerbepresenttofulfilltherequirementsoftheBy-Laws.Thus,statesMrs.Brill,theDirectorsmaderepeatedunsuccessfulattemptstohaveMrs.EddydeletetheseestoppelsorwriteanadditionalBy-LawtransferringherauthoritytotheBoardwhenshewasnolongerhere.Mrs.EddysteadfastlymaintainedthattheestoppelclauseswereGod-impelledandmustthereforeremain.ShetoldherDirectorsthatsheunderstoodGodshowedherhowtowritetheBy-Laws,includingtheestoppelclauses,andthatshehadnorightandnodesiretochangewhatGodhaddictatedtoher.

FrustratedbytheirfailuretopersuadeMrs.EddytochangehermindandconsequentlyherManual,theBoardarrivedataplan.TheyknewofMrs.Eddy'shighregardforhertrustedfriend,GeneralFrankStreeter,anattorney.GeneralStreeterhad,throughdiligentstudy,acquiredagoodgraspoftheteachingsofChristianScience.HisgreatdesirewastorepresentandserveMrs.Eddyinframingthelegalinstrumentsshe,fromtimetotime,calleduponhimtoprepare.Heearnedhertrustandconfidencenotonlybecausehewasacapablelawyer,butevenmorebecausehewasabletocatchthespiritofherwishes.

TheDirectors'planwastoengageGeneralStreeterunderaprivatefinancialagreementtoapproachMrs.Eddyasthoughactingentirelyonhisowninitiativeandvolition.HewastoimpressuponhertheperilousstateofaffairstheMovementwouldbeleftinifsherefusedtowriteatransferalclauseconveyingherauthoritytotheBoardofDirectors.Additionally,hewastoofferhisassistanceinthedraftingofthistransferalclausewhichtheDirectorssoeagerlydesired.

WhileonhiswaytoseeMrs.Eddy,GeneralStreetersuddenlybecameawareoftherealmotivebackoftheDirectors'plan.WhenheenteredMrs.Eddy'sstudy,heimmediatelydivulgedtohertheentireschemetheDirectorshadtriedtoinvolvehimin.ThefollowingafternoonMrs.EddydictatedtoCalvinFryetheManualBy-Law,p.70,whichreads:"PastorEmeritustobeConsulted.Sect.18.TheMotherChurchshallnotmakeachurchBy-Law,norenterintoabusinesstransactionwithaChristianScientistintheemployofRev.MaryBakerEddy,withoutfirstconsultingheronsaidsubjectandadheringstrictlytoheradvicethereon."ThisBy-Lawappearedinthe83rdManual,thelastofnineManualstoappearin1909.

ManyinhighplacesintheChristianScienceMovementfelttheestoppelsintheManualshouldbeobeyed.NotableamongthesewasMr.FrederickDixon,aChristianScienceteacher,whohadbeensummonedfromLondonatMrs.Eddy'srequesttobecomeeditor-in-chiefofTheChristianScienceMonitor.(Helaterbecameeditor-in-chiefofallchurchperiodicals.)

ShortlyafterMrs.Eddy'sdepartureDirectorArchibaldMcClellaninsistedtoDixonthatiftheBoardofDirectorshadnottakenpromptactiontoignoretheestoppelsandproclaimthatMrs.EddyhadleftinstructionsthattheBoardwastoruntheMovement,thewholethingwouldhavecollapsed.Hestateditwastheirpromptactionthat"saved"theMovementfrombeingdecentralizedatMrs.Eddy'spassing.

Mr.DixonwantednopartofthisdisobediencetoMrs.Eddy'sestoppels.HeisreportedtohavereasonedthatMrs.EddyestablishedthePublishingSocietylegally,grantingitaperpetualDeedofTrust.ShealsoprovidedlegallyforthecontinuationofthelocalBostonChurch,TheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,throughhertwoDeedsofTrustintheManual,pp.128-138.IfshehadwantedTheMotherChurchtocontinueshecouldhavesoprovidedlegally,insteadofinserting26ormoreestoppelclausesintheManualtopreventitscontinuation.WhenDixonwasunabletopersuadetheDirectorstohispointofview,heresigned.InhisletterofresignationfromTheMotherChurchhesaid,

ObediencetoMrs.EddycanonlybeachievedbydissolvingthematerialorganizationofTheMotherChurch.Thespiritualreality[ofTheMotherChurch]is,ofcourse,indestructible.

WheremanyChristianScientistsareundertheimpressionthatMrs.Eddyestablishedamaterialorganization,Dixonsawherrealestablishmentwas"thestructureofTruthandLove;whateverrestsuponandproceedsfromdivinePrinciple."ThisspiritualconceptsupplantstheconceptofmembershipinamaterialorganizationandobediencetoconstitutedauthorityratherthantoPrinciple.

REPORTOFTHECOMMITTEEONGENERALWELFARE

Mr.Dixonwasjoinedbyanumberofotherupper-echelonChristianScientists.Andbeforeproceedingwithourdetailedanalysisoftheentiresituation,letusreviewbrieflytwooftheothernumerousattemptstopointoutthedangersofdisobediencetoMrs.Eddy'sestoppels.WewillfirstreviewthefamousReporttotheMembersofTheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,inBoston,Massachusetts(sponsoredbytheChristianScienceBoardofDirectors),andthentakeupthecelebratedcaseofJohnWDoorlyofLondon.ThefindingsandrecommendationsoftheprestigiousCommitteeonGeneralWelfarewascompletedMarch3,1920,andcopyrightedbyRichardPVerrallandMarthaW.Wilcox.

TheBoard'sfailuretoaccepttheCommittee'srecommendationseventuallyledtotheexcommunicationoftheforemostthinkersintheChristianScienceMovement,notablysuchworld-famousleadersasHerbertEustace,AliceOrgain,JohnDoorly,PeterRoss,and LaurenceSinton.BicknellYoungsomehowescapedexcommunication,buthisone-timesecretary,MargaretLaird,whobecameworld-famousinherownname,particularlyasahealeranddemonstratoroftheTruthshetaught,wasnotsparedexcommunication.

TheReportoftheCommitteeonGeneralWelfarewaseagerlyawaited.Itmustberememberedthatthiswasatthetimeofthe"greatliteraturelitigation,"andtheBoard,inauthorizingthisCommittee,nodoubtexpectedaReportfavorabletothemselves.TheCommitteewaschairedbythehighlyhonoredandinfluentialMarthaW.Wilcox,CSB,ateacherofChristianSciencewhohadlivedinMrs.Eddy'shome,andbyRichardP.Verrall,CSB.

HereinessencearesomeofthefindingsandrecommendationsofthisCommittee:

*ThediscoveryofChristianSciencebyMaryBakerEddyintheyear1866,wasfollowedbyanewandmorespiritualdefinitionoftheword"Church"asfoundintheGlossary,page583,ofScienceandHealth.

*Duringthefirstfewyearsafterherdiscovery,Mrs.EddyherselfwasthechiefvisiblemanifestationofthisChurch,for,inthewordsofthedefinitionofChurch,Mrs.Eddy,aboveallothers,was"foundelevatingtherace,rousingthedormantunderstandingfrommaterialbeliefstotheapprehensionofspiritualideasandthedemonstrationofdivineScience,therebycastingoutdevils,orerror,andhealingthesick."Mrs.EddylivedwhatshetaughtandthisattractedotherstoChristianScience.

*Inthespringof1879,thirteenyearsafterherdiscovery,Mrs.EddyunitedwithalittlebandtoformachurchtoreviveprimitiveChristianhealing.Afteraten-yearstruggle,thisfirstchurchorganizationwasdissolved,in1889.

*OnSeptember23,1892,asecondorganizationwasformedinwhichMrs.Eddyretainedforherself,duringitseighteen-yearhistory,somethirtyreservationsofauthority,whichhavebecomeknownasestoppelclauses.UponthedemiseofMrs.Eddytheseestoppelswouldbringtoahaltallcentralizedcontrol,andbegintheusheringinofheronlyrealsuccessor,namely,thespiritualizedconsciousness,ormanintheimageandlikenessoftheFather-MotherGod.Onpage9oftheReportoftheCommitteeonGeneralWelfarewereadthatitisevident"theManualhaddefinitelydeterminedthelimitation[throughitsestoppelclauses]oftheBoard'spowers,anditisgenerallyconcededthatnoamendmentsshallbemadetotheChurchManual."Furthermore,nearlytenyearsbeforethis,Mrs.Eddyhad,withcharacteristicforesightandwisdom,providedforhersuccessor,whenshewroteinMiscellany,page346:29:

ScienceandHealthmakesitplaintoallChristianScientiststhatthemanhoodandwomanhoodofGodhavealreadybeenrevealedinadegreethroughChristJesusandChristianScience,Histwowitnesses.Whatremainstoleadonthecenturiesandrevealmysuccessor,ismanintheimageandlikenessoftheFather-MotherGod,manthegenerictermforallmankind[theperfectman].

The"perfectman"isthatcompoundedspiritualindividualitywhichreflectsGodasFather-Mother,astwoindividualnaturesinone.Aswegainthisinsightofwhatmanreallyiswelosethesenseofcorporealbeing.Writingofthisperfectmanonpage577ofScienceandHealth,Mrs.Eddysays,"Inthisdivinelyunitedspiritualconsciousness,thereisnoimpedimenttoeternalbliss,--totheperfectibilityofGod'screation."Onpage57ofScienceandHealthMrs.Eddystates,"Unionofthemasculineandfemininequalitiesconstitutescompleteness."

TheCommitteeonGeneralWelfaresawthispropheticutteranceasthekeytothequestionofMrs.Eddy'srightfulandlegitimatesuccessor,sinceitenunciatesthePrincipleuponwhichthegovernmentofTheMotherChurchcouldfulfilltheMagnaChartaofChristianScience,andproveitself"essentiallydemocratic,itsgovernment[being]administeredbythecommonconsentofthegoverned,whereinandwherebymangovernedbyhiscreatorisself-governed."

*TheCommitteecouldseethatthisMagnaChartaofChristianScience,liketheDeclarationofIndependence,hasbeenrealizedinhumanexperienceonlyonestepatatime.Thus,duringtheperiodofMrs.Eddy'spersonalleadershipshepromulgatednewBy-Laws,introducedreforms,andestablishednewagenciesonlyasherfollowersadvancedinunderstandingsufficientlytobeabletoobeyandsupportthem.

*Mrs.Eddy'svisionextendedfarbeyondthevisibleorganization,andinher"MagnaCharta"andher"DeclarationofIndependence"shedepictedheridealchurch.

*EverysteptowardtheequalizationoftheresponsibilitiesandhonorsinchurchgovernmentisthereforeastepnearertothefulfillmentofMrs.Eddy'sidealoftheChristPrinciple:

ForthisPrinciplethereisnodynasty,noecclesiasticalmonopoly....Itsonlypriestisthespiritualizedman.

*Inthistruegovernmenteachindividualhasimmortalsovereignty.

*Onpage9oftheReport,wefindthatwhathinderstheprogressofacceptingthisimmortalsovereigntyisthatelementinhumannaturewhichcriesout:"Nay,butwewillhaveakingoverus!Theservileelementinhumanconsciousnessrespondstothesuggestionthatitiseasiertorelyonsomeoneelsewhoapparentlyhasgreaterabilityandauthority.Tothinkoutandworkoutone'sownsalvationrequiresmoreeffortthanmanycaretomake.Thedependenceuponpersonalcontrolandthedispositiontotakeadvantageofit,allthewayfromanindividualtoanorganization,isaformofidolatryinsofarasitlimitsdependenceupondivinepower.Andtherearealwayspersonsquicktotakeadvantageofthisdependencytraitandassume"thedivinerightofkings"rule.

*Inproportionasthesehumannegativetraitsareovercome,willthat"man,"referredtobyMrs.Eddy,whoisto"leadonthecenturiesandreveal[her]successor,"appear.

*ItisthedestinyofChristianSciencetoshowtotheworldthatmankindcannotbedeprivedofitsrighttothink.

*TheCommitteeonGeneralWelfarefoundconsiderablesentimentintheChristianScienceFielddecryingtheDirectors'assumptionthattheManualBy-LawsplacedthedirectionofthespiritualandbusinessaffairsoftheChurchinthehandsoftheChristianScienceBoardofDirectors.TheCommitteefoundaconsensusthattheestoppelclausesshouldbeobeyed--inotherwordsthatthosereservationsofauthorityretainedbyMrs.Eddyforherself,throughheruseoftheestoppelclauses,passedlegitimatelytohertruesuccessorasnamedinherstatementonpage347:2ofMiscellany.Theresherefersto"manintheimageandlikenessoftheFather-MotherGod,manthegenerictermformankind"asheronlysuccessor.

*TheCommitteeaverredthattherecognitionofMrs.Eddy'ssuccessor(astheGod-likeman)wasofparamountimportancebecauseitsuppliesthatpotentialauthoritywithoutwhichneitherthespiritualnorthebusinessaffairsoftheChurchcanbeproperlyadministered.ThismeansthatthespiritualizinginfluenceexertedbyMrs.Eddy'steachingsuponthegeneralhumanconsciousnessconstitutesamoralforcethatcan'tbemeasured.Whatmustbeindividuallydemonstratedisthetruenatureofman.ThistruenatureisMrs.Eddy'ssuccessor,andshouldberecognizedasthegreatimpersonalLeaderoftheChristianScienceMovement.

ThisspirituallyuniqueReportoftheCommitteeonGeneralWelfaredidnotsupportthepositionoftheBoardofDirectors,anditwasthereforequietlysuppressed.Comfortablyensconcedintheirpositionofprestige,power,andauthority,theirinclinationwastowardmorenotless,control.

THEHERESYTRIALOFJOHNW.DOORLY

JohnW.DoorlyofLondon,England,wasanoutstandingChristianSciencepractitioner,teacher,andlecturer,whohadatonetimeservedasPresidentofTheMotherChurch.Hehadanaturalproclivityforscientificresearch,andasaresultofhisforty-yeardedicatedstudyofMaryBakerEddy'swritings,hebegantocomprehendthesystemMrs.Eddyhadembodiedinthetextbook,andtoglimpsethepureScienceofChristianScience.Elatedwiththeresultsofhisresearch,whichhadculminatedingreatnewinsightsintothetextbook,DoorlybeganholdingregularmeetingstocommunicatehisfindingstohisstudentsandotherinterestedChristianScientists.WhennewsofthistypeofindependentthinkingreachedBostonanordealofrelentlesspersecutionbeganforMr.Doorly.Hewasfacedwithcountlesscharges,manyofthemscarcelytobedistinguishedfromgossip.

Mr.Doorly'sattemptstoexplainthe"system"andthepureSciencehesawinthetextbookonlybroughtfurtherchargesofimproprieties--infractionsandviolationsofChurchManualBy-Laws.EachletterimperiouslyimpliedthattheBoardofDirectorswasthefinalauthorityintheinterpretationoftheChristianSciencetextbook.NoideasweretobeadvancedthathadnotbeensettleduponascorrectduringMrs.Eddy'slifetime.

TheirpersistentharassmentledMr.DoorlytowritetheBoardonNovember7,1946:"Your...mistakenpolicyhasdistortedourLeader's'mother'governmentintooneofthemostdespoticoligarchiesourworldhaseverknown."

InmakingthedecisiontopublishandcircularizeabookletofhisunderstandingofMaryBakerEddy'spureScienceofChristianScience,andextractsofcorrespondenceexchangedbetweenhimselfandtheChristianScienceBoardofDirectors,entitledAStatement,Mr.Doorlysaid:

IamtakingthisstepbecauseIamconvinced...thatunlesswemakeadefiniteanddignifiedissue,andaverydecidedissueofthiswholematter,weshallloseagoldenopportunitythatmaynotoccuragainformanyyears.

Mr.DoorlyhopedthatcirculatinghiscorrespondencewiththeBoardofDirectorswouldstimulate,motivate,andimpeltheDirectorstoretracetheirstepsandinthefutureleavechurchmembersalonetodeveloptheirownprogressivesenseofChristianScience.Mr.DoorlywasalsoawarethatrefusingtosubmittotheBostonauthoritiesmightbringinstantexcommunication.

Noonehascontributedmoretothestep-by-stepprogressoutofecclesiasticalbondagethanthegreatandcourageousMr.Doorly,whowasgladtobecountedamongthemanymenandwomenwhohavebeenwillingtobeostracizedanddrivenoutofreligiousorganizationsratherthansubmittothecontrolandrestraintoftheirspiritualvision.

InaletterdatedNovember7,1946,DoorlywrotetheBoard:

...Mrs.Eddywas,inthepurestsense,the'mother'ofherchurch.Shewas,moreover,agreatspiritualgeniuswhoknewthevalueandthedangerofBy-Laws,astheForewordintheManualofTheMotherChurchindicates.Mrs.Eddyretainedforherselfthepowersofappointment,ofdismissal,andinfactthecompletecontrolofherchurchineverywaythroughmanyspecificBy-Laws.Shortlybeforesheleftus,Mrs.EddywasaskedtoamendthoseBy-Lawswhichgavehercompletecontrol,andsheabsolutelyrefusedtodoso.Itmustbeevidenttoanyintelligentindividualthata'mother'government,exercisedandcontrolledbyoneoftheworld'sgreatestthinkersandreligionists,couldnotpossiblybethesamegovernmentwhenthiscontrolisremoved,andthegovernmentislefttoaBoardwhereamateurecclesiasticismandcommercialismmightholdsway...

WithMrs.Eddy'spassing,her'mother'governmentpassedalso,andbecameanimpossibilityforexercisebyanyoneelse.NoonecouldforonemomentbelievethatMaryBakerEddy,whoknewthefallibilityofhumanbeingssowell,wouldcommitherlifeworkintothehandsoffivepeoplewhomshedidnotevenknow.Ifshehaddonethisitwouldhavebeenutterlyunlikeallthatsheevertaught.ThefactisthatMaryBakerEddyleftthefutureofChristianSciencetothespiritualanimusanddevelopmentofherowndemonstrationandthatofmankind.Henceshewrites,"Whatremainstoleadonthecenturiesandrevealmysuccessor,ismanintheimageandlikenessoftheFather-MotherGod,manthegenerictermformankind."

ThismanisrevealedinaspiritualunderstandingoftheChristianSciencetextbookandtheotherwritingsbyMaryBakerEddy.WhentheBostonBoardadvisedDoorlyoftherumorsandreportsconcerninghim,theintrepidDoorlywroteBoston,July4,1942:Yes,"toputitquitefrankly,thewolvesofreligiouspersecutionareinfullbayinLondon,andthetheoryoneveryhandisthatyourBoard-collectivelyorindividually--hasunleashedthem."

Herewasaneminentspiritualthinkerofworldrenown,honoredwiththerespectandfriendshipoftensofthousandsofChristianScientists,suddenlybeingfacedwithexcommunication,onlybecausehehadseendeeperintotheChristianSciencetextbookandwasthefirstofMaryBakerEddy'sdedicatedstudentstodivinelyfathomandbegintoteachthepureScienceofherdiscovery,embodiedinthetextbookandamplifiedinherotherwritings.

OnJuly30,1946,inanswertofurtheraccusationsandthreats,Doorlycountered:

...IfyourBoardimaginesthathonest,intelligent,andprogressivemenandwomenoftodayaregoingtosubmittosuchprocesses,utterlyunworthyofChristianScienceandinconsistentwithordinaryjustice,thenyourBoardismakingamistake.OneindividualwhowenttoBostononamatterofthiskindwrotemeasfollows:

'...Agroupof37ofusfromallovertheUnitedStates,unabletobelievethattheBoardofDirectorswouldplaceourteacheronprobationonhearsayevidencefromoneside,went,ofourownaccord,toseetheBoardandplacethefactsbeforethem.Weweremetinthereceptionroombytheirlegalrepresentativewhoaskedus,whenwetoldhimourmission,ifwewereawarethatwewereapproaching'thehighestecclesiasticalcourtintheland'"OurreplywasthatwehadcometoseeourlovingBoardofDirectors....

Continuinghisletter,Mr.DoorlyagainwarnedtheBoardthatitsregressiveandfalsesenseofChristianSciencewashelpingtheenemydestroyourLeader'slifework.

TheforegoingextractsfromMr.Doorly'sStatementspeakwithclarityandeloquence.TheyportraygraphicallywhathundredsofgenuinededicatedChristianScientistshavefacedwhentheirlivesandcareershavebeentemporarilyblightedbytheshadowoffearcastoverthembytheBostonBoard.Butoncefreedbyexcommunication,thesedoughtyveteransandeminentlydistinguishedhealersrosehigherindemonstrationandusefulnesstothehumanrace.Beyondtherestrictionsoforganizationtheywerefreetowrite,lecture,holdclassesandseminars,andcontinuetheirhealingpractice.

TheworldstandssorelyinneedofadeeperunderstandingoftheGod-inspiredwritingsofMaryBakerEddy.InthenextChapterwewilllookatdocumentswhichrevealthattheChurchManualinnowayconflictswiththetextbook,ScienceandHealth,butinsteadshowsthewayoutofaseemingseventy-yearcaptivitytocentralizedecclesiasticalcontrol.GraduallyitwillbeseenthattheChurchManualisthematrixofthatspiritofMrs.Eddy'sDeclarationofIndependence,andherMagnaCharta,thatliftsmantothepointofascensionwhereorganizedanimatematterisnolongeralegitimatestateofman'sconsciousevolvement.Manwillrealizehisdivinity,held"foreverintherhythmicroundofunfolding[bodiless]bliss,asalivingwitnesstoandperpetualideaofinexhaustiblegood."Becauseofthedeepspiritualsignificancebehindthe"stuffylittleManual"Mrs.EddycouldsaytoastudentthatsheconsideredherManualsecondinimportanceonlytoScienceandHealth.InMiscellanyshewrote,"EternityawaitsourChurchManual."Mrs.Eddysawmaterialhistorydrawingtoaclose.Asshelookedoutonthedawningtwentiethcentury(whichwouldurgeitshighestdemandsonmortals)andsensing"thehumanhatredofTruth,"shewroteofthiscentury's"Godcrownedending-thethresholdonwhichwenowstand:

THOUGod--crowned,patientcentury,

Thinehourhathcome!Eternity

Drawsnigh--and,beckoningfrom

above,

Onehundredyears,aflamewithLove,

Againshallbidoldearthgood-by--

And,lo,thelight!farheavenisnigh!

Newthemesseraphic,Lifedivine,

Andblissthatwipesthetearsoftime

Away,willenter,whentheymay,

Andbaskinoneeternalday.

'Tiswritonearth,onleafandflower:

Lovehathonerace,onerealm,onepower.

DearGod!howgreat,howgoodThouart

Tohealhumanity'ssoreheart;

Toprobethewound,thenpourthebalm--

Alifeperfected,strongandcalm.

Thedarkdomainofpainandsin

Surrenders--Lovedothenterin,

Andpeaceiswon,andlostisvice:

Rightreigns,andbloodwasnotitsprice.

PleasantView,Concord,N.H.,January,1901.

THESUNBURSTTheChristianScienceJournalVol.12

ChapterII

MARYBAKEREDDY'STHREEDEEDSOFTRUST

ANDTHEESTOPPELCLAUSES

Ignorance,subtlety,orfalsecharitydoesnotforeverconcealerror

(S&H.447:12)

FortheyhavehealedthehurtofthedaughterofMypeopleslightly,saying,Peace,peace;whenthereisnopeace.(Jeremiah8:11)

ANUMBERofdocumentswillbediscussedasweproduceourcauseandbringforthourstrongreasons"whyMrs.Eddy'sManualshouldbeobeyedaswritten.AmongthesedocumentsareMrs.Eddy'sWillandtwocodicils,aswellasherDeedofTrustofSeptember1,1892,andherDeedofTrustofMarch19,1903whichconcernthelandforthetwochurchedifices.ThesedocumentscontaininformationvitaltotheChristianScienceMovement,startingwithMrs.Eddy'spassingonDecember3,1910,uptothepresenttime.

AnothervitaldocumentistheDeedofTrustoftheChristianSciencePublishingSociety,datedJanuary25,1898,whichMrs.Eddyestablishedasanentirelyseparateandindependentoperation,withaself-perpetuatingBoardofTrustees.ItwasthisDeedofTrustthatbecamethecenterofconflictbetweentheBoardofDirectorsandthePublishingSocietyTrustees.TheBoardwasobsessedwithtakingoverthemediaofthechurch--theChristianSciencePublishingSociety.TheBoard'sattemptstodictatetotheTrusteesofthePublishingSocietybecameintolerableandledtoalawsuitin1919,whenonMarch25th,1919,thePublishingTrusteesfiledaBillinEquityagainsttheChristianScienceBoardofDirectors.ThepresidingJudgegrantedthePublishingTrusteesaninteriminjunctionwhichcalledfortheBoardofDirectorstoceaseanddesistfromharassingthePublishingTrustees.

TheBoardofDirectorstheninstitutedsuitagainsttheTrusteesofthePublishingSociety.Thiswasthe"secondBillinEquity,"datedApril10,1920.ThesetwoBillsinEquityculminatedin"TheFullBenchDecision"oftheSupremeJudicialCourtofMassachusetts,November23,1921.Thesethreedocumentswillbediscussedinthefollowingtwochapters.

WewillalsoreviewtheCongressionalCopyrightReliefActof1971whichresultedinthecopyrightonall420editionsofScienceandHealthbeingtakenoutofthenameofMaryBakerEddyandvestedintheChristianScienceBoardofDirectors.ThistightenedtheBoard'scontrolofScienceandHealth,makingtheearliereditionsalmostimpossibletoobtain,andthecurrenteditionincreasinglydifficulttopurchase.ItisnowforsaleonlyinChristianScienceReadingRooms,operatedbybranchchurches,andasthesebranchchurchesclose,onebyone,theReadingRoomsalsoclose.

MRS.EDDY'STHREELEGALDOCUMENTS

ANDHERFIRSTANDSECONDCHURCHORGANIZATIONS

Inthepastthedocumentsjustmentionedandtheeventssurroundingthemhavebeendiscussedonlygenerally.Wewillinvestigatedetailsthatweredecisive,andpointouttheerrorscommittedduringthepastseventyyearsthathavecontributedtothedeclineoftheChristianScienceMovement.

TounderstandMrs.Eddy'sthreeDeedsofTrustitisnecessarytodelvebrieflyintoherfirstandsecondchurchorganizations.WewillseethatbyhertwolandDeedsshesanctionedthecontinuanceofthelocalchurchinBoston.ThisisinsharpcontrasttotheestoppelssheplacedintheManualwhichbroughtallcentralcontroltoahaltwhenshewasnolongerpresent.Mrs.Eddy'slegaldocumentscontainingprovisionsforaself-perpetuatingfour-memberBoardofDirectorsforthelocalBostonchurch,andaself-perpetuatingBoardofTrusteesforherPublishingSocietyDeedofTrust,determinedwhatwastocontinueafterherpassing.

AperusalofherMarch19,1903,DeedofTrustshowsthelandwasgrantedontheconditionthattheestoppelclausesintheChurchManualwouldbehonored.Itreads:

ThispropertyisconveyedonthefurthertruststhatnonewTenetorBy-Lawshallbeadopted,noranyTenetorBy-Lawamendedorannulled...

ThefirstchurchorganizationwasformedbyMrs.Eddyandafewstudentsin1879.Itstitlewas:"ChurchofChrist,Scientist."Thisfirstchurchorganizationexisteduntil1889.Itwasacompletelydemocraticoperation.ItexercisednoautocraticcontroloverotherChristianSciencechurches.TheotherchurchesofChrist,Scientist,operatedontheirownwithnointerferencefromMrs.Eddy'sfirstBostonchurch.

Bythelate1880'sMrs.EddyhadconcludedshecoulddothegreatestgoodtothegreatestnumberbygivinghertimetoacompleterevisionofScienceandHealth.Whenshewasnolongerabletogivethechurchthegreatamountoftimeandattentionitobviouslyneeded,thechurchdeterioratedrapidly.Mrs.Eddysawitwastimetogoforwardinspiritualorganizationalone.Thus,onDecember2,1889,thechurchBoardmetandadoptedunanimouslythefollowingresolutionwhichdissolvedthefirstlittle"MotherChurch":

(1)ThatthetimehascomewhenthisChurchshouldfreeitselffromthethraldomofman-madelaws,andriseintospirituallatitudeswherethelawofloveistheonlybondofunion.

4)ThemembersofthisChurchherebydeclarethatthisactionistakeninordertorealizemoreperfectlythepurposeofitsinstitutionasanorganization,namely,growthinspirituallifeandthespreadofthe"gladtidings"--andthattheywillcontinueinaVoluntaryAssociationofChristiansknowingnolawbutthelawofLove,andnoMasterbutChristintheexerciseofalltheministrationsandactivitiesheretoforeperformedasaChurchofChrist,Scientist....

Mrs.Eddyhadreached,beyondcavil,theconvictionthatthedistractionsofmaterialorganizationandceremonyandpersonalambitionarewhatkeeppeoplefromseeingwhatChristianScienceisreallypresenting.HerwholepurposewastodesignaChurch--aspiritualorganization--thatwouldaidmantounderstandGodandhisrelationshiptoGod.MaterialorganizationwastheantithesisofallMrs.Eddyhopedandworkedtoestablish.

Knowingthereweremanywhostillfelttheneedofachurchtoworshipin,Mrs.Eddygavelandonwhichtobuildachurchedificeforthosewhofelttheneedofaplacetoworship.Inspiteofthegreatprosperitythatfollowedthedissolutionofthisfirstorganization,itwasnotlongbeforeMrs.Eddy'sstudentsimportunedhertoformanotherorganization.Peopleusuallydislikebeingdifferent,ofcourse,butforChristianScientiststohaveclungsotenaciouslytochurchgoingseemsanomaloussinceMrs.Eddydiscouragedchurchattendancebyheradvancedstudents.ShewantedthemtorealizemorefullythatGodisomnipresentandnotfoundonlyinchurchservices.

PreservedintheAliceOrgainLibraryisthefollowinginstructionfromMrs.Eddytoherhouseholdonchurchattendance.

Thethoughtoftheadvancedstudentshouldbeturnedawayfromtoomuchchurchattendance.Itisnottolimitbuttobroadentheirviewpoint--tofreetheirthoughtfromasensethatGodistobefoundonlyinchurchservices.Tobesure,attendingchurchisastepinthestudent'sprogress,butifhisconceptofchurchstagnatesatthatpoint,andhisdemonstrationofchurchdoesnotgraduallybroadentocovereverything,thenspiritualgrowthceases,evenwiththemostpunctiliouschurchattendance.

Mrs.EddyknewthataSciencedoesn'tneedachurch.Itneedsonlythewillingnesstostudyandlearn,andthusgrowinspiritualunderstanding.Jesusdidnotorganizeachurch,andtothewomanofSamariawhoinsistedshemustgotothetempletoworship,hesaid,"Thehourcomethandnowis,whenthetrueworshippersshallworshiptheFatherinspiritandintruth:fortheFatherseekethsuchtoworshiphim."ThePhariseesinsistedpeopleshouldworshipinatempleandbegovernedbycertainlaws.IfthepeopleacceptedJesusteaching,therewouldbenoannualduesortithestosupportthetempleandpaythesalariesofthosewhoranit.

LikeJesus,Mrs.Eddy,fromtheverybeginning,sawthat"materialorganizationwarswithLove'sspiritualcompact"andin1889sheirreversiblyreachedtheconclusionthatchurchorganizationshouldbe"laidoff...inordertogainspiritualfreedomandsupremacy."Innootherwaycanthe"ChurchUniversalandTriumphant"(Manualp.19)bereached.

InMaryBakerEddy,HerSpiritualPrecepts,Mr.CarpenterstatesthatMrs.Eddyhadarighttorefertomemberswhohadnotcastouttheoldideaofchurch,as"infantsinChristianScience."Infants,shemaintained,werethosewhothoughtofchurchasanedificewheremengotoworshipahumansenseofGod,ratherthanastateofconsciousnessthatdemonstratesascientificsenseofGood.ThetruesenseofChurchmakesabridgeoverwhichmortalsmaypasstotheinfinite,sothatmortalityisswallowedupinLife.

TodayadeepersenseofwhatChurchreallyisandmeansisemergingandmakingitselffeltonalllevelsofsociety.IngreatnumbersChristianScientistsarefreeingthemselvesfromthecentralizedcontrolofanecclesiasticalhierarchy.TheyareseeingChurchas"thestructureofTruthandLove,"asastateofconsciousnessthateachindividualcancontinuallyabideinandsofindheavenrightwhereheis.WhenthisisspirituallycomprehendeditwillbeseenwhyMrs.Eddy,throughherestoppelclauses,terminatedthefive-memberecclesiasticalBoardofDirectorsandTheMotherChurch.

DEEDSOFTRUSTOF1892AND1903

In1892Mrs.EddyexecutedaDeedofTrustgrantinglandforachurchedifice.ItiscrucialthatthisDeedofTrust,andthesecondDeedofTrustof1903,conveyinglandforanExtensiontothefirstedifice,notbeconfusedwiththesecondorganization.

TheDeedofTrustof1892merelygrantedlandonwhichachurchedificewastobebuilt.TheDeedcontainedelevenprovisions,suchas:

*ThefourgranteesweretobeknownastheChristianScienceBoardofDirectors;theDeednamesthefourDirectors.

*ThesefourDirectorsweretobeaself-perpetuatingbody

*Withinfiveyearstheyweretobuildasuitableandconvenientchurchedifice,electapastor,maintainpublicworshipinaccordancewiththedoctrinesofChristianScience,etc.

*ThecongregationworshippingintheedificewastobecalledTheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist.

*WhenevertheDirectorsdetermineditwasinexpedienttomaintainpublicworshipinthisbuilding,thelotoflandandthebuildingweretobereconveyedtoMaryBakerG.Eddy,herheirs,etc.,byaproperdeedofconveyance.Thechurchcouldbedissolvedatanytime.

*TheDeedwasperpetualandirrevocable.

*ThisDeed(1892)saysnothingaboutanorganizationorabouta"MotherChurch";itsaysnothingaboutbecoming"members"ofanything;itsimplysaysthatthepeoplewhoworshipinthatedifice-thepeoplewhowalkinthedoorandsitintheedifice,namelythe"congregation,'shallbeknownas"TheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist."

DIFFERENCEBETWEEN1892DEEDOFTRUST

ANDSECONDCHURCHORGANIZATION

Thedutiesofthefour-memberBoardunderthe1892Deedwereverylimited.ThisDeedwasMrs.Eddy'svehicleforprovidingtheresidentsofBostonwithanedificeinwhichtoholdchurchservices.ThefourDirectorscouldcontinuetoprovidechurchservicesaslongastherewasanyneedforthem;theydidnotrequireMrs.Eddy'sconsent,approval,presence,orhersignatureinherownhandwritingtocarryonindefinitely.Thiswasinsharpcontrasttothesecondchurchorganization,whichin1892,attheinsistenturgingofherstudents,Mrs.Eddypermittedtobeformed,againstherbetterjudgment.Mrs.EddykeptthissecondchurchorganizationentirelyunderhercontrolthroughmeansofherChurchManual.Itsoperationdependedontheavailabilityofherconsent,approval,presence,orhersignatureinherownhandwriting.TheBoardofDirectorsofthissecondchurchorganization(eventuallytobecomefive(5)innumber)wasnotaself-perpetuatingbodyaswastheBoardundertheDeedofTrustof1892.Thesecondorganizationwasfirstcalled"Mother'sChurch,"andeventuallyitbecameknownasTheMotherChurch.ItisabsolutelyessentialtounderstandthedifferencebetweenTheMotherChurchandwhatwasformedbytheDeedofTrustof1892whichestablishedaBoardoffourDirectorstomaintainaplaceofworshipfortheconvenienceofthepeopleinBoston,foraslongatimeasthatBoarddeemednecessary.ThesamefourmenconstitutingtheBoardundertheDeedofTrustof1892becametheBoardofDirectorsofthesecondchurchorganization.Eventuallyafifthmemberwasadded.Thustheybecameafive-memberBoard,anecclesiasticalBoard,wearingquiteadifferenthatfromthefour-memberBoard-alegalBoardunderthe1892DeedofTrust.