第4章

Eddyisacommonplacename，andwouldhaveanunimpressiveaspectinthelistofthereformedHolyFamily。Shehasthoughtofthat。InthebookofBy-lawswrittenbyher——"impelledbyapowernotone"sown"——thereisaparagraphwhichexplainshowandwhenherdisciplescametoconferatitleuponher；andthisexplanationisfollowedbyawarningastowhatwillhappentoanyfemaleScientistwhoshalldesecrateit：

"ThetitleofMother。ThereforeifastudentofChristianScienceshallapplythistitle，eithertoherselfortoothers，exceptasthetermforkinshipaccordingtotheflesh，itshallberegardedbytheChurchasanindicationofdisrespectfortheirPastorEmeritus，andunfitnesstobeamemberoftheMother-Church。"

SheisthePastorEmeritus。

WhilethequotedparagraphabouttheProcessionseemstoindicatethatMrs。EddyisexpectingtooccupytheFirstPlaceinit，thatexpectationisnotdefinitelyavowed。Inanearlierutteranceofherssheisclearer——clearer，anddoesnotclaimthefirstplacealltoherself，butonlythehalfofit。IquotefromMr。Peabody"sbookagain：

"IntheChristianScienceJournalforApril，1889，whenitwasherproperty，andpublishedbyher，itwasclaimedforher，andwithhersanction，thatshewasequalwithJesus，andelaborateeffortwasmadetoestablishtheclaim。

"Mrs。EddyhasdistinctlyauthorizedtheclaiminherbehalfthatsheherselfwasthechosensuccessortoandequalofJesus。"

InherMiscellaneousWritings（usingheroncefavorite"We"for"I"）shesaysthat"Whileweentertaindecidedviews……andshallexpressthemasdutydemands，weshallclaimnoespecialgiftfromourdivineorigin，"etc。

Ourdivineorigin。ItsuggestsEqualagain。Itisinferable，then，thatinthenearby-and-bythenewChurchwillofficiallyranktheHolyFamilyinthefollowingorder：

1。JesusofNazareth。——1。OurMother。

2。TheVirginMary。

SUMMARY

IamnotplayingwithChristianScienceanditsfounder，Iamexaminingthem；andIamdoingitbecauseoftheinterestIfeelintheinquiry。

Myresultsmayseeminadequatetothereader，buttheyhaveformeclarifiedamuddleandbroughtasortoforderoutofachaos，andsoI

valuethem。

MyreadingsofMrs。Eddy"suninspiredmiscellaneousliteraryeffortshaveconvincedmeofseveralthings：

1。ThatshedidnotwriteScienceandHealth。

2。ThattheDeitydid（ordidnot）writeit。

3。ThatShethinksShewroteit。

4。ThatShebelievesShewroteitundertheDeity"sinspiration。

5。ThatShebelievesSheisaMemberoftheHolyFamily。

6。ThatShebelievesSheistheequaloftheHeadofit。

Finally，IthinkSheisnowentitledtothecapitalS——onherownevidence。

CHAPTERVI

ThusfarwehaveapartofMrs。Eddy"sportrait。Notmadeoffictions，surmises，reports，rumors，innuendoes，droppedbyherenemies；no，shehasfurnishedallofthematerialsherself，andlaidthemonthecanvas，undermygeneralsuperintendenceanddirection。Asfarasshehasgonewithit，itisthepresentationofacomplacent，commonplace，illiterateNewEnglandwomanwho"forgoteverythingsheknew"whenshediscoveredherdiscovery，thenwroteaBibleingoodEnglishundertheinspirationofGod，andclimbedupittothesupremestsummitofearthlygrandeurattainablebyman——whereshesitssereneto-day，belovedandworshipedbyamultitudeofhumanbeingsofasgoodaverageintelligenceasispossessedbythosethatmarchunderthebannerofanycompetingcult。

Thisisnotintendedtoflatterthecompetingcults，itismerelyastatementofcoldfact。

Thatacommonplacepersonshouldgoclimbingaloftandbecomeagodorahalf-godoraquarter-godandbeworshipedbymenandwomenofaverageintelligence，isnothing。Ithashappenedamilliontimes，itwillhappenahundredmillionmore。Ithasbeenmillionsofyearssincethefirstofthesesupernaturalsappeared，andbythetimethelastoneinthatinconceivablyremotefutureshallhaveperformedhissolemnlittlehigh-jinksonthestageandclosedthebusiness，therewillbeenoughofthemaccumulatedinthemuseumontheOtherSidetostartaheavenoftheirown-andjamit。

Eachinhisturnthoselittlesupernaturalsofourby-goneagesandaeonsjoinedthemonsterprocessionofhispredecessorsandmarchedhorizonward，disappeared，andwasforgotten。Theychangednothing，theybuiltnothing，theyleftnothingbehindthemtorememberthemby，nothingtoholdtheirdisciplestogether，nothingtosolidifytheirworkandenableittodefytheassaultsoftimeandtheweather。Theypassed，andleftavacancy。Theymadeonefatalmistake；theyallmadeit，eachinhisturn：theyfailedtoorganizetheirforces，theyfailedtocentralizetheirstrength，theyfailedtoprovideafreshBibleandasureandperpetualcashincomeforbusiness，andoftentheyfailedtoprovideanewandacceptedDivinePersonagetoworship。

Mrs。Eddyisnotofthatsmallfry。Thematerialsthatgotothemakingoftherestofherportraitwillproveit。Shewillfurnishthemherself：

Shepublishedherbook。Shecopyrightedit。Shecopyrightseverything。

Ifsheshouldsay，"Good-morning；howdoyoudo？"shewouldcopyrightit；

forsheisacarefulperson，andknowsthevalueofsmallthings。

ShebegantoteachherScience，shebegantoheal，shebegantogatherconvertstohernewreligion——fervent，sincere，devoted，gratefulpeople。

AyearortwolatersheorganizedherfirstChristianScience"Association，"withsixofherdisciplesontheroster。

Shecontinuedtoteachandheal。Shewaschargingnothing，shesays，althoughshewasverypoor。Shetaughtandhealedgratisfouryearsaltogether，shesays。

Then，in1879-81shewasbecomestrongenough，andwellenoughestablished，toventureacoupleofimpressivelyimportantmoves。Thefirstofthesemoveswastoaggrandizethe"Association"toa"Church。"

Brave？Itistherightnameforit，Ithink。Theformernamesuggestsnothing，invitednoremark，nocriticism，noinquiry，nohostility；thenewnameinvitedthemall。Shemusthavemadethisintrepidventureonherownmotion。Shecouldhavehadnoimportantadvisersatthatearlyday。Ifweacceptitasherownideaandherownact——andIthinkwemust——wehaveonekeytohercharacter。Anditwillexplainsubsequentactsofhersthatwouldmerelystunusandstupefyuswithoutit。Shallwecallitcourage？Orshallwecallitrecklessness？Courageobserves；

reflects；calculates；surveysthewholesituation；countsthecost，estimatestheodds，makesupitsmind；thengoesattheenterpriseresolutetowinorperish。Recklessnessdoesnotreflect，itplungesfearlesslyinwithahurrah，andtakestherisks，whatevertheymaybe，regardlessofexpense。Recklessnessoftenfails，Mrs。Eddyhasneverfailed——fromthepointofviewofherfollowers。Thepointofviewofotherpeopleisnaturallynotamatterofweightyimportancetoher。

ThenewChurchwasnotbornloose-jointedandfeatureless，buthadadefinedplan，adefinitecharacter，definiteaims，andanamewhichwasachallenge，anddefiedallcomers。Itwas"aMind-healingChurch。"Itwas"withoutacreed。"Itsname，"TheChurchofChrist，Scientist。"

Mrs。EddycouldnotcopyrightherChurch，butshecharteredit，whichwasthesamethingandrelievedthepain。Ithadtwenty-sixchartermembers。

Mrs。Eddywasatonceinstalledasitspastor。

Theotherventure，abovereferredto，wasMrs。Eddy"sMassachusettsMetaphysicalCollege，inwhichwastaught"thepathologyofspiritualpower。"Shecouldnotcopyrightit，butshegotitchartered。Forfacultyithadherself，herhusbandoftheperiod（Dr。Eddy），andheradoptedson，Dr。Foster-Eddy。Thecollegetermwas"barelythreeweeks，"shesays。Againshewasbold，brave，rash，reckless——chooseforyourself——forshenotonlybegantochargethestudent，butchargedhimahundreddollarsaweekfortheenlightenments。Andgotit？somemayask。Easily。Pupilsflockedfromfarandnear。Theycamebythehundred。Presentlythetermwascutdownnearlyhalf，butthepriceremainedasbefore。Tobeexact，theterm-cutwastosevenlessons——

price，threehundreddollars。Thecollege"yieldedalargeincome。"

Thisisbelievable。InsevenyearsMrs。Eddytaught，assheavers，overfourthousandstudentsinit。（Prefaceto1902editionofScienceandHealth。）Threehundredtimesfourthousandis——butperhapsyoucancipherityourself。Icoulddoitordinarily，butIfelldownyesterdayandhurtmyleg。Cipherit；youwillseethatitisagrandsumforawomantoearninsevenyears。Yetthatwasnotallshegotoutofhercollegeintheseven。

Atthetimethatshewaschargingtheprimarystudentthreehundreddollarsfortwelvelessonsshewasnotcontentwiththistidyassessment，buthadotherwaysofplunderinghim。Byadvertisementsheofferedhimprivilegeswherebyhecouldaddeighteenlessonstohisstoreforfivehundreddollarsmore。Thatistosay，hecouldgetatotalofthirtylessonsinhercollegeforeighthundreddollars。

Fourthousandtimeseighthundredis——butitisadifficultsumforacripplewhohasnotbeen"demonstratedover"tocipher；letitgo。Shetaught"over"fourthousandstudentsinsevenyears。"Over"isnotdefinite，butitprobablyrepresentsanon-payingsurplusoflearnersoverandabovethepayingfourthousand。Charitystudents，doubtless。I

thinkthatasinterestinganadvertisementashasbeenprintedsincetheromanticolddaysoftheotherbuccaneersisthisonefromtheChristianScienceJournalforSeptember，1886：

"MASSACHUSETTSMETAPHYSICALCOLLEGE

"REV。MARYBAKERG。EDDY，PRESIDENT

"571ColumbusAvenue，Boston"ThecollegiatecourseinChristianSciencemetaphysicalhealingincludestwelvelessons。Tuition，threehundreddollars。

"Courseinmetaphysicalobstetricsincludessixdailylectures，andisopenonlytostudentsfromthiscollege。Tuition，onehundreddollars。

"Classintheology，open（liketheabove）tograduates，receivessixadditionallecturesontheScriptures，andsummaryoftheprincipleandpracticeofChristianScience，twohundreddollars。

"Normalclassisopentothosewhohavetakenthefirstcourseatthiscollege；sixdailylecturescompletetheNormalcourse。Tuition，twohundreddollars。

"Noinvalids，andonlypersonsofgoodmoralcharacter，areacceptedasstudents。Allstudentsaresubjecttoexaminationandrejection；andtheyareliabletoleavetheclassiffoundunfittoremaininit。

"Alimitednumberofclergymenreceivedfreeofcharge。

"Largestdiscounttoindigentstudents，onehundreddollarsonthefirstcourse。

"Nodeductionontheothers。

"Husbandandwife，enteredtogether，threehundreddollars。

"Tuitionforallstrictlyinadvance。"

Thereitis——thehorse-leech"sdaughteraliveagain，afterathree-

centuryvacation。Fiftyorsixtyhours"lecturingforeighthundreddollars。

Iwasinerrorastoonematter：therearenocharitystudents。Gratis-

taughtclergymenmustnotbeplacedunderthathead；theyaremerelyanadvertisement。Pauperstudentscangetintotheinfantclassonatwo-

thirdrate（cashinadvance），butnotevenanarchangelcangetintotherestofthegameatanythingshortofpar，cashdown。Foritis"inthespiritofChrist"scharity，asonewhoisjoyfultobearhealingtothesick"thatMrs。Eddyisworkingthegame。Shesendsthehealingtothemoutside。Shecannotbearittotheminsidethecollege，forthereasonthatshedoesnotallowasickcandidatetogetin。Itistruethatthissmellsofinconsistency，butthatisnothing；Mrs。EddywouldnotbeMrs。

Eddyifsheshouldeverchancetobeconsistentaboutanythingtwodaysrunning。

ExceptinthematteroftheDollar。TheDollar，andappetiteforpowerandnotoriety。Englishmustalsobeadded；sheisalwaysconsistent，sheisalwaysMrs。Eddy，inherEnglish：itisalwaysandconsistentlyconfusedandcrippledandpoor。ShewrotetheAdvertisement；herliterarytrade-marksarethere。Whenshesaysall"students"aresubjecttoexamination，shedoesnotmeanstudents，shemeanscandidatesforthatloftyplaceWhenshesaysstudentsare"liable"toleavetheclassiffoundunfittoremaininit，shedoesnotmeanthatiftheyfindthemselvesunfit，orbefoundunfitbyothers，theywillbelikelytoaskpermissiontoleavetheclass；shemeansthatifshefindsthemunfitshewillbe"liable"tofirethemout。Whenshenoblyoffers"tuitionforallstrictlyinadvance，"shedoesnotmean"instructionforallinadvance-paymentforitlater。"No，thatisonlywhatshesays，itisnotwhatshemeans。IfshehadwrittenScienceandHealth，theoldestmanintheworldwouldnotbeabletotellwithcertaintywhatanypassageinitwasintendedtomean。

HerChurchwasonitslegs。

Shewasitspastor。Itwasprospering。

ShewasappointedoneofacommitteetodraughtBy-lawsforitsgovernment。Itmaybeobserved，withoutoverplusofirreverence，thatthiswaslarksforher。Shedidallofthedraughtingherself。Fromtheverybeginningshewasalwaysinthefrontseatwhentherewasbusinesstobedone；inthefrontseat，withbotheyesopen，andlookingsharplyoutforNumberOne；inthefrontseat，workingMortalMindwithfineeffectivenessandgivingImmortalMindarestforSunday。WhenherChurchwasreorganized，by-and-by，theBy-lawswereretained。Shesawtothat。IntheseLawsforthegovernmentofherChurch，herempire，herdespotism，Mrs。Eddy"scharacterisembalmedforgoodandall。IthinkaparticularizedexaminationoftheseChurch-lawswillbefoundinteresting。Andnotthelesssoifwekeepinmindthattheywere"impelledbyapowernotone"sown，"asshesays——Anglice。theinspirationofGod。

ItisaChurch"withoutacreed。"Still，ithasone。Mrs。Eddydraughtedit——andcopyrightedit。Inherownname。YoucannotbecomeamemberoftheMother-Church（norofanyChristianScienceChurch）withoutsigningit。ItformsthefirstchapteroftheBy-laws，andiscalled"Tenets。""TenetsofTheMotherChurch，TheFirstChurchofChrist，Scientist。"Ithasnohellinit——itthrowsitoverboard。

THEPASTOREMERITUS

Aboutthetimeofthereorganization，Mrs。EddyretiredfromherpositionofpastorofherChurch，abolishedtheofficeofpastorinallbranchChurches，andappointedherbook，ScienceandHealth，tobepastor-

universal。Mrs。Eddydidnotdisconnectherselffromtheofficeentirely，whensheretired，butappointedherselfPastorEmeritus。Itisamisleadingtitle，andbelongstothefamilyofthatphrase"withoutacreed。"Itadvertisesherasbeingamerelyhonoraryofficial，withnothingtodo，andnoauthority。TheCzarofRussiaisEmperorEmeritusonthesameterms。Mrs。EddywasAutocratoftheChurchbefore，withlimitlessauthority，andshekepthergriponthatlimitlessauthoritywhenshetookthatfictitioustitle。

ItiscuriousandinterestingtonotewithwhatanunerringinstinctthePastorEmeritushasthoughtoutandforecastallpossibleencroachmentsuponherplannedautocracy，andbarredthewayagainstthem，intheBy-

lawswhichsheframedandcopyrighted——undertheguidanceoftheSupremeBeing。

THEBOARDOFDIRECTORS

Forinstance，whenArticleI。speaksofaPresidentandBoardofDirectors，youthinkyouhavediscoveredaformidablecheckuponthepowersandambitionsofthehonorarypastor，theornamentalpastor，thefunctionlesspastor，thePastorEmeritus，butitisamistake。Thesegreatofficialsareofthephrase——familyoftheChurch-Without-a-CreedandthePastor-With-Nothing-to-Do；thatistosay，ofthefamilyofLarge-Names-Which-Mean-Nothing。TheBoardisofsolittleconsequencethattheBy-lawsdonotstatehowitischosen，norwhodoesit；buttheydostate，mostdefinitely，thattheBoardcannotfillavacancyinitsnumber"exceptthecandidateisapprovedbythePastorEmeritus。"

The"candidate。"TheBoardcannotevenproceedtoanelectionuntilthePastorEmeritushasexaminedthelistandsquelchedsuchcandidatesasarenotsatisfactorytoher。

WhethertheoriginalfirstBoardbeganasthepersonalpropertyofMrs。

Eddyornot，itisforeseeablethatintime，underthisBy-law，shewouldownit。SuchafirstBoardmightchafeundersucharuleasthat，andtrytolegislateitoutofexistencesomeday。ButMrs。Eddywasawake。

Sheforesawthatdanger，andaddedthisingeniousandeffectiveclause：

"ThisBy-lawcanneitherbeamendednorannulled，exceptbyconsentofMrs。Eddy，thePastorEmeritus"

THEPRESIDENT

TheBoardofDirectors，orSerfs，orCiphers，electsthePresident。

Ontheseclearlywordedterms："SubjecttotheapprovalofthePastorEmeritus。"

ThereforeSheelectshim。

Alongtermcaninvestahighofficialwithinfluenceandpower，andmakehimdangerous。Mrs。Eddyreflecteduponthat；soshelimitsthePresident"stermtoayear。Shehasacapablecommercialhead，anorganizinghead，aheadforgovernment。

TREASURERANDCLERK

ThereareaTreasurerandaClerk。TheyareelectedbytheBoardofDirectors。Thatistosay，byMrs。Eddy。

TheirtermsofofficeexpireonthefirstTuesdayinJuneofeachyear，"orupontheelectionoftheirsuccessors。"Theymustbewatchfullyobedientandsatisfactorytoher，orshewillelectandinstalltheirsuccessorswithasuddennessthatcanbeunpleasanttothem。ItgoeswithoutsayingthattheTreasurermanagestheTreasurytosuitMrs。Eddy，andisinfactmerelyTemporaryDeputyTreasurer。

ApparentlytheClerkhasbuttwodutiestoperform：toreadmessagesfromMrs。EddytoFirstMembersassembledinsolemnCouncil，andprovidelistsofcandidatesforChurchmembership。TheselectbodyentitledFirstMembersarethearistocracyoftheMother-Church，theCharterMembers，theAborigines，asortofstylishbutunsalariedlittleCollegeofCardinals，goodforshow，butnotindispensable。NobodyisindispensableinMrs。Eddy"sempire；sheseestothat。

WhenthePastorEmeritussendsaletterormessagetothatlittleSanhedrin，itistheClerk"s"imperativeduty"toreadit"attheplaceandtimespecified。"Otherwise，theworldmightcometoanend。Thesearefine，largefrills，andremindusofthewaysofemperorsandsuch。

Suchdonotusethepenny-post，theysendagildedandpaintedspecialmessenger，andhestridesintotheParliament，andbusinesscomestoasuddenandsolemnandawfulstop；andintheimpressivehushthatfollows，theChiefClerkreadsthedocument。Itishis"imperativeduty。"Ifheshouldneglectit，hisofficiallifewouldend。ItisthesamewiththisMother-ChurchClerk；"ifhefailtoperformthisimportantfunctionofhisoffice，"certainmajesticandunshirkablesolemnitiesmustfollow：aspecialmeeting"shall"becalled；amemberoftheChurch"shall"makeformalcomplaint；thentheClerk"shall"be"removedfromoffice。"Complaintissufficient，notrialisnecessary。

Thereissomethingverysweetandjuvenileandinnocentandprettyabouttheselittletinselvanities，thesegraveapingsofmonarchicalfussandfeathersandceremony，hereonourostentatiouslydemocraticsoil。SheisthesameladythatwefoundintheAutobiography，whowassonaivelyvainofallthatlittleancestralmilitaryriffraffthatshehaddugupandannexed。Aperson"snatureneverchanges。Whatitisinchildhood，itremains。Underpressure，orachangeofinterest，itcanpartiallyorwhollydisappearfromsight，andforconsiderablestretchesoftime，butnothingcaneverpermanentlymodifyit，nothingcaneverremoveit。

BOARDOFTRUSTEES

Thereisn"tany——now。ButwithpowerandmoneypilinguphigherandhighereverydayandtheChurch"sdominionspreadingdailywiderandfarther，atimecouldcomewhentheenviousandambitiouscouldstarttheideathatitwouldbewiseandwelltoputawatchupontheseassets——

awatchequippedwithproperlylargeauthority。Bycustom，aBoardofTrustees。Mrs。Eddyhasforeseenthatprobability——forsheisawomanwithalong，longlookahead，thelongestlookaheadthateverawomanhad——andshehasprovidedforthatemergency。InArt。I。，Sec。5，shehasdecreedthatnoBoardofTrusteesshalleverexistintheMother-

Church"exceptitbeconstitutedbythePastorEmeritus。"

Themagnificenceofit，thedaringofit！Thusfar，sheisTheMassachusettsMetaphysicalCollege；

PastorEmeritus；

President；

BoardofDirectors；

Treasurer；

Clerk；

andfutureBoardofTrustees；

andisstillmovingonward，everonward。WhenIcontemplateherfromacommercialpointofview，therearenowordsthatcanconveymyadmirationofher。

READERS

Theseareafeatureoffirstimportanceinthechurch-machineryofChristianScience。Fortheyoccupythepulpit。TheyholdtheplacethatthepreacherholdsintheotherChristianChurches。Theyholdthatplace，buttheydonotpreach。Twoofthemareondutyatatime——amanandawoman。OnereadsapassagefromtheBible，theotherreadstheexplanationofitfromScienceandHealth——andsotheygoonalternating。

Thisconstitutestheservice——this，withchoir-music。Theyutternowordoftheirown。Art。IV。，Sec。6，closestheirmouthswiththisuncompromisinggag：

"TheyshallmakenoremarksexplanatoryoftheLesson-Sermonatanytimeduringtheservice。"

Itseemsasimplelittlething。Oneisnotstartledbyitatafirstreadingofit；noratthesecond，northethird。Onemayhavetoreaditadozentimesbeforethewholemagnitudeofitrisesbeforethemind。Itfarandawayoversizesandoutclassesthebestbusiness-ideayetinventedforthesafe-guardingandperpetuatingofareligion。Ifithadbeenthoughtofandputinforceeighteenhundredandseventyyearsago，therewouldbebutoneChristiansectintheworldnow，insteadoftendozensofthem。

Therearemanyvarietiesofmenintheworld，consequentlytherearemanyvarietiesofmindsinitspulpits。ThisinsuresmanydifferinginterpretationsofimportantScripturetexts，andthisinturninsuresthesplittingupofareligionintomanysects。Itiswhathashappened；

itwassuretohappen。

Mrs。Eddyhasnotedthisdisastrousresultofpreaching，andhasputupthebars。ShewillhavenopreachinginherChurch。ShehasexplainedallessentialScriptures，andsettheexplanationsdowninherbook。Inherbeliefherunderlingscannotimproveuponthoseexplanations，andinthatsternsentence"theyshallmakenoexplanatoryremarks"shehasbarredthemforalltimefromtrying。Shewillbeobeyed；thereisnoquestionaboutthat。

Inarranginghergovernmentshehasborrowedideasfromvarioussources——

notpoorones，butthebestinthegovernmentalmarket——butthisoneisnew，thisonecameoutofnoordinarybusiness-head，thisonemusthavecomeoutofherown，therehasbeennoothercommercialskullinathousandcenturiesthatwasequaltoit。Shehasborrowedfreelyandwisely，butIamsurethatthisideaismanytimeslargerthanallherborrowingsbulkedtogether。Onemustrespectthebusiness-brainthatproducedit——thesplendidpluckandimpudencethatventuredtopromulgateit，anyway。

ELECTIONOFREADERS

Readersarenottakenathap-hazard，anymorethanpreachersaretakenathap-hazardforthepulpitsofothersects。No，ReadersareelectedbytheBoardofDirectors。But——

"Section3。TheBoardshallinformthePas。forEmeritusofthenamesofcandidatesforReadersbeforetheyareelected，andifsheobjectstothenomination，saidcandidatesshallnotbechosen。"

Isthatanelection——bytheBoard？ThusfarIhavenotbeenabletofindoutwhatthatBoardofSpectresisfor。Itcertainlyhasnorealfunction，nodutywhichthehiredgirlcouldnotperform，noofficebeyondthemererecordingoftheautocrat"sdecrees。

Therearenodangerouslylongoffice-termsinMrs。Eddy"sgovernment。

TheReadersareelectedforbutoneyear。Thisinsurestheirsubserviencytotheirproprietor。

Readersarenotallowedtocopyoutpassagesandreadthemfromthemanuscriptinthepulpit；theymustreadfromMrs。Eddy"sbookitself。

Sheisright。Slightchangescouldbeslylymade，repeated，andintimegetacceptancewithcongregations。Branchsectscouldgrowoutofthesepractices。Mrs。Eddyknowsthehumanrace，andhowfartotrustit。Herlimitisnotoveraquarterofaninch。Itisallthatawisepersonwillrisk。

Mrs。Eddy"sinborndispositiontocopyrighteverything，chartereverything，securetherightfulandpropercredittoherselfforeverythingshedoes，andeverythingshethinksshedoes，andeverythingshethinks，andeverythingshethinksshethinksorhasthoughtorintendstothink，isillustratedinSec。5ofArt。IV。，definingthedutiesofofficialReaders——inchurch：

"NamingBookandAuthor。TheReaderofScienceandHealth，withKeytotheScriptures，beforecommencingtoreadfromthisbook，shalldistinctlyannounceitsfulltitleandgivetheauthor"sname。"

Otherwisethecongregationmightgetthehabitofforgettingwho（ostensibly）wrotethebook。

THEARISTOCRACY

ThisconsistsofFirstMembersandtheirapostolicsuccession。Itisaclosecorporation，anditsmembershiplimitisonehundred。Fortywillanswer，butifthenumberfallbelowthat，theremustbeanelection，tofillthegrandquorum。

ThisSanhedrincan"tdoanythingoftheslightestimportance，butitcantalk。Itcan"discuss。"Thatis，itcandiscuss"importantquestionsrelativetoChurchmembers"，evidentlypersonswhoarealreadyChurchmembers。Thisaffordsitamusement，anddoesnoharm。

Itcan"fixthesalariesoftheReaders。"

Twiceayearit"voteson"admittingcandidates。Thatis，forChurchmembership。Butitsworkiscutoutforitbeforehand，bySec。，Art。

IX。：

"EveryrecommendationformembershipIntheChurch"shallbecountersignedbyaloyalstudentofMrs。Eddy"s，byaDirectorofthisChurch，orbyaFirstMember。""

AllthesethreeclassesofbeingsarethepersonalpropertyofMrs。Eddy。

Shehasabsolutecontroloftheelections。

Alsoitmust"transactanyChurchbusinessthatmayproperlycomebeforeit。"

"Properly"isathoughtfulword。Noimportantbusinesscancomebeforeit。TheBylawshaveattendedtothat。NoimportantbusinessgoesbeforeanyoneforthefinalwordexceptMrs。Eddy。Shehaslookedtothat。

TheSanhedrin"voteson"candidatesforadmissiontoitsownbody。Butisitsvoteworthanymorethanminewouldbe？No，itisn"t。Sec。4，ofArt。V。——ElectionofFirstMembers——makesthisquiteplain：

"Beforebeingelected，thecandidatesforFirstMembersshallbeapprovedbythePastorEmeritusoverherownsignature。"

ThustheSanhedrinisthepersonalpropertyofMrs。Eddy。Sheownsit。

Ithasnofunctions，noauthority，norealexistence。ItisanotherBoardofShadows。Mrs。EddyistheSanhedrinherself。

Butitistimetofootupagainand"seewhereweareat。"Thusfar，Mrs。EddyisTheMassachusettsMetaphysicalCollege；

PastorEmeritus，President；

BoardofDirectors；

Treasurer；

Clerk；

FutureBoardofTrustees；

ProprietorofthePriesthood：

DictatoroftheServices；

ProprietoroftheSanhedrin。Shehascomefar，andisstillonherway。

CHURCHMEMBERSHIP

InthisArticlethereisanotherexhibitionofacoupleofthelargefeaturesofMrs。Eddy"sremarkablemake-up：herbusiness-talentandherknowledgeofhumannature。

ShedoesnotbeseechandimplorepeopletojoinherChurch。Sheknowsthehumanracebetterthanthat。Shegravelygoesthroughthemotionsofreluctantlygrantingadmissiontotheapplicantasafavortohim。Theideaisworthuntoldshekels。Shedoesnotstandatthegateofthefoldwithwelcomingarmsspread，andreceivethelostsheepwithglademotionandsetupthefattedcalfandinvitetheneighborandhaveatime。No，shelooksuponhimcoldly，shesnubshim，shesays：

"Whoareyou？Whoisyoursponsor？Whoaskedyoutocomehere？Goaway，anddon"tcomeagainuntilyouareinvited。"

ItiscalculatedtostrikinglyimpressapersonaccustomedtoMoodyandSankeyandSamJonesrevivals；accustomedtobrain-turningappealstotheunknownandunendorsedsinnertocomeforwardandenterintothejoy，etc。——"justasheis"；accustomedtoseeinghimdoit；accustomedtoseeinghimpassuptheaislethroughsobbingseasofwelcome，andlove，andcongratulation，andarriveatthemourner"sbenchandbereceivedlikealong-lostgovernmentbond。

No，thereisnothingofthatkindinMrs。Eddy"ssystem。Sheknowsthatifyouwishtoconferuponahumanbeingsomethingwhichheisnotsurehewants，thebestwayistomakeitapparentlydifficultforhimtogetit——thenheisnosonofAdamifthatappledoesnotassumeaninterestinhiseyeswhichitlackedbefore。Intimethisinterestcangrowintodesire。Mrs。Eddyknowsthatwhenyoucannotgetamantotry——freeofcost——anewandeffectiveremedyforadiseaseheisafflictedwith，youcangenerallysellittohimifyouwillputapriceuponitwhichhecannotafford。When，inthebeginning，shetaughtChristianSciencegratis（forgoodreasons），pupilswerefewandreluctant，andrequiredpersuasion；itwaswhensheraisedthelimittothreehundreddollarsforadollar"sworththatshecouldnotfindstandingroomfortheinvasionofpupilsthatfollowed。

WithfineastutenessshegoesthroughthemotionsofmakingitdifficulttogetmembershipinherChurch。Thereisatwofoldvalueinthissystem：itgivesmembershipahighvalueintheeyesoftheapplicant；

andatthesametimetherequirementsexactedenableMrs。Eddytokeephimoutifshehasdoubtsabouthisvaluetoher。Awordfurtherastoapplicationsformembership：

"ApplicationsofstudentsoftheMetaphysicalCollegemustbesignedbytheBoardofDirectors。"

Thatissafe。Mrs。EddyisproprietorofthatBoard。

Childrenoftwelvemaybeadmittedifinvitedby"oneofMrs。Eddy"sloyalstudents，orbyaFirstMember，orbyaDirector。"

ThesesponsorsarethepropertyofMrs。Eddy，thereforeherChurchissafeguardedfromtheintrusionofundesirablechildren。

OtherStudents。ApplicantswhohavenotstudiedwithMrs。Eddycangetinonly"byinvitationandrecommendationfromstudentsofMrs。Eddy……orfrommembersoftheMother-Church。"

Otherparagraphsexplainhowtwoorthreeothervarietiesofapplicantsaretobechallengedandobstructed，andtelluswhoisauthorizedtoinvitethem，recommendthemendorsethem，andallthat。

Thesafeguardsaredefinite，andwouldseemtobesufficientlystrenuous——toMr。SamJones，atanyrate。NotforMrs。Eddy。Sheaddsthisclincher：

"ThecandidatesbeelectedbyamajorityvoteoftheFirstMemberspresent。"

Thatisthearistocracy，theaborigines，theSanhedrin。ItisMrs。

Eddy"sproperty。SheherselfistheSanhedrin。NoonecangetintotheChurchifshewishestokeephimout。

Thisvetopowercouldsometimeorotherhavealargevalueforher，thereforeshewaswisetoreserveit。

Itislikelythatitisnotfrequentlyused。Itisalsoprobablethatthedifficultiesattendantupongettingadmissiontomembershiphavebeeninstitutedmoretoinvitethantodeter，moretoenhancethevalueofmembershipandmakepeoplelongforitthantomakeitreallydifficulttoget。Ithinkso，becausetheMother。Churchhasmanythousandsofmembersmorethanitsbuildingcanaccommodate。

ANDSOMEENGLISHREQUIRED

Mrs。Eddyisveryparticularasregardsonedetailcuriouslyso，forher，allthingsconsidered。TheChurchReadersmustbe"goodEnglishscholars"；theymustbe"thoroughEnglishscholars。"

SheisthussensitiveabouttheEnglishofhersubordinatesforcause，possibly。InherchapterdefiningthedutiesoftheClerkthereisanindicationthatsheharborsresentfulmemoriesofanoccasionwhenthehazyqualityofherownEnglishmadeunforeseenandmortifyingtrouble：

"UnderstandingCommunications。Sec。2。IftheClerkofthisChurchshallreceiveacommunicationfromthePastorEmerituswhichhedoesnotfullyunderstand，heshallinformherofthisfactbeforepresentingittotheChurch，andobtainaclearunderstandingofthematter——thenactinaccordancetherewith。"

Sheshouldhavewaitedtocalmdown，then，butinsteadsheaddedthis，whichlackssugar：

"FailingtoadheretothisBy-law，theClerkmustresign。"

IwishIcouldseethatcommunicationthatbrokethecamel"sback。Itwasprobablytheonebeginning："Whatplaguespotorbacilliweregnawingattheheartofthismetropolisandbringingitonbendedknee？"andI

thinkitlikelythatthekindlydisposedClerktriedtotranslateitintoEnglishandlosthismindandhadtogotothehospital。ThatBylawwasnottheoffspringofaforecast，anintuition，itwascertainlybornofasorrowfulexperience。Itstempergivesthefactaway。

ThelittlebookofBy-lawshasmanifestlybeentinkeredbyoneofMrs。

Eddy"s"thoroughEnglishscholars，"forinthemajorityofcasesitsmeaningsareclear。ThebookisnotevenmarredbyMrs。Eddy"speculiarspecialty——lumberingclumsinessesofspeech。Ibelievethesalariedpolisherhasweededthemalloutbutone。Inoneplace，afterreferringtoScienceandHealth，Mrs。Eddygoesontosay"theBibleandtheabove——

namedbook，withotherworksbythesameauthor，"etc。

Itisanunfortunatesentence，foritcouldmisleadahastyorcarelessreaderforamoment。Mrs。Eddyframedit——itisherveryown——itbearshertrade-mark。"TheBibleandScienceandHealth，withotherworksbythesameauthor，"couldhavecomefromnoliteraryvacuumbuttheonewhichproducedtheremark（intheAutobiography）："Irememberreading，inmychildhood，certainmanuscriptscontainingScripturalSonnets，besidesotherversesandenigmas。"

Weknowwhatshemeans，inbothinstances，butalow-pricedClerkwouldnotnecessarilyknow，andonasalarylikehishecouldquiteexcusablyaverthatthePastorEmeritushadcommandedhimtocomeandmakeproclamationthatshewasauthoroftheBible，andthatshewasthinkingofdischargingsomeScripturalsonnetsandotherenigmasuponthecongregation。Itcouldlosehimhisplace，butitwouldnotbefair，ifithappenedbeforetheedictabout"UnderstandingCommunications"waspromulgated。

"READERS"AGAIN

TheBy-lawbookmakesashowypretenceoforderlinessandsystem，butitisonlyapretence。Iwillnotgosofarastosayitisaharum-scarumjumble，foritisnotthat，butIthinkitfairtosayitisatleastjumbulaciousinplaces。Forinstance，ArticlesIII。andIV。setforthinmuchdetailthequalificationsanddutiesofReaders，shethenskipssomethirtypagesandtakesupthesubjectagain。Itlookslikeslovenliness，butitmaybeonlyart。ThebelatedBy-lawhasasufficientlyquietlook，butithasatonofdynamiteinit。ItmakesalltheChristianScienceChurchReadersontheglobethepersonalchattelsofMrs。Eddy。Whenevershechooses，shecanstretchherlongarmaroundtheworld"sfatbellyandflirtaReaderoutofhispulpit，thoughhebetuckedawayinseemingsafetyandobscurityinalostvillageinthemiddleofChina：

"InanyChurch。Sec。2。ThePastorEmeritusoftheMother-Churchshallhavetheright（throughaletteraddressedtotheindividualandChurchofwhichheistheReader）toremoveaReaderfromthisofficeinanyChurchofChrist，Scientist，bothinAmericaandinforeignnations；ortoappointtheReadertofillanyofficebelongingtotheChristianSciencedenomination。"

Shedoesnothavetopreferchargesagainsthim，shedoesnothavetofindhimlazy，careless，incompetent，untidy，ill-mannered，unholy，dishonest，shedoesnothavetodiscoverafaultofanykindinhim，shedoesnothavetotellhimnorhiscongregationwhyshedismissesanddisgraceshimandinsultshismeekflock，shedoesnothavetoexplaintohisfamilywhyshetakesthebreadoutoftheirmouthsandturnsthemout-of-doorshomelessandashamedinastrangeland；shedoesnothavetodoanythingbutsendaletterandsay："Pack！——andasknoquestions！"

HasthePopethispower？——theotherPope——theoneinRome。Hasheanythingapproachingit？Canheturnapriestoutofhispulpitandstriphimofhisofficeandhislivelihoodjustuponawhim，acaprice，andmeanwhilefurnishingnoreasonstotheparish？NotinAmerica。Andnotelsewhere，wemaybelieve。

Itisoddandstrange，toseeintelligentandeducatedpeopleamongusworshippingthisself-seekingandremorselesstyrantasaGod。Thisworshipisdenied——bypersonswhoarethemselvesworshippersofMrs。

Eddy。Ifeelquitesurethatitisaworshipwhichwillcontinueduringages。

ThatMrs。EddywrotethatamazingBy-lawwithherownhandwehavemuchbetterevidencethanherword。WehaveherEnglish。Itisthere。Itcannotbeimitated。Sheoughtnevertogototheexpenseofcopyrightingherverbaldischarges。Whenanyonetriestoclaimthemsheshouldcallme；Icanalwaystellthemfromanyotherliteraryapprentice"sataglance。ItwaslikehertocallAmericaa"nation"；shewouldcallasand-baranationifitshouldfallintoasentenceinwhichshewasspeakingofpeoples，forshewouldnotknowhowtountangleitandgetitoutandclassifyitbyitself。AndtheclosingarrangementofthatBy-

lawisintrueEddysonianform，too。InitshereservesauthoritytomakeaReaderfillanyofficeconnectedwithaSciencechurch-sexton，grave-digger，advertising-agent，Annex-polisher，leaderofthechoir，President，Director，Treasurer，Clerk，etc。Shedidnotmeanthat。Shealreadypossessedthatauthority。Shemeanttoclotheherselfwithpower，despoticandunchallengeable，toappointallScienceReaderstotheiroffices，bothathomeandabroad。Thephrase"ortoappoint"isanothermiscarriageofintention；shedidnotmean"or，"shemeant"and。"

ThatBy-lawputsintoMrs。Eddy"shandsabsolutecommandoverthemostformidableforceandinfluenceexistentintheChristianSciencekingdomoutsideofherself，anditdoesthisunconditionallyand（byauxiliaryforceofLawsalreadyquoted）irrevocably。Still，sheisnotquitesatisfied。Somethingmighthappen，shedoesn"tknowwhat。Thereforeshedrivesinonemorenail，tomakesure，anddrivesitdeep：

"ThisBy-lawcanneitherbeamendednorannulled，exceptbyconsentofthePastorEmeritus。"

Letsomeonewithawildanddeliriousfancytryandseeifhecanimagineherfurnishingthatconsent。

MONOPOLYOFSPIRITUALBREAD

Veryproperly，thefirstqualificationformembershipintheMother-

ChurchisbeliefinthedoctrinesofChristianScience。

Butthesedoctrinesmustnotbegatheredfromsecondarysources。Thereisbutonerecognizedsource。ThecandidatemustbeabelieverinthedoctrinesofChristianScience"accordingtotheplatformandteachingcontainedintheChristianSciencetext-book，"ScienceandHealth，withKeytotheScriptures，"byRev。MaryBakerG。Eddy。"

Thatisdefinite，andisfinal。Therearetobenocommentaries，nolaboredvolumesofexpositionandexplanationbyanybodyexceptMrs。

Eddy。Becausesuchthingscouldsowerror，createwarringopinions，splitthereligionintosects，anddisastrouslycrippleitspower。Mrs。

Eddywilldothewholeoftheexplaining，Herself——hasdoneit，infact。

Shehaswrittenseveralbooks。Theyaretobehad（forcashinadvance），theyareallsacred；additionstothemcanneverbeneededandwillneverbepermitted。Theytellthecandidatehowtoinstructhimself，howtoteachothers，howtodoallthingscomprisedinthebusiness——andtheyclosethedooragainstallwould-becompetitors，andmonopolizethetrade：

"TheBibleandtheabove——namedbook[ScienceandHealth]，withotherworksbythesameauthor，"mustbehisonlytext-booksforthecommerce——

hecannotforageoutside。

Mrs。Eddy"swordsaretobethesoleelucidatorsoftheBibleandScienceandHealth——forever。Throughouttheages，wheneverthereisdoubtastothemeaningofapassageineitherofthesebookstheinquirerwillnotdreamoftryingtoexplainittohimself；hewouldshudderatthethoughtofsuchtemerity，suchprofanity，hewouldbehaledtotheInquisitionandthencetothepublicsquareandthestakeifheshouldbecaughtstudyingintotext-meaningsonhisownhook；hewillbeprudentandseekthemeaningsattheonlypermittedsource，Mrs。Eddy"scommentaries。

ValueofthisStrait-jacket。Onemustnotunderratethemagnificenceofthislong-headedidea，onemustnotunderestimateitsgiantpossibilitiesinthematteroftroopingtheChurchsolidlytogetherandkeepingitso。

Itsquelchesindependentinquiry，andmakessuchathingimpossible，profane，criminal，itauthoritativelysettleseverydisputethatcanarise。Itstartswithfinality——apointwhichtheRomanChurchhastravelledtowardsfifteenorsixteencenturies，stagebystage，andhasnotyetreached。ThematteroftheImmaculateConceptionoftheVirginMarywasnotauthoritativelysettleduntilthedaysofPiusIX。——

yesterday，sotospeak。

Asalreadynoticed，theProtestantsarebrokenupintoalongarrayofsects，aresultofdisputesaboutthemeaningsoftexts，disputesmadeunavoidablebytheabsenceofaninfallibleauthoritytosubmitdoubtfulpassagesto。Aweekortwoago（IamwritinginthemiddleofJanuary，1903），theclergyandothershereaboutshadawarmdisputeinthepapersoverthisquestion：DidJesusanywhereclaimtobeGod？Itseemedaneasyquestion，butitturnedouttobeahardone。Itwasablyandelaboratelydiscussed，bylearnedmenofseveraldenominations，butintheenditremainedunsettled。