The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-03
Christian Scientists the
Dark as to Scope
of Rule.
MASONS ARE EXCEPTED
Bylaw Believed TO Apply
Only to Members of the
Church in Boston.

Christian Scientists in Washington as
well as all over the country. wherever
the doctrine, are discussing earnestly a
new bylaw. recently embodied in the
constitution Of the church by Mrs. Ed
dy. its head. which places restrictions
on members regarding secret organiZa-
ton.
The original bylaw. framed by Mrs
Eddy, and published for the first time
in the Christian Scientist Sentinel" OF
April 3. at which time IT became opera
tive. reads.
Members of this church shall neither
be makers nor members Of organiza-
uons which exclude either sex or are
not named in the manual Of the mother
church. God separates the tares and
wheat to garner the latter in his store
house"
Was Soon Amended.
That this mandate met with opposi-
tion is manifest, for in the issue of the
Sentinel for May I. the bylaw IS
amended to read:
Members Of the mother church shall
not be made members Of clubs or or
ganization. the Free Masons excepted.
which exclude either sex. or are not
named In the manual OF the mother
church. God separates the tares and
wheat TO garner the latter In his store
house"
Again on May Il Mrs. Eddy states IN
the Christian Science Sentinel that the
new bylaw prohibits neither informal
meetings nor luncheons and select in
vited guests"
Many Inquiries poured into the offices
of the church in Boston. In the issue OF
the Sentinel" for May y Mrs Eddy
srgs..- -, f,,4.-.--.., +4-, 49,
its present form. as follows:
Il beg 10 inform my beloved members
or the mother church that the bylaws
in Article XVI OF its manual Cthe by
law referring to clubs and organiza tions)
does not require members of benevolent
aue progressive organizations, such as
the Free Masons. Odd Fellows. temper
ance societies and those OF a similar
cult. TO resign this membership. II spec
ifies III plain English that after indl-
viduals become members Of our church
they shall not thereafter he made mem
bers Of clubs or other organizations not
named in the manual and whcTefOT2 ?
Because our religious denomination de-
mands the faithful attention and labor
Of its members in all philanthropic. ther-
apeutiC. and progressive Christian work
for the human race. and relies upon the
adequate. scientific source and resource
therefor
lIuSI 10 MIS- EQQy-
Active leaders in the teachings Of
Christian Science I'm Washington are
generally trusting to Mrs. Eddy's fore
sight Ia such things for the justification
Of her course They state that she has
evidently made a study Of the question
Of secret organizations and clubs. and
has found the benefits 10 home and
Christian lie generally usfactory.
Hence their abolition as far as possible
among Christian Scientists.
A prominent member Of the church
said this morning that the order refer
red directly and specifically to the moth
or church. the First Church Of Boston.
and that members Of the branch church
IS in other cities would not be compelled
20 adhere 20 It's ruling. He added how
ever. that any order which went out
from Mrs Eddy. referring 10 :he mother
church. would probably, as matter OF
loyalty. be observed by ali the branch
churches.
one Of the basic principles OF the
church is that of ASSOCIATED motive III
all church effort and that women must
share equally with men In everything.
Clubs. therefore, which are restricted
TO feminine membership will be against
the teachings OF the church. as well as
those organizations which admit on!y
men. II Is understood that the existence
OF 50 many secret organizations among
men has led 20 the formation Of many
WOmens clubs throughout the country
and inasmuch as none OF these is di-
rectly affiliated with the church. IL Is
believed that Mrs. Eddy has deemed
their influence 90 work against rather
than for the Christian conduct OF the
home. and IL is perhaps in the light Of
this that many Of her followers believe
she has issued the recent bylaw.