THE CONTINUITY OF THE CAUSE OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 'Tfre purpose of tfris Compen{ium. is to rertea[ tftrough Mrs Eddy's witings tfie goaerning error of corporea[ orgonization; to uncouer tfie steps Mrs Eddy too(for its ruofution; and 6y fottouting tfrose steps to sfiow us tfie onfg certain woy forwarf, demorstrating tfrat 'tfiz continuity of 'The Cfiurcfi of Cftrist, Scientist . is assure[' (My ja2) Published by Christian Science Foundation, Ciunbridge, England 1st Edition, 1992 2nd Edition 1995 CHTsrIAN ScmNcB FoUNDATIoN Incorporating Christian Science Research Library Summer, 1995 Dear Friend, On May 4, 1937 , the great Christian Science teacher Bicknell Young wrote a letter to his colleague Dr Hendrik J. de Lange, in which he said: "What. we have now to 'run' the Christian Science organization, our Leader never established. She set up two coordinating boards with Deeds of Trust to serve as a balance. They worked together while she was here to conFol them, but as soon as she left, they each wanted the power, especially the Board of Directors. They appealed and resorted to the advice of human lawyers and the cours @aul appealed to Caesar). Nothing has gone right since 1910 when she left; it has not been canied on according to Mrs Eddy's intentions. "Politics chiefly and financial pressure seem rampant. The only answer to all that enor is 0rat the Christ must prevail. "The 'Estoppel Clauses' in the Manual have not been heeded or obeyed. They are a protective measure to our cause. Some, selfishly, even tried to persuade Mrs Eddy to remove them from the Manual, but she would not because they were divinely inspired to prevent hierarchical conrol and domination; also to gradually dissolve an organizational sense of church and Being. Our office and function is to live the Christ, which is the one and only power of ilre one Mind, Life, Love, Being. "With love and deep appreciation for what you are as the oneness of Being, Bicknell Young" This Compendium has arisen from a question which was originally asked concerning the meaning and role of the estoppel clauses in the Church Manual, that is, those clauses which require Mrs Eddy's consent in either a verbal or written form if the Manual is to be obeyed. This resulted in a period of deep research into the Church Manual and the historical context in which it evolved. The authors of the Compendium seek to present only factual information, much of which has been found in books and other documents held in the Christian Science Research Library, Cambridge, England. The purpose of this work is not "to destroy the law or the prophets . but to fulfil" (Matthew 5:I7). It is a serious attempt to show the divinetf designated resolution of the problems and the way forward, in compiete harmony with what Mrs Eddy has left to guide us. Our aim has been "to serve God and to help the race" (Mess. '07 3:28). In this spirit this Compendium is dedicated to all enquiring students of Christian Science. Yours in Love and Truth, TRusrsEs oF CHRIsTIAN Scmxcs FoUNDATIoN Frondirion, Elmdon, Safton Walderl CBl1 4NH, England Cgnlsrten SctexcB FouxoetloN was established in 1986 as a charitable Trust. The Deed states that its purpose "is to advance the idea of the Christian religion as the Science of Christianity." Its most important resource is a Research Library, which is now housed in the village of Elmdon, near Cambridge, England. Charitable status was sought so that the collection and activities should be impersonally owned, preserved and administered on behalf of man - "the generic term for all humanity" (See Unity of Good 5l). The Trustees are all active students of Christian Science, who are under no personal direction but accept the unique authority of the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's writings. The Foundation is totally independent, has no membership, and is not affiliated to the church organization in Boston. There are at present six Trustees, who are actively working to reorganize this Library for use in its new location. It is in two parts, frst: Bibles, Commentaries, etc. and publications which originated during Mrs. Eddy's lifetime, and second: items appearing since 191b. The Trustees are aware of Mrs. Eddy's statements rclevant to the future pf Christian Science, and in particular what she says in Miscellaneous Writings, 106: "Christian Science and Christian Scientists will, zlsr have a history . ." This is a forceful statement" especially as the word 'must' is italicized. How are the Trustees to respond and fulfil the purpose of their Trust? We feel that this history must be written and explained from a "scientifically Christian" point of view. This story inevitably includes an embrace of worldwide developments. Whereas Christian Science advanced with remarkable spced under Mrs. Eddy's jurisdiction, after 1910 differences and disagreements led to the Great Litigation of l9l9-1921, which risulted in domination by the Board of Directors in Boston. Was this what Mrs. Eddy intended? Our view that it was not her intention rests on her vital clauses in the Church Manual and her conviction through experience "that material organization has its value and peril, and that organization is requisite only in the earliest periods in Christian history" (Retro. & Intro. 45). Our aim is to follow Mrs. Eddy's wise and loving counsel: "Drifting into intellectual wrestlings, we should agree to disagree; and this harmony would anchor the Church in more spiritual latitudes, and so fulfil her destiny. Let the Word have free course and be glorified. .Truth cannot be stereotyped; it unfoldeth forever" (I'lo and Yes 45). dissolution of every one of In the 1930s Richard oakes, a dedicated christian Scientist, began scientist Association; finally the the collection and later it was enlarged during his collaboration with these institutions into "voluntary associations"; Mrs' Eddy Gilbert carpenter Senior and Junior in the u.S.A. In 1983, when it moves to Concord, New HamPshire' opens with the publication of the 50s became pennanently established in England, it was titled CUruSrt.lX (2) 1891-1901, the ftfrf p"tioa Health in these years of voluntary SctexcB"RESEARcH LlsRAny. The collection comprises: edition of science and association; signiug of a "Deed of Trust Conveying Land for ( I Works written or supervised by Mary Baker Eddy ) Church Edifice"; twenty-one days later, at the request of Mrs' items (2) Biblical Church members met and Christian Science Eddy, "twelve of her students and (fj Uetapirysical writings by others on j,28 reorganized, under her jurisdiction" (church Manual a. I8). (4) Historical items Original edifice built and dedicated' (5) Biographies (3) 1902-1906, the sixth period begins with the 2,266 edition of the (6) Matirial relating to the Christian Science Church in Boston after textbook the chapters are now in their final order' The Mn. Eddy's jurisdiction continuing to the present day - - concord branch church and the Mother church Extension are (7) Miscellaneous items built and dedicated. (4) 190?.1910, the seventh period: in 1907 the final wording r ne resources of the Library have enabled the Foundation to appeared of the sruwer to the question' What is God? - this produce two publications: a CoMPENDILTM titled, Ifrc conthuity of question had been the first one in Mrs. Eddy's first class in the Cause of Christbn Science and a NnnneTIvE titled, Christlan fgZO; the 'T.Iext Friends suit' is filed; Mn. Eddy moves to Science: Mi.ry Baker Eddy "Trie Estimate of God's Mcssenger"' - Boston; The Christian Science Monitor is launched in 1908' Both publications are availablc free of charge flom thc address below- The COMpENDIUM begins with four Information Sheets relating to Donations towards the cosi of printing And postage are appreciatcd. A matters of concern to Christian Scientists. They are: ' German translation of the Compendium is also available. (l) Mrs. Eddy's own design in 1902 for the front and back cover of hardback editions of hcr books (discontinued in 1925) and the The border design on the front of this leatlet is a replica of that spiritual meaning of its symbolism' -christ, designed by Mn. Eddy in 1902, which was embossed on the covers of (2) Thc Church of scientist is formation and historical - hardback editions of her books from that date onward. In 1925, after evolution,pointingtoisspiritualsignificanceforalltime' the Great Litigation, the Board of Directors had it removed. The (3) The Churih Manial and the divine purpose of the clauses that detachcd olivi branch is based on the symbol used on the cover of the require Mn. EddY's conscnt. Christian Science Quarterly from 1904 until 1935; it has a 'heel' of (4) Mary Baker Eddy: "True cstimate of God's messenger'" bark, indicating that when planted it becomes ui individual ree. The twelve Parts and three Supplemcnts of this publication amount to Zechariatr, a prophct to the remnant of [srael who returned after the over 200 pages, expanding on these topics and including substantial 70 year exile, *iit s' "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, exhibits of factual material held in the Library' Behold the nran whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: . ' And this is a spirituat history of the discovery and founding The NnnneTIVE shall comi to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the Lord how is divinely impelled unfolding is of christian science, showing your God" (6:12,j,5). in the order of the seven days of crcation at the beginning of the Bible. periods beginning