METAPHYSICAL MEETING, February 20, 2012
Contents
| - Topic | |
| - Call to the meeting | |
| - Readings | |
| - Member contribution A | |
| - Member contribution B | |
| - Member contribution C |
Topic
Church Manual, Article VIII, Sections 3 and 14
Call to the meeting
During the coming year, The Christian Science Journal will be exploring some of the bylaws found under the heading “DISCIPLINE, Article VIII, Guidance of Members” in the Church Manual. We are being encouraged to take a fresh look at the Manual, be inspired and guided by the divine direction these and the other bylaws offer, and share our insights into how following these rules is guiding us to a fuller life practice of Christian Science.
The January issue addresses the bylaw Article VIII, Section 14, “Church Periodicals”. We all have had numerous healings and spiritual insights and growth from our marvelous periodicals. Please share a healing or some new inspiration that you received from your study of the periodicals, this “continuing education” as Christine Driessen puts it in her article focusing on this bylaw. Why do you think it is important to follow this bylaw?
The February issue, in an article by Tony Lobl, addresses Article VIII, Section 3, “Christ Jesus the Ensample.” The word “ensample” as a noun is defined as “an example; a pattern or model for imitation.” As a verb it means “to exemplify; to show by example.”
What does this bylaw mean to you? Have you ever had a healing or experience using this bylaw that you would like to share? How should we be obeying this bylaw more fully?
“Since the author's discovery of the might of Truth in the treatment of disease as well as of sin, her system has been fully tested and has not been found wanting; but to reach the heights of Christian Science, man must live in obedience to its divine Principle.” (Science and Health vii:27)
We look forward to having you with us on this special occasion.
Readings
a) Manual Article VIII, Section 3, Christ Jesus the Ensample:
Matt. 3:1,2,11,13-17 Then
John 12:20-23,26
I John 5:1
S&H 332:19,23-26 He,29
b) Manual Article VIII, Section 14, Church Periodicals:
My 353:8-19
Rom. 10:1-4, 13-15 Whosoever
Hymns 221, 251, 2
Member contribution A
a) Church Periodicals
Our church periodicals are on my daily prayer list. I pray for them and try to read them every day. This bylaw indicates that these magazines are “organs” of our Church. The word “organ” is from a Greek word meaning “tool” or “instrument”. So, our periodicals are tools for us to use in furthering our understanding of Christian Science. I am also interested in Webster’s explanation of the word in the synonym section: “Organ suggests a functioning part of a larger especially organic whole, or more specifically, a means of communication...” To me, this says that our Church and our participation in church are not complete without our Christian Science periodicals.
In I Chronicles 29, King David tells his council of princes how much he is giving of his personal wealth toward the building of the temple. The princes follow his example and give willingly. Then, in David’s prayer, he acknowledges that his wealth, including that which he is giving for the temple, comes from God: “...who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” (I Chron. 29:14). Basically, David is recognizing that his personal wealth is a reflection of the abundance of God. This relates to the phrase in the bylaw, “...who can afford it...” and to Mrs. Eddy’s desire, recorded in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, “My desire is that every Christian Scientist, and as many others as possible, subscribe for and read our daily newspaper” (My. 352:29). It seems that if a member of The Mother Church is saying that s/he can’t afford to subscribe to the periodicals in his or her own name, s/he is limiting the abundance of God, saying that God doesn’t have the abundance for every member of The Mother Church to subscribe, or underwrite, these vital organs. I note, too, that she expects us to read them.
The passage following that quoted above from Miscellany is Mrs. Eddy’s definition of each periodical. The Journal puts on record divine Science; the Sentinel holds guard over Truth, Life, and Love; the Herald proclaims the universal activity and availability of the Truth; the Monitor spreads undivided the unlimited operation of Science. There’s a certain progression here: to record, guard, announce, and spread Science. Each periodical has its place and each is needed to maintain the progression of making Science available to the world.
Taking it a bit further, I’ve often wondered if the Monitor could be considered as monitoring the progress and results in human consciousness of the recording, guarding, and proclaiming that the three religious magazines accomplish. I wonder if the news stories in the Monitor are the essay test results of the impact of Christian Science on the world. It’s noteworthy that the Monitor’s purpose is not to spread the news, but to spread Science, or true knowledge.
Finally, in Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, “The author has not compromised conscience to suit the general drift of thought, but has bluntly and honestly given the text of Truth. She has made no effort to embellish, elaborate, or treat in full detail so infinite a theme. By thousands of well-authenticated cases of healing, she and her students have proved the worth of her teachings” (S&H x:11-17). So, she didn’t see Science and Health as treating the infinite subject of Christian Science in full detail. How is it going to be done? Through our periodicals. As her students, we need to join the effort by supporting our periodicals through subscription and writing.
b) Christ Jesus the Ensample
I was interested in Tony Lobl’s article in the Journal relating this bylaw to the work of the Committee on Publication. It broadened my perspective.
To me, this article reminds us that Christ Jesus is the example we follow, trying to emulate him in all aspects of our lives. It demands that we aren’t careless about comparisons with him, which to me means that we need to be sure that we really are imitating him, rather than going through the motions. It calls for sincerity. We need to be honest when we say we’re basing our lives on his example. Irreverent reference could include the common vernacular of using Jesus or Christ expletives. It seems like the entire bylaw is asking us to “return blessing for cursing” in our dealings with those who don’t think like we do. The punishment for not following Christ Jesus’ example is harsh – possible dismissal from The Mother Church. That got my attention!
Member contribution B
a) Church Periodicals
It’s important to follow this bylaw because they bring a little dosage of happiness each day, a reminder from God that He’s always here. I learn that there are other people out there who are having healings and that even though it might seem like I’m the only Christian Scientist in my area, I’m not, and I’m not alone.
b) Christ Jesus the Ensample
The bylaw means to me that you should love not only Jesus but God in everything you do and you wouldn’t take your friend’s name in vain. You wouldn’t take your mother’s name in vain. You wouldn’t take your own name in vain. So, why would we take Christ Jesus’ name in vain. I think this will make me more cautious of what I say, because I feel that I can achieve more and be more connected with Christ Jesus by honoring him rather than blaspheming him. It was interesting to learn that I could get kicked out of The Mother Church if I swear using Jesus’ name.
Member contribution C
a) Church Periodicals
Why is this bylaw important? To me, it’s vitally important because the periodicals provide a means of keeping in touch, being up to date, expressing new ideas, keeping each other informed, making certain that the standards of Christian Science are maintained. Without the periodicals, there is no circulation of ideas and a lack of resources so valuable to individual progress.
I have found inspiration and healing in so many articles over the years. They’ve helped me to understand Bible references better, they’ve helped in Christian Science treatment, they’ve provided straightforward healing ideas.
It’s not always the words alone that provide the healing message. I remember in my student days a Sentinel cover having a large drawing of a butterfly, with words of inspiration printed across the drawing. I don’t recall those words, but I do recall that I was not feeling well at that time, and immediately my thought rose when I saw that Sentinel cover, and I was well. The illustration and the words referred to an article in that issue of the Sentinel written by a gentleman who was a long time practitioner in the city where I went to school, and I was able to report that healing to him.
b) Jesus the Ensample
The article by Tony Lobl in the Journal of February 2012 speaks specifically about the bylaw with respect to avoiding a comparison of Mrs. Eddy with Christ Jesus. She clearly did not see herself that way.
On the other hand, the bylaw doesn’t explicitly say anything about Mrs. Eddy. It speaks only about “Careless comparison or irreverent reference to Christ Jesus” as being abnormal and prohibited. That can have broad meaning relating to any incorrect reference to Christ Jesus, and any form of comparison between Jesus and any individual.
This bylaw also says much about the wisdom of dealing compassionately with anyone who criticizes Christian Science. This is when a call to the Golden Rule is important, to ensure that we see each individual as one of God’s children, regardless of their background, teaching, or opinions.