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。