I beg to inform my beloved members of the Mother Church that the By-law in Article XXVI of its Manual does not require members of benevolent and progressive organizations, such as Free Masons, Odd Fellows, temperance societies, and those of similar cult, to resign this membership. It specifies in plain English that after individuals become members of our Church they shall not thereafter 'be made' members of clubs or other organizations not named in its Manual, and wherefore? Because our religious denomination demands the faithful attention and labor of its members in all philanthropic, therapeutic, and progressive Christian work for the human race, and relies upon the adequate, scientific Source and resource therefor.

NOTE: The original wording of the By-Law that was introduced in 1904 as Article XXVI read:

"Church Organizations Ample. Members of the Mother Church shall not be made members of Clubs or organizations, 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 storehouse."

Later in 1904 the wording "not named in the Manual of the Mother Church" was removed from the "Church Organizations Ample" By-Law, but similar wording was reintroduced in the "Promotion of Peace" By-Law in 1908. Later in 1908 the "Promotion of Peace" By-Law was renamed "Joining Another Society." That By-Law now reads,

"Joining Another Society. Sect. 16. It shall be the duty of the members of The Mother Church and of its branches to promote peace on earth and good will toward men; but members of The Mother Church shall not hereafter become members of other societies except those specified in The Mother Church Manual, and they shall strive to promote the welfare of all mankind by demonstrating the rules of divine Love."

To better understand why Mrs. Eddy originally wrote the "Church Organizations Ample" By-Law, you can read an editorial that appeared in two different issues of the Christian Science Sentinel during the month of April, 1904. The Editors wrote in an article entitled, "Churches Losing by their own Offspring,"

We publish it again by request, and in doing so call attention to the fact that the views expressed are in harmony with the Mother Church By-law, "Church Organizations Ample," which appeared in last weeks' Sentinel.

To read that Sentinel editorial, browse http://www.biblecom.com/articles/s006p552.htm.