The Manual of The Mother Church has governed the activities of The First Church of Christ, Scientist for more than a century. Its by-laws address the Christian foundation of individual lives and church activity, as well as church structure and governance. Author Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “...each Rule and By-law in this Manual will increase the spirituality of him who obeys it, invigorate his capacity to heal the sick, to comfort such as mourn, and to awaken the sinner” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany).
