Sunday, April 18, 2010

The Laborer Is Worthy Of His Hire, But . . .

As long as the milk of generous contributions flowed freely, the Pooh-Bahs of the Mother Church were utterly (or udderly) content to batten at the Old Faithful of the Church Treasurer's breast. A disturbing ebb in this largess no doubt prompted the search for a more reliable, or at least supplemental, breast upon which to feed, and the quest for a sure-fire business model (though probably not the once-seductive Planet Waves model) was born. But, O dear, how the blissfully nursing infant recoils from any carking cares. Far better the warm security of some readily available milk from the maternal breast of the Mother Church or a convenient cash cow than the awful specter of weaning, which a scientific demonstration of true supply through Christian Science would require.



No one doubts that it is, to human sense at least, extremely difficult to make a living as a practitioner, which is probably one reason so many have left their impecunious home-town labors for the big payout that beckons in Boston, even if it means enduring the rough-and-tumble of the scrum in the MC office which dispenses CSB's, lectureships, and the occasional lagnaippe of high office. The rush to these bestowals ignores one sad fact of these deeply materialistic times, that it is pretty much a zero-sum game if one is looking for "honest seekers for Truth". Even the most generously endowed sow has only so many dispensaries. The perceptible decline in recent years in the quality of practitioners, teachers, and lecturers is one byproduct of this growth in the ranks of mercenaries who "have gun, will travel" (at your not-inconsiderable expense). It is also quite likely that the once careful, if not rigorous, vetting process for primary class pupils is as much a thing of the past as Bill Clinton's chastity. A mirror beneath the nostrils is probably sufficient for some teachers in our desperate times. Supply now seems to be routinely "demonstrated" in the pockets of the bamboozled, blandished, and befuddled.



Christ and Christian Science demand that each adherent demonstrate it. I certainly include myself in that number who could do this a whole lot better, but I know of nothing in the teachings of Christ Jesus or Mary Baker Eddy which authorizes a hypocritical priestly caste which is entitled to nurse parasitically in perpetuity on the milk of others' kindnesses, however voluntarily those kindnesses were extracted, rather than vigorously and clearly demonstrating spiritually and scientifically what they ostensibly stand (and get well paid) for.

29 comments:

NYC said...

Tremendous blog post. You haven't lost your touch. And a biting one at that when the case calls for it. As things "up there" seem to do these days.

Arizona CS said...

Ooh, but this is pointed. You have described what has sadly been the situation for too many years. Even when I worked at the Center a few years ago, who shall get one of the preferred posts to make a bundle seemed to be too prevalent to me. Probably has only gotten worse. Well, it definitely has. What do I mean, probably.

Anonymous said...

"Have gun, will travel" -- that's good.
You do have a way with words, I have to say that.
Really enjoy reading your blog.

Northern California said...

Very scathing, as some of yours tend to be. You do have one sharp pencil there. Nice phrase, "hypocritical priestly caste".
This about says it for me.

Thanks (Kansas City) said...

You are keeping their feet to the fire, aren't you? But these things need to be aired, and it looks like you have the talent to the that person.

Richmond, VA said...

Never know what you might tackle next. A most interesting blog posting today. Arrestingly written.

LowlyWise said...

As to your last paragraph:

If you set out to design a corruptible institution, you need look no further than the Manual provisions for the organization of the BoD: self-perpetuating, secret meetings, no accountability, effectively infallible, plenary powers -- what human organization could survive that with integrity intact? The answer is that it cannot succeed merely as a human plan. It would need to be constituted of individuals so spiritually imbued that they could act only as guided by God. Apparently MBE thought this was doable. What happened?

Practitioner (FL) said...

As to the previous commenter's question, in my opinion what happened is that they lost their Christlike humility--if they ever had it. Self has replaced Christ on the throne where they are concerned. And without humility our dear Leader tells us, we will miss the way.

Anonymous said...

And who would call these sycophantic suck-ups "laboreres?"

Anonymous said...

I think the Directors are trying to squeeze all the money they can out of the Field they do not respect by and large so they can pay off those who bow and scape, who are loyal to people in power, and keep silent before wrongdoing.
You described very well the current situation, I feel.

London (UK) said...

I'd love to see you debate some of those detracting commenters. Find a hall somewhere, and I'll show up. That would be worth a pretty penny to watch!

Anonymous said...

LowlyWise asked "What happened?".

One thing that happened is the Board of Directors ignored the more-than-two-dozen estoppel clauses in Mrs. Eddy's Church Manual.

Did Mrs. Eddy ever intend for the Board to be so powerful once she was no longer here to keep it honest (as the saying goes)? Or was her intent for the Board to let its power be limited to those enumerated in the Deed of Trust (in which there are no such estoppel clauses), once she was no longer here to supervise what appears as an incarnation of her Revelation?

Some Board members pleaded with her to remove those estoppels, but she stood firm, insisting that God wrote them and it was not for her to remove them.

Ever wonder why this particular controversy gets such short shrift in Board-authorized literature? But I digress . . .

Anonymous said...

Have you (meaning readers) taken notice that what Christian describes, and others here support, that has and is happening with the BoD can be seen reflected in what is happening in America today? If our Church were obedient to Mrs. Eddy's Manual and estoppel clauses and deeds of trust, thus demonstrating Church as Mrs. Eddy envisioned, think you America would be faced with the challenges it is today?
If we can but find our way back to obedience to our Leader, it is my opinion that we would also find our way back to constitutional government and the freedom Mrs. Eddy so embraced in her love for both Christ and the Constitution.
There is a connection.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to offer a quotation from a wonderful book that probably too few Christian Scientists have ever heard of or read. It is "Christian Science, Its Clear Correct Teaching," by Herbert W. Eustace, C.S.B. Mr. Eustace was one of the members of the Board of Trustees of the CS Publishing Society overthrown and excommunicated by the BoD because he stood loyally with his Leader and her Deed of Trust rather than yield to their power grab of the the CS Publishing Society back in 1918 and 1919. Let me quote, and see if this sounds like the arguments we are hearing from Boston today to appease those who attack CS on the basis that we deprive our children and perhaps ourselves of the benefits of medical aid:
"The effect of turning away in the slightest degree, from the direct line of Spirit is conclusively seen in the actions of those, who, while claiming to be Christian Scientists, eventually come out and declare, that the right practice of Christian Science, and the duty of Christian Scientists, is to join forces with materia medica. That is, in substance, they advocate the leaving of the healing of the body of the patient in the hands of materia medica, and the overcoming and quieting of the fear in the hands of the Christian Scientist.
"Could anything be a greater parody on Christian Science and its sublime power to meet every need, than this? Yet, is there much difference, really, between this frank, ridiculous declaration as to the right practice of Christian Science, and the plea of the Christian Scientist who argues for some concession or divergence to save himself the anguish of remaining true to his own understanding of Spirit as All-in-all?"
--Eustace, Chapter, "Why Am I A Christian Scientist?" pp. 658-659 (1929).
I'm sure we all have much growth to gain in our loyalty to our Leader and to the divine Principle of Christian Science. But at least a recognition of the claims of animal magnetism that we need to meet in this regard certainly helps our progress. We are told, "There is nothing new under the sun." There is certainly nothing new about the claims of error. But every generation must learn the lessons anew for itself. That is what makes it such a challenge to defend freedom, whether it be the freedom to practice spiritual healing or the freedom to be an American under our constitutional form of government.
To obtain this book you might write to:
The Trustees for the Complete Writings of Herbert W. Eustace, CSB, P.O. Box 7328, Berkeley, CA 94707.

Regular reader (OR) said...

You've certainly got a winner in this website,Christian. Such interest and participation. I congratulate you on having such a worthwhile enterprise here.
You are my favorite CS writer!

St.Louis, MO said...

Just love your website, Christian, and all the good you are doing for the Cause so many of us out here care so much about. I owe my very life to the teachings, to the God-given teachings, of that courageous, intrepid Mary Baker Eddy!

Kathy said...

I can see why so many like your blog, Christian. It feels real to me, so sincere and filled with worthwhile thoughts to help us in our pursuit of greater spiritual understanding.
Thank you for doing this work -

Boston suburb said...

God continue blessing this activity of yours, Christian. It is doing so much good in the Field.

Anonymous said...

I can't help wondering why, if what The Banner reprinted about that Director might not have been factual (and knowing Mr. Hartsook I can't believe he would publish something unless it had been thoroughly "vetted" as one commenter implied it might no have been), Mr. Black has not put out a statement disclaiming his alleged disgraceful performance?

Best wishes (Germany) said...

Christian Science is such a treasure to me, I applaud anyone who is working to purify things, who has the courage to speak out about conditions that are working against what our dear Leader gave to mankind.
Keep up your much-needed work.

Anonymous said...

((Have you (meaning readers) taken notice that what Christian describes, and others here support, that has and is happening with the BoD can be seen reflected in what is happening in America today? ))

How would obeying the estoppel clauses prevent the CSM from being a fountain of divisive reporting, as it is today, despite many people believing it reports only unbiased, unvarnished truth?

Anonymous said...

Here is my big gripe about the Christian Science movement today.

I don't think that politics is spiritually minded, but is it right to ask students to give up one side of politics only to be force fed another side of poltics through church periodicals, articles, prononouncements by the Board etc etc?

No, that is not right, just or honest. It is the blind leading the blind. I think that the lack of healing stems from that unexamined dishonesty in both leader and flock.

As Mrs. Eddy said, dishonesty forfeits spiritual power.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous wrote "I can't help wondering why ... Mr. Black has not put out a statement disclaiming his alleged disgraceful performance?"

Because the Board knows that most members read neither The Banner nor The Broken Net. The Board knows that there is still a critical mass of people with their heads in the sand, and willingly will refuse to read anything that's (after all) just a.m. talking . The Board knows that there are enough members who will continue to fund the church, who will swallow "the democracy of prayer" baloney without taking serious human footsteps to put a stop to the organizational monkey business.

And the Board loves the perks, including the hero-worship so many accord their Beloved Board.

Because the Board knows that there are enough drinkers of the kool-aid to keep the enterprise going for a little while longer. Only when that time has come, that the enterprise is utterly failing, will the Board evidence a little humility, but by then, it will be too late. R.I.P, T.M.C.

Anonymous said...

If board members were only there for a year or two, then certainly they would not be parasites, as you describe. But sadly a board member's appointment now has become a golden parachute --- and all around them who may someday 'move up' know it.

Here are the names and time served thus far:

Michael Pabst - less than one year
Margaret Rogers - more than two years
J. Thomas Black - more than five years
Nathan Talbot - more than six years
Mary Trammell - more than ten years

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe the crap that is going on under the cover of the MBE Library. I was researching another topic and stumbled on this:


http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/exhibits/my-life/sam-orange-village

Anonymous said...

You can't? I certainly am not surprised by anything that goes on under the cover of that "mistake"!
As with about everything else the Board does.

Anonymous said...

And what makes it all the more troubling is that crap like that is going on while the full body of Mary Baker Eddy's true legacy -- her writings -- are still not made available online and searchable by the very church she founded.

It's amazing how so many evangelist sites like Blue Letter Bible and others show their deep love and gratitude for the Word by beautifully clothing it and making a host of wonderful resources publically and freely available to study it.

Meanwhile all that the TMC makes available of MBE's writings is Science and Health and Retrospection and Introspection. The search feature for S&H is antiquated and cumbersome and it doesn't even catch the marginal notes. ALL Mary Baker Eddy's writings should be online and fully searchable. And with the wonders of technology many wonderful study aids could be provided, such as a parallel search of Mrs. Eddy's works and the Bible, like the parallel search feature at Bible Gateway.

It is a profound sorrow and shame.

Anonymous said...

What about Concord? You can still purchase that at your local Reading Room. That has nice search features, etc., and it's come a long way since it first came out in 5-1/4 floppy disks (many!). It includes the Bible and S&H, all of Prose Works, the Manual as well as the hymnal.

Anonymous said...

Should all the millions of hungry seekers out there have to buy Concord to thoroughly investigate Mrs. Eddy's writings?

It is a total disgrace that in this age of the internet Mrs. Eddy's works are not more openly available to all.