First Members

The “First Members” were twelve charter members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts when it was reorganized on September 23, 1892. They included the four members of the new Christian Science Board of Directors – Ira O. Knapp, William B. Johnson, Joseph S. Eastaman, and Stephen A. Chase – and eight others – Julia Bartlett, Ellen L. Clarke, Janet T. Colman, Mary F. Eastaman, Ebenezer J. Foster Eddy, Eldora O. Gragg, Flavia S. Knapp, and Mary W. Munroe. Over time this group expanded and their duties evolved, until they were eventually disbanded in 1908.

When the First Members were formed, one of their first acts was to admit twenty others to serve with the original twelve as First Members: Josephine Otterson, Augusta E. Stetson, Annie V. C. Leavitt, Caroline W. Frame, Elizabeth P. Skinner, Emily B. Hulin, Henrietta E. Chanfrau, Laura E. Sargent, Ann M. Otis, Mary F. Berry, Martha E. S. Morgan, Grace A. Greene, Caroline S. Bates, Emily Meader, Mrs. B. H. Goodall, Edward P. Bates, Calvin A. Frye, Eugene H. Greene, David Anthony, and Hanover P. Smith.

Over time, additional First Members were appointed. These First Members needed to live in the Boston area, and they shared in the responsibility of conducting church affairs with The Christian Science Board of Directors and Mary Baker Eddy.

While they appeared in earlier editions, the 10th edition of the Church Manual (1899) provided a clear list of the requirements for eligibility as First Members:

First Members Article V. QUALIFICATIONS AND ELECTION. Qualifications. Section 1. The First Members of this Church shall be persons who have proven themselves, in successive years, strict adherents to the doctrines and practice inculcated and set forth in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Number. Sect. 2. If the First Members become less than forty in number, they shall regain this number. Their whole number shall not exceed fifty. Residence. Sect. 3. The First Members shall reside within five hundred miles of Boston, Mass. Approval of Candidates. Sect. 4. Before being elected, the candidates for First Members shall be approved by the Pastor Emeritus over her own signature. Method of Election. Sect. 5. A First Member can be elected only by the unanimous vote of all the First Members. If it is not convenient for a First Member to be present, he shall mail a letter to the Clerk, in time to be read at the Church meeting for receiving members. Said letter shall contain the name of the candidate for membership, and the word yes, or no. The Clerk shall inform all the First Members of the purpose for which this meeting is called. The First Members so elected shall have the same power to act for this Church as the incumbents.(Church Manual, 10th edition, 26-27)

It also listed the duties of the First Members:

Article VI. DUTIES OF FIRST MEMBERS. Vote on Candidates. Section 1. At their semi annual meetings the First Members shall vote on admitting candidates, and shall transact any Church business that may properly come before them. Discuss Important Questions. Sect. 2. Important questions relative to Church members shall be discussed in the meetings of the First Members.Fix Readers’ Salaries. Sect. 3. The First Members shall fix the salaries of the Readers.(Church Manual, 10th edition, 27)

On January 9, 1901, the First Members relinquished their role in church government, passing their responsibilities on to the Board of Directors. On March 17, 1903, their designation became “Executive Members.” Then, on July 3, 1908, Eddy requested that the Executive Members be disbanded. (Eddy to the Christian Science Board of Directors, 3 July 1908, L00985) The current edition of the Manual states, "On July 8, 1908, the By-Laws pertaining to “Executive Members” were repealed."(Church Manual, 89th edition, 18)