THE Church of Christ, Scientist, is built, not on the personal Peters who may be included among its members, but on divine Truth, individually perceived. It is the recognition of the spiritual idea that enables one to declare, as Peter did, "Thou art the Christ." Truth has always existed; yet, so far as the world's salvation is concerned, it is evident that the perception of the true idea by the individual is that which enables the operation of Truth to appear as a redemptive power. We know that the limited sense of spiritual perception in the Christian Church after the time of our Lord, and before the discovery of Christian Science, accounts for the lack of spiritual healing. Christian Scientists are the human witnesses by whom Truth is to-day being declared on earth in a scientific way; for every one who has perceived some gleam of scientific truth is to an equal extent a scientific Christian. In a certain sense, we may say, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels." From this it follows that Christian Scientists cannot idly rest upon the fact that absolute Truth exists. So long as there seem to be earthen vessels there will be work to do, if only to keep these vessels clean.
Reading the section on Theology, beginning on page 131 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we cannot fail to be struck by the way in which the conditions attending the founding of Christianity by Jesus were followed in the founding of the Church of Christ, Scientist, by Mrs. Eddy. The spiritual understanding of Truth was the rock on which the early Church was built. This understanding came to those fitted to receive it. Its appearing was a confirmation of prophecy; its call was to the followers of Truth to prove their faith by their works; its operation demonstrated the naturalness of what had hitherto been regarded as miraculous. Nevertheless, it was thrust out of the synagogues, and rejected by the religionists of the day. Such treatment, however, could not prevent its progress. Because it was founded on Truth, and was therefore practical and demonstrable, it spread throughout the world, and prospered where it was practiced.
The present organization of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, The Mother Church, with its many branches springing up all over the world, was an idea gradually unfolded under God's guidance to meet the universal need. The Mother Church, as Mrs. Eddy conceived it, is not a local church under a state charter, and with personal pastors for its preachers. It is the type of the church universal, spiritually governed by rules divinely revealed to promote the order and harmony of the movement, and to demonstrate justice, wisdom, and brotherly love. Its ideal is practice, not profession. Its sermons are the impersonal preaching of the Word of God, "uncontaminated and unfettered by human hypotheses" (Quarterly, Explanatory Note). Its membership is made up of Christian Scientists from all over the world, and consists of those who have proved for themselves, in their own regenerated lives, the power of Truth over error, and thus are ready to give spiritual service to those seeking Truth.
