Nothing is more interesting to new students of Christian Science, especially those who are attracted to it as a religion, than to learn what really constitutes a Christian Science church, and what are the requirements of a profitable member and worker therein. On page 583 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy defines Church thus: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."
For many years after her discovery, Mrs. Eddy sought divine guidance in organizing a religious movement which should embrace the rules of Christian Mind-healing, and which should demonstrate to the world the divine Principle underlying this system of teaching and healing which had been so wonderfully revealed to her. Because of her steadfast reliance on God's guidance and the loving cooperation of a number of her earliest loyal students, The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, was established. All other authorized Christian Science churches and societies throughout the world are known as branches of The Mother Church; and these are likewise organized and established according to the rules laid down in the Church Manual, which rules our Leader, through her clear insight and revelation, saw were necessary to safeguard the denomination. As shown in her writings, Mrs. Eddy admonishes her students to rely upon the metaphysical facts of being instead of upon material sense evidence; hence her definition of Church as quoted above.
Speaking again of her church and the requirements of those who unite with it, Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 35): "Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love,—casting out error and healing the sick." Thus Christian Science churches can be organized and built only as those spiritual qualities of thought which constitute the perfect Church, as described above, are becoming understood and being adhered to with loving obedience by those who wish to organize or to become members of a Christian Science church. There must be a clear and correct concept of what constitutes the divine Principle, Love, upon which our Leader says the church must be built. Also, to be a reliable and helpful member of "that institution, which affords proof of its utility," one should understand clearly the fundamentals of Mrs. Eddy's teaching, be able to demonstrate, at least in some degree, their efficacy, and out of loving obedience be willing to conform to all the requirements necessary in order to be a loyal Christian Scientist; otherwise, he can never do much that will elevate the race.
