"CHURCH," as "the structure of Truth and Love" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 583), has existed throughout eternity as a complete idea in divine Mind. It remained, however, for our beloved Leader to reveal this truth to mankind. What a debt of gratitude we owe her for having untiringly nurtured her revelation until it could be presented to the world!
Paul, speaking of the coming of the day of Christ, which undoubtedly means the appearing in individual consciousness of the true spiritual idea, says, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first." There can be no question but that, because of Mrs. Eddy's unique spiritual tendencies through the years, because of her untiring search for the truth and her faithful practice of it in her life, there was accomplished a sufficient "falling away" of materiality in her thinking to enable her to perceive the true idea of "Church," which today is in a measure being symbolized by The Mother Church. Because of her faithful obedience to her spiritual sense of things, Mrs. Eddy remained steadfast in her effort to bring this idea to light. She did this regardless of all opposing human opinion, which to one less inspired and spiritually discerning might have seemed sufficient to constitute an impassable barrier.
In gratitude for Mrs. Eddy's discovery, many individuals have found opportunity to contribute in one way or another, mentally and financially. Surely, in each individual instance the giving, whatever its nature, was accomplished because there had first occurred in individual thinking a sufficient "falling away" for the Christ to have appeared. Through earnest, consecrated, strenuous effort the original edifice of The Mother Church was completed, a veritable testimony to the revelation of the Christ to the consciousness of Mrs. Eddy and of those of her followers who had likewise risen spiritually sufficiently to receive it.
