CHURCH building is a continuous operation. "Church," defined in part by Mary Baker Eddy on page 583 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle," must forever unfold as an immortal idea in Mind. So, when the time comes for Christian Scientists in a community to give visible expression to this idea, there is much more than merely a material edifice to be considered. There is, first of all, the metaphysical work to be done in each individual consciousness, much debris of mortal opinions and old ideas of Church having to be cleared away before laying the foundation.
When Solomon began to build the temple he sent to Hiram, king of Tyre, to secure his cooperation; "and the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon." Surely a good foundation to build upon! In the description of the building of this temple it is stated, "And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building." Could there be any counsel better than this for building a church? Each stone or thought should be made ready before it is given expression, so that there will be no clamor, no noise of conflicting opinions, while the cherished idea is unfolding. Thus will unfold on the foundation of peace the perfect concept, which is complete and finished in the realm of thought. But even when the last stone is built in and the material structure completed, even after it is dedicated our work is not finished, for, as Peter says, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house." As such, our building goes on—the building of higher hopes and aspirations, broader views of true religion and service, more beautiful ideals, wider charity, and a love that knows no limitations.
The branch churches are the tributaries of The Mother Church. The Psalmist sang of "a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High." So, also, our work is to make glad, to spread joy, to make earth a holy place; and as we do this we shall find that God is guiding all righteous endeavor. We carry our concept of Church with us wherever we go, and thus our church activities, mentally regarded, are not confined to a single place. "The Church," to continue our Leader's definition, "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." Unless we are fulfilling these conditions we are not truly building our church.
