THE building and dedication of a church edifice by a branch of The Mother Church marks the end of one stage of activity in the Christian Science movement in the community and the beginning of another. From a small band of earnest worshipers, perhaps gathering first in the home of one of their number, the organization has grown through accessions of those enlightened and healed, and thence has progressed to rented halls or remodeled residence, and now to a goodly structure of its own, designed to symbolize in location, beauty, and fitness the Christian Science ideal of loving service to God and man.
This pioneer stage has probably seen a gratifying change in the attitude of the local public toward the new religion. The soft answer has turned aside the wrath of unjust criticism; opposition has given way to tolerance in the face of sin destroyed and sickness healed; and respect has been won by the evidence of Christian Science lived intelligently, sweetly, and worthily. The devoted workers rejoice in the achievement of these grand results, and may well pause at this point to view in retrospect the battles fought and victories won, and give thanks to God for triumphs many.
But what of the future? No Christian Science church can afford to pause overlong at any milestone, however important; its spiritual energies must not be depleted or checked through the indulgence of self-satisfaction. Should a Christian Scientist accept the belief or cherish the hope that either he or the movement could become static, he would be heading for trouble. The human mind is wont to set a material goal for itself, and having reached it to establish itself at that point. But this so-called mind is limited, inert, asleep, and contented with matter, while divine Mind is infinite and ever active, and thought which consciously reflects this Mind is dynamic, awake, progressive, and satisfied only with spiritual perfection. God demands perpetual progress.
