Christian science reveals the true idea of Church, in the words of Mary Baker Eddy, as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 583). As a spiritual idea, Church expresses the power and activity of infinite good, and is as ever present as its divine source or Principle. When so understood, and in response to the law of good, we express joyously and spontaneously, continuously and unfailingly, the spiritual activity of Church, which, as "the structure of Truth and Love," shows forth now and forever the absolute perfection of God and man.
In the outward or visible manifestation of Church, we find that in proclaiming "perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration" (ibid., p. 259), Christian Science constitutes a challenge to sin in its every phase and form; and it is the seeming resistance of the unreal carnal mind to this challenge that would hinder, delay, and prevent the orderly building and dedication of a branch church edifice. To build and dedicate a suitable structure for the worship of God, as He is understood in Christian Science, is to give practical effect to this challenge. The Church of Christ, Scientist, stands as a beacon light in the community. In it the honest seeker for Truth may find an ever-enlarging vision of God, Soul, who knows no sin, and of the eternal unity of God and man, as Principle and idea.
To be really live members of this church, we must one and all refute all error of belief as Jesus did, else our church will lack the substance of true worship and the spiritualization of thought expressed in positive and definite healing. Nothing less than the healing of both sin and sickness, through the growth of every member spiritually, can satisfy the demands of Principle, and evidence the real success of a branch church. When these divine requirements are joyfully fulfilled, and unity of purpose and accomplishment is demonstrated, nothing can prevent the growth of a branch church and its dedication in due season.
