When David, in the presence of the assembled princes of Israel, gave instructions to Solomon regarding the building of the temple, he charged him to "be strong and of good courage, and do it." David gave Solomon "the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, . . . and the pattern of all that he had by the spirit." These instructions implied that something beyond mere planning would be needed to bring the project to completion. Actually to do it would require strength and courage, devotion to duty, a willingness to go forward. Solomon was comforted, no doubt, by the further word of his father: "And there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service."
Christian Scientists have a task different from that assigned by David to Solomon. It is for them to erect in their own consciousness the spiritual temple, defined by Mary Baker Eddy on page 595 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in part, as, "Body; the idea of Life, substance, and intelligence; the superstructure of Truth." To build this spiritual temple calls for the exercise of spiritual courage and strength. As every human agency necessary to the erection of the temple was available to Solomon, so every spiritual quality essential to this "superstructure of Truth" is available here and now to all who would build heavenward.
The qualities of divine Mind are universal, infinite in their nature. Paul discerned the spiritual fact, or truth, about this holy structure, for in his first letter to the Corinthians he said: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? . . . For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Paul, in thus addressing his fellow Christians at Corinth, was unquestionably referring to their spiritual selfhood or true nature, the reflection of God. This spiritual structure is complete, established, perfect, because God's work is finished, and all that He made is good.
