Every branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, at some time or other, faces the problem of providing a suitable and representative church building in which to hold services. Those who are privileged to take active part in this progressive step should rejoice, because church building provides them with an opportunity for much spiritual unfoldment and mental growth.
In Proverbs we read:"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches." Much preparatory mental work is required by all church members before the building of an edifice can be successfully undertaken; and much wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual understanding must be manifested. We need the wisdom which does not mistake fiction for fact, the knowledge which goes beyond the testimony of the five material senses, and spiritual understanding which knows, and not merely believes, that, as the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews has it, "Every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." Discernment of the spiritual Church as defined by Mary Baker Eddy (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p.583),"The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle," is the primary requisite in church building.
Our Leader further defines "Church" as "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." Since church building is the result of the prayerful thinking which is going on among the members, and stands as a monument to the ever-present healing power of Christ, Truth, it will be readily seen that it represents more than mere money, translated into brick, wood, or stone. These will be forthcoming promptly and abundantly in proportion to the members' fidelity to the pattern "shewed to thee in the mount." When Christ Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," he knew that matter, however "fair to look upon, does not portray the spiritual and infinite, which cannot be cognized by the material senses, but must be spiritually discerned.
