When Paul asked that significant question, ''Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" he used the word ''temple" in the same sense that Christ Jesus employed it when "he spake of the temple of his body." In primitive times a temple was not a building, but a place of observation whence an unobstructed view of the heavens could be had. This original meaning is still implied in our English word "contemplate."
The prophets of Israel were called seers because they looked beyond the testimony of the finite senses and recognized the existence of the invisible, all-powerful God who governs all created things. Their understanding of God is expressed in the text, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
Christian Science, the discovery of Mary Baker Eddy, reveals God as infinite Mind, the divine Principle of all that really exists. This Science derives its authority from the inspired Word of the Bible, and through its teachings mankind is now learning the meaning of those words, "Ye are the temple of God," and consequently to be ever conscious of His presence. On page 428 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," under the marginal heading. "Vision opening." Mrs. Eddy shows how this temple in which "the Spirit of God" dwells continually may be established on earth, both individually and collectively. She points out the way as follows: "To divest thought of false trusts and material evidences in order that the spiritual facts of being may appear, —this is the great attainment by means of which we shall sweep away the false and give place to the true. Thus we may establish in truth the temple, or body, 'whose builder and maker is God.'" It is certain that this illuminating statement could never have been written by Mrs. Eddy had she not perceived the coincidence between the divine and the human elements in the character and public ministry of Christ Jesus.
