After one becomes interested in the teachings of Christian Science and begins to demonstrate its healing and regenerating power, he naturally looks forward to church membership as the next step of progress. Usually he is imbued with the happy feeling that the Christian Science church is the open door to finding heaven on earth. He has good reason for feeling this way, for on page 583 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" he finds Mary Baker Eddy's definition of Church. The first paragraph of the definition reads, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle."
Here is revealed the spiritual idea of Church as it eternally is. Here is the true concept which every Christian Scientist should strive to maintain in his thinking. Such spiritualization of thought results in greater unity and peace among church members, and it means an ever-increasing sense of strength and efficiency within our movement.
When our Leader continues her definition, "The Church is 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," she is not referring to the spiritual idea of Church. She is speaking of the material organization or the "outward and visible sign" of "the structure of Truth and Love."
