Elections in Christian Science churches afford glorious opportunities to demonstrate that God's government reigns on earth. Christian Scientists can more fully utilize these opportunities through a better understanding of the true concept of Church and of heaven and the relationship of one to the other. In other words, the more they understand of the spiritual idea of Church and of heaven, the more they prove in their church work that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
In the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 583) Church is defined thus: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. 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."
A few pages farther on we find this marvelously illuminating definition (p. 587): "Heaven. Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul." Do not these definitions clearly reveal the relationship of heaven and Church, and the government of both by God, divine Principle? The spiritual idea of Church has its source in divine Love. Its government is "government by divine Principle," and its environment is "the atmosphere of Soul." Personal domination or preference, opposing wills, and selfish planning are no part of the true Church.
