For many centuries earnest thinkers have longed to see the church of Christ fulfill its vital purpose to unify and inspire all men through an understanding of Truth, God. The spread of Christianity since Christ Jesus was on earth has gradually brought enlightenment to mankind, showing how the spiritual qualities in human character may triumph over the lower. Jesus' early disciples demonstrated in some degree the supremacy of spiritual power over material beliefs. This explains the remarkable growth of the early church, as recorded in the second chapter of the book of Acts: "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
With the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866, and the publication nine years later of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Christianity entered upon a new era. Our Leader proclaimed triumphantly her Christianly scientific message, revealing the allness of God, Spirit, the perfection of God and His idea, man, and the consequent nothingness of matter. In proportion to our understanding of these facts comes the ability to make these truths practical. This includes the ability to protect the spiritual growth that goes on in the individual's thought and experience. Thus the prophecy of Christ Jesus is being fulfilled (Matt. 16:18): "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
In the Historical Sketch in the Manual of The Mother Church we read (p. 19): "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., is designed to be built on the Rock, Christ; even the understanding and demonstration of divine Truth, Life, and Love, healing and saving the world from sin and death; thus to reflect in some degree the Church Universal and Triumphant." The Church of Christ, Scientist, promotes the spiritualization of human thought and life. The material beliefs concerning man's origin and nature accepted by mortals for ages are the cause of all human difficulties.
