There are two parts to the, definition of "Church" in the. Glossary of the Christian Science, textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." In the first part Mary Baker Eddy defines Church (p. 583) as "the structure, of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Our visible church structure and organization are types of this real, spiritual Church, which is grander than any architectural beauty and symmetry could possibly express.
The understanding of Church as a spiritual idea, which individual man includes, comes to us as we daily declare and prayerfully affirm the, spiritual facts concerning Church set forth in the, textbook. It comes to us through demonstrations of healing, through compassionate love for our fellow men, through joyful acknowledgment of God's infinite supply of good.
When we let ourselves be depressed by material circumstances, when we are tempted to indulge, in criticism and ill temper, when we allow fear and doubt to enter thought, our perception of the real Church becomes obscured and confused. Every suggestion of evil, whether obvious or subtle, which hinders us from, maintaining our spiritual vision of "the structure of Truth and Love" should be, challenged and rejected. If we are dishonest or insincere, we certainly cannot gain the understanding of Church as the structure of Truth. If we are unkind, impatient, lacking in charity, we are, not perceiving Church as the structure of Love.
