Church building in Christian Science is not considered an ordinary building enterprise. In Christian Science, church building indicates that healings have taken place—that the sick have been restored to health, the sorrowing comforted, those dead in trespasses and sins raised, and the demons of false belief cast out—indeed, that our Master's injunction to his followers has been obeyed to some extent. For it is the impulsion of grateful hearts that makes Christian Science church edifices rise. And Mary Baker Eddy clearly states in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 162), "Our proper reason for church edifices is, that in them Christians may worship God—not that Christians may worship church edifices!"
Building in its Christianly scientific sense is a great challenge to rise above the evidence of the material senses, not to think or act in conformity with them. It means to look for "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"(Hebr. 11:1). In Romans(8:24) we read, "We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" Mortal mind, ignorant of "things not seen," opposed to Christ, and always keeping in the line of matter, would suggest only material ways and means, human policy, and worldly planning to accomplish the task of building.
If the tempter's argument is discerned and rejected, the members will not be deprived of the wonderful inspiration which spontaneously comes to each loyal and sincere worker when the membership, after prayerful consideration, decides to build. Each member individually should feel the challenge to prove the power of Mind over matter and of Soul over sense; to demonstrate, in the face of seeming limitations and obstructions, the affluence of Love.
