From the first unanimous decision to organize as a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, on through every phase of church building, countless opportunities are provided for harmonious, consecrated working together of the church members. Each forward move should bring out a greater sense of unity and brotherly love, as well as a keener appreciation of the importance of each member's contribution. When finally the work is accomplished, the entire membership shares equally in the blessing of a work well done.
The spiritual aspect of church building, however, in relation to the individual student of Christian Science, is a distinctly individual experience. It is the unfolding of his increasing understanding of the divine structure of spiritual being, namely God, Spirit, as All-in-all and man and the universe as His perfect creation. In this way he is erecting or raising in his consciousness the scientific concept of the Church of God. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy gives the spiritual interpretation of "Church" as follows (p. 583): "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle."
Beholding Church in this light, the student gains a view of its infinity and magnitude impossible to attain in any other way. This divine structure stands complete, eternally resting upon the fatherhood and motherhood of God. It therefore needs no establishing, building, or beautifying. It requires no strengthening, stabilizing, or embellishing, for it is based upon the unwavering stability of divine Principle, the permanence of Truth, the limitlessness of Spirit, the unfading beauty and harmony of Soul.
