In time past the temple was considered a place of safety for all who sought refuge there. A man pursued by the law might, whether innocent or guilty, throw himself upon the steps of the church and so for a period find sanctuary.
While today it is no longer customary for one to elude the authorities of the land by seeking refuge in a church edifice, now as ever the temple of God is proving itself a sanctuary to all who in humility and trust turn to it for protection and strength. When one begins to identify himself with Church, from that moment he commences to build on the Rock, Christ. He begins to ally himself with God, good, and as a result to feel a sense of security and peace.
In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy defines "Church" in part as, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (p. 583). This ideal or purely spiritual Church is the "building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (II Cor. 5:1). All that constitutes this building is governed by divine Principle, Love, and nothing negative or unprincipled has a place there. Mrs. Eddy wisely completes the definition of Church as follows: "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."
