IN Miscellany, Mrs. Eddy writes these inspiring words to a branch Church of Christ, Scientist: "The praiseworthy success of this church, and its united efforts to build an edifice in which to worship the infinite, sprang from the temples erected first in the hearts of its members—the unselfed love that builds without hands, eternal in the heaven of Spirit. God grant that this unity remain, and that you continue to build, rebuild, adorn, and fill these spiritual temples with grace, Truth, Life, and Love" (p. 195). From the clarity of her own spiritual unfoldment, Mrs. Eddy here illustrates for all time the proper way to view church building.
It is interesting to note that Mrs. Eddy follows the word "build" with "rebuild." Church building, then, is a continuous process. It does not stop with the completion or dedication of an edifice.
Church building takes place in the consciousness of each individual church member, and the real Church each one erects in his heart is a spiritual temple, which Mrs. Eddy counsels us to fill with "grace, Truth, Life, and Love." Church building should be one of the foremost tasks of every Christian Scientist. The prosperity and future of our Cause depend on it, as do the regeneration and enlightenment of all mankind.
