IN Miscellany, Mrs. Eddy mentions a book written by Benjamin Wills Newton which had been presented to her. She says (p. 13): "When scanning its interesting pages, my attention was arrested by the following: 'The church at Jerusalem, like a sun in the centre of its system, had other churches, like so many planets, revolving around it. It was strictly a mother and a ruling church.'" Then she adds: "According to his description, the church of Jerusalem seems to prefigure The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston."
That Mrs. Eddy comprehended in its full significance the term "mother" as applied to the Church she founded is shown by her words and works. A study of the words "mother" and "Church" in her published writings will reveal the depth of this understanding, the qualities of mother love which she embodied and expressed, as well as her awareness of the spiritual nature of Church.
On page 583 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy gives this illuminating definition of "Church":
