St. Paul deeply loved the churches he established. He wrote tender words of encouragement to the early Christians and strong admonitions to them to desist from practices which would undermine their purity and harm the church. To the Ephesians he said (5:25–27), "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
The primary purpose of the Church of Christ, Scientist, is to teach and demonstrate the Christ-healing of Jesus. Healing is a need of all ages and peoples, and the Christ-healing is possible to all who purify human thinking through the spiritual understanding of God. Many consecrated Christian Scientists throughout the world understand and demonstrate the spiritual teachings of the Master and enjoy the fruits of their obedience. Yet there are some who become advocates of Science for a season and then leave it. Others dabble with its teachings but never fully grasp them.
Why is this? Why do some profess a love of Truth but do not live it? Is it not because the allurements of the world seem more attractive or impressive? Such unresisted material-mindedness is animal magnetism, which reverses one's better intentions and holier aims and hinders spiritual understanding and healing.
