Through the discovery of Christian Science by Mrs. Eddy the spiritual idea of Church is unfolded. Mrs. Eddy defines the spiritual concept of "Church," as, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Science and Health, p. 583; This spiritual idea of Church reveals all that is needed to free mankind from the thralldom of material living. Its supremacy is invincible, irresistible, imperishable. It corresponds to the kingdom of God in consonance with Christ Jesus' teaching. It was expressed by Christ Jesus in the church established for the pure purpose of inaugurating and maintaining spiritual and healing redemption, and today it is manifested outwardly in the Church of Christ, Scientist.
This Church, The Mother Church, was spiritually conceived and was established through discernment and demonstration of the spiritual idea of Truth and Love by Mrs. Eddy; it cannot be overshadowed by traditional beliefs, opposed by human powers, or subordinated to ecclesiastical laws. The Church of Christ, Scientist, is empowered to be the essential agency in the redemption of mankind.
Mrs. Eddy continues the definition of "Church" as it is evidenced in human experience: "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."
With the understanding of Church as wholly spiritual in origin, purpose, and authority, freeing humanity from the illusion of matter or evil, faithful students of Christian Science can cope successfully with opposing material theories and philosophies. They can demonstrate progressively their spiritual individuality and aid in working out the salvation of the world in practical experience.
Jesus' understanding of God as divine Principle, Love, was evidenced in the healing of sickness, the forgiveness of sin, and the utter destruction of death. These works proved the power of Christ by revealing the real, spiritual man of God's creating, the opposite of the unreal concept of man of mortal origin. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Jesus aided in reconciling man to God by giving man a truer sense of Love, the divine Principle of Jesus' teachings, and this truer sense of Love redeems man from the law of matter, sin, and death by the law of Spirit,— the law of divine Love." p.19;
The world's great need today is the saving grace of the spiritual reality of Church, showing forth the kingdom, power, and glory of universal Truth and Love. Naught but Christ, Truth, can enlighten human consciousness and purify it of the belief of man as material and reveal the perfect spiritual man as God's idea. The understanding of divine Principle, Love, which governs man, meets the human need through Christian Science in even.' respect, rejecting all material theories, with their spurious accumulation of personal ambition, pride, envy, sensuality, domination, and kindred selfish characteristics.
The perception through Christian Science of the spiritual structure, Church, operates in human consciousness to cleanse it of foreign beliefs acquired by false education. As one reasons from the standpoint of divine Principle, Love, which constitutes everyone's real being, one finds that the operation of Church motivates him to love his neighbor as himself and to do good in all his living. This love, springing from divine Love, is forever unfolding in thought God's creation and unveiling the falsity of the impressions of the physical senses. Paul gave all of God's faithful servants the comforting assurance that they are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom.3:24;
Proceeding from divine Principle, Church is enduringly changeless, harmonious, beautiful, complete. It is not merely a component part of individual consciousness but the predominating factor governing and directing human thought in accordance with the divine purpose. The real Church will always remain supreme in the consciousness of all who humbly accept it, and it will be effective in their demonstrations of pure and joyous being.
To the extent that we feel its sacred presence within us in holy living, we are conscious of its loving guidance, keeping us in remembrance of our unity with the Father and of His protection of us from the intrusion of whatever would appear harmful and discordant. Church is indeed our sanctuary, in which we may dwell free from all guile and materialism, with its debasing earthliness.
With the spiritual consciousness of Church unfolding unremittingly from our heavenly Father, we are able to discern and support what is appearing in the operation and progress of the activities of The Mother Church and its branches in their widespread redemptive work. Since we are ever gratefully conscious of the holy mission of The Mother Church to enlighten and restore mankind through its many activities and provisions, evidencing the all-embracing motherhood of Love, we shall cherish uppermost in thought the Christly spirit of healing in our daily association with others —in the home, in business, and in church affairs.
The consciousness of home and family should be spiritual and unified, and there will naturally be happy and harmonious intercommunication where unity of thought engendered by the Christ-spirit prevails. Discord, misunderstanding, untoward conditions, sickness, can be readily resolved and even forestalled through reliance upon the spirit of Church, abiding and abounding. The understanding of the presence and power of Church can be realized in all business relations, as divine guidance and direction are sought and the universal law of Love is honored and obeyed.
With unselfed love and a pure desire to serve in church activities, the church member will not permit suggestions of preference, rivalry, envy, or criticism to obtain a foothold in thought or to find a field of operation in any church activity. Such suggestions of animal magnetism can never gain a place in the sacred precincts of clear spiritual thinking. In whatever capacity church members may be engaged, they can joyously work together in constructive agreement with the one infinite divine plan to further the grand brotherhood of man exemplified in Christly fellowship.
Jesus laid the foundation of Church in the hearts and lives of those he taught. Since all are in reality one with God and His universe, everyone must eventually awaken to his spiritual being in divine Mind and be ever conscious of his glorious opportunities of beholding God's beautiful handiwork and enjoying the work of helping and healing his fellowmen through Christly service. We can be abundantly comforted and blessed in what the Psalmist assures us,"He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name."Ps.111:9;
On that momentous occasion when Jesus inquired of the disciples, "Whom say ye that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt.16:15-18; Through the purely spiritual understanding of it in Christian Science, we can see that Church is founded on the truth Peter perceived.
The carnal mind's enmity against God seems to try continually to reverse the redemptive healing work of Christian Science and to dethrone the supremacy of Church, stirring up conflicts between persons, institutions, groups, and nations. But our Leader encourages us in saying: "We have no enemies. Whatever envy, hatred, revenge—the most remorseless motives that govern mortal mind—whatever these try to do, shall 'work together for good to them that love God.' Why? Because He has called His own, armed them, equipped them, and furnished them defenses impregnable."Miscellaneous Writings, p. 10
The Word of Life and Love expressed in the hosts of God's living witnesses empowers them with the conviction of omnipotent Truth, unassailable and irresistible, and must be forever effective in accomplishing Christ's full redemption of mankind.
