The Church of Christ, Scientist, demonstrates the universal laws of Life, Truth, and Love, which triumph over all that opposes the Christ, God's infinite idea. This Church expresses the element which is needed to uplift, regenerate, and heal the wounds of the world. The unifying element is the operation of divine Love embracing all in the universal family of God's creation.
The triumph of Spirit over materialism is a goal of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, and of its branches throughout the world, and its loyal members work individually for this triumph.
Paul said, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" I Cor. 3: 16 This temple is exemplified in a practical way when the teachings of our Master, Christ Jesus, are lived and loved. He taught the supremacy of Spirit and the universal law of Love, which frees mankind from the dream of suffering and discord. He taught humanity how to prevail over the claims of bigotry, ignorance, and hate through the wholehearted recognition of the Christ power. This teaching, upon which Mrs. Eddy founded her Church, will, when obeyed and acknowledged, bring into view the church triumphant. In "Pulpit and Press" Mrs. Eddy says, "No longer are we of the church militant, but of the church triumphant; and with Job of old we exclaim, 'Yet in my flesh shall I see God.'"Pul., p. 3
A Christian Science practitioner received a telephone call from a friend in a distant city who said her church was not bringing to her the joy she had felt when she first joined it. She said that the church was manifesting discord and limitation and that work on building improvements had reached a standstill. As the practitioner's thought turned to God, the first part of Mrs. Eddy's definition of "Church" in Science and Health came to mind, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Science and Health, p. 583
The friend soon recognized that she had allowed a personal concept of church to creep into consciousness and had accepted it as real. She decided at once to change her basis of thinking and uphold the true sense of Church, set forth by Mrs. Eddy in her definition.
The joy, inspiration, and purity of thought thereafter expressed by her produced a remarkable change. She found herself to be more loving, compassionate, and forgiving; she enjoyed happier relationships with her fellow members; and she was invited to serve on the building program.
As she lovingly shared with other members of the church, and especially with those on the committee, her unfoldment of what Church means, the oneness of purpose and effort brought rich fruition. In a very short time this church was manifesting abundant supply, and the work to improve the building was completed.
Through this experience the Christian Scientist learned that the temple of God can never be touched, threatened, or deterred by the aggressive suggestions of apostasy, disloyalty, or disobedience. Mrs. Eddy states: "The verity of Mind shows conclusively how it is that matter seems to be, but is not. Divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas."p. 123
When Life, Truth, and Love purify thought, beliefs of lack, selfishness, sensuality, revenge, organized evil, envy, and personal idolatry are seen to be thoughts of mortal mind, powerless to impede the Christ-idea. Turning one's thought Spiritward, the temple of God becomes a reality to one, and church and triumph are correlated. Spiritual Church is a divine idea, which man, God's reflection, includes. The divine nature of God is then comprehended, and the church triumphant becomes evident not only in the progress of our branch churches, but in peace in the home, in prosperity in business and employment, and in happier human relationships.
As the individual vigorously resists the encroachment of the carnal mind, his spiritual triumphs are assured. As his thought is spiritualized, he proves divine dominion. He demonstrates the triumph of Mind over matter, Love over hate, Life over death, and Truth over error. His victory over the beliefs of inertia and apathy proves what he knows of God and encourages the hope found in the hearts of men throughout the world for the love and health and peace which the church triumphant can bestow.
