Nothing can prevent The First Church of Christ, Scientist, from accomplishing its divinely appointed purpose. It has been established by Mary Baker Eddy, acting under the impulsion of divine Mind, to represent in human experience the divine idea, Church, and to express the presence and power of God.
In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy defines Church in two paragraphs. The first reads, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." The second continues the definition, "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." Science and Health,p. 583. Both of these paragraphs define Church and they are speaking of only one Church. The first paragraph defines Church as it divinely is; the second describes the appearing of this idea in the human institution.
The Church of Christ, Scientist, shows its coincidence with the divine idea, Church, to the degree that its members demonstrate "whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." The institution exists to serve, express, and glorify the ever-presence of divine Principle. Its whole purpose is to share with mankind the healing and saving Principle upon which Christ Jesus' life was based and his works were accomplished. The By-Laws established by Mrs. Eddy in the Manual of The Mother Church govern the Church and are themselves an outcome of divine Principle. In a published reminiscence, an early worker in Mrs. Eddy's household noted a saying of Mrs. Eddy's that attests to the divine origin of the By-Laws. Mrs. Eddy said, as the worker recalls: "Every By-Law in the Manual is inspired. I did not write them any more than I wrote Science and Health [showing that both came to her through revelation]." We Knew Mary Baker Eddy (Boston: The Christian Science Publishing Society, 1979), p. 117.
