I THINK of the early Christian Church as a spiriutal workplace of healing. Whereever they found themselves, those first Christians shared the truths they'd learned from their Teacher, Christ Jesus, and healed people through the power of God, just as he had done.
Today, the Church of Christ, Scientist, which is based on Jesus' words and works, continues in the tradition of original Christianity. When students of the Science of Christ actively follow Jesus' example—wherever they are, whatever their occupation—they are furthering the work of church, explained this way in Science and Health: "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 .
I had an opportunity to bring these benefits of church to a business endeavor I was involved in some years ago. I had negotiated a real estate exchange that eventually necessitated my taking over the management of a roller skating rink. The rink had a bad reputation and a host of problems. The business wasn't profitable, employees were stealing money, gang members were intimidating customers, and children as young as ten were smoking cigarettes they had purchased from a vending machine at the rink.
