Article March 5, 1904 Issue

Scientific Building

BLANCHE H. HOGUE.

The church edifices of Christian Science stand before the world as type and symbol of the Cause which they represent. Everything which man constructs may be traced to its mental cause, and every visible effect gives direct evidence of the quality of thought underlying its expression. Because all building is in accord with the motives from which it springs, it expresses the desires and purposes in the hearts of men.

The church buildings of Christian Science are being erected by the combined efforts of two classes of people: those who had previously supported religious work and worship, and those who had never before known awakened interest in the promotion of church matters. The message of Christian Science has offered to each of these great classes something which has united them in a glad effort to establish the work of this movement; and the message must be building a kindred satisfaction into the lives of these people, else it could not draw together, in a new and common purpose, such differing elements. The evident conclusion is this: that the men and women who are contributing under this new regime toward the erection of Christian Science Church buildings, are testifying to a regenerative and reconstructive experience in their own lives, and they voluntarily and joyfully co-operate in this, because they desire, unselfishly, that the same liberation from the bonds of sin and disease shall enter the lives of their fellow-men.

A student of Christian Science once said, in analyzing this question of church building, "It is not money, but that process of thought which relinquishes the love of money, that is building the Christian Science churches." This strikes at the root of the matter, in that it defines the transition from sordid interests to the awakened unselfishness which delights in giving its possessions for the interest of humanity. As one's desire for the things which money can buy gives place to the desire to "seek first the kingdom of heaven," it is then a work of love to support all which tends toward the establishment of that kingdom. Christian Scientists give, because they love. It is wise and right to provide attractive buildings wherein their fellow-men may gather with them to know more of the Christ who saves and heals and delivers; and so they give the best they have that this may be more widely accomplished. The man who fails to give through the fear that his own supply may be diminished, is like one who dares not aid in opening his neighbor's windows toward the sunshine lest his own house should thereby be robbed of light.

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