Editorial November 22, 1913 Issue

Sanctuary

Annie M. Knott

In the study of the Old Testament we find that the word sanctuary was used to describe the temple at Jerusalem, and more specifically what was known as "the holy place." It has also been extended so as to include all places of worship, and has in addition the significance of "a sacred and inviolable asylum; a place of refuge and protection." The word has also been given in Scripture a profound metaphysical sense which is far broader than that implied by any edifice, however sacred, as for instance in this passage from the Psalms, "Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion." If we read the definition of "children of Israel," and also that of "Judah," in the Glossary of Science and Health (pp. 583, 589), the spiritual meaning of this text is gained, and we shall readily see how the idea of protection and security is related to it.

In our own time the church, whatever it may mean to different religionists, has come to take the place in thought once given to sanctuary, but it is possible that we do not think as we should of the protection and security inseparably connected with the true concept of church. Here it may be well to note that in the very midst of his healing work Christ Jesus paused to declare for the founding of his church upon the recognition of the ever-present Christ, as made manifest in the divine fulness in his mighty works. The great Teacher and healer was practically excommunicate from the church of his fathers, and those who confessed to faith in his teachings were "put out of the synagogue." It would seem that some of the disciples were influenced to a certain extent by the views of outsiders respecting their Master, but when Peter boldly avowed his faith the Master declared that it was not flesh and blood which had revealed the Christ to Simon Peter, but the Father in heaven. Following close upon this statement in the sixteenth chapter of Matthew, we find in the eighteenth chapter definite instructions as to the rules and discipline of the church then established, rules which were embodied by our revered Leader in the Manual of The Mother Church, and which aim to make the church of Christ a true sanctuary and place of refuge from all evil.

There are some who hesitate about identifying themselves with our church, because, they say, Christ Jesus did not require church-membership of his followers. This is, however, a great mistake, for Paul tells us that Christ "loved the church, and gave himself for it; . . . that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." We read that the early believers began to establish the church in their homes, as so many Christian Scientists have done, and everything goes to show that Jesus' followers at that day were fully alive to their privileges and their obligation to give themselves to the work of establishing "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." Mrs. Eddy's definition of church (Science and Health, p. 583) is so often quoted that it needs no mention here, save to say that it tells of a sure sanctuary for all who are oppressed.

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