Article February 6, 1915 Issue

Support

DR. EDMUND F. BURTON

The definitions of church and of man as given in Science and Health (pp. 583, 475) are practically interchangeable; also the Scriptural description of man as the image and likeness of God stands good for church, while Paul's thought of church as the "body" whose head is Christ is equally applicable to man. In the definition of man, Mrs. Eddy says that he "reflects spiritually all that belongs to his Maker." Applying this to church means that the church reflects God's quality of omnipresence, as does also man. There is no place where God's church does not exist; there is no place where God's man does not exist.

Mortals do not fully grasp either the idea of unity or that of ubiquity, and they therefore see men here and there as their best conception of man. They also see the church as made up of separate organizations, various centers of Christian activity. It seems, therefore, that one of these church organizations and its problems may be treated in Christian Science exactly as a mortal man and his problems are treated. In such treatment mortality and separation are denied, and there is the declaration and realization of unity and divinity of structure, eternality and omnipresence of being; also of existence and sustenance based upon the conception of the one Ego, as expressed in various parts of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." These realizations and declarations applied to church as a divine manifestations show it to be eternal, comprising all that makes up harmonious and God-reflecting existence, indestructible, irresistible, resting forever on the rock, Christ, never in danger, never weak or ineffective, never in any other condition than that of manifesting divine Life and eternal vigor.

To regard the church as a material structure or organization, supported by matter, in danger from material loss or lack, as having a beginning and therefore in danger of having an end, that end which is depending upon the whim of mortal man, would be the same sort of malpractice as thus to regard one who is under Christian Science treatment. It would be to hasten its disappearance, since it would belie its name and nature. Moreover, thus to regard it would be to lose sight altogether of the real church in its symbol, to make an idol of the symbol and thereby doom it to destruction, for as a human organization its usefulness would soon come to an end, were a so-called Christian Science church to be conducted on the belief that it is supported by the money contributed by its members or that it is dependent upon their money for its existence. Christian Science declared and not practised, would fail utterly.

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