Article September 25, 1915 Issue

Seven Churches of the Apocalypse

FLORENCE E. B. DONALDSON

There is no part of the work done by Christian Scientists that calls for more watchful care, more untiring vigilance, than that which has to do with the upbuilding of churches. Although this statement may be taken to refer chiefly to outward organization, it means rather the building up of the real structure, so clearly defined by our Leader in the Glossary of Science and Health (p. 583): "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, arousing 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."

In the many compound units which go to make up a part of what will ultimately unfold as the great whole of the one church of God, there are necessarily apparent different states and stages of the work which is being done. In the parable of the sower Christ Jesus taught his disciples the importance, or rather the necessity, of good soil; that is, an honest and good heart in which to sow the seed of Truth, before it could grow up to perfection and bear fruit. Through the study of Christian Science we see how a church or congregation, taken in the aggregate, resembles an individual, and has to work out its salvation, its purification from error of all kinds, in much the same way. It is equally apparent that honesty and integrity of purpose must be assured as a foundation for all right work. The church itself must be formed in the right spirit, with good intentions and pure resolves. The admission of new members needs to be carefully guarded. If purpose and motive are right in those who seek to join the church, they will not be likely to stray willingly or very far from the path of obedience and loyalty.

It has been said that Christ Jesus formed no church organization, and gave no definite instructions on this matter. He did, however, indicate his purpose when he said, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." We also see that as the revelation of the truth to Saul of Tarsus gave a mighty impetus to the cause of Christianity after the ascension, so the wonderful revelation to St. John on the isle of Patmos must have caused a great awakening and enlightenment, and have done much toward the progress and firm establishment of the early Christian churches. In the brief but comprehensive account of the mental condition of the seven churches of the Apocalypse, as given in the second and third chapters of Revelation, Christian Scientists will find everything it is needful for them to know about,—to lay hold of or to avoid,—in the compound mentality of a church organization. In the loving commendation and encouragement meted out to the respective churches, there is comfort and exhortation and hope for every representative of Christian Science. Good deeds, active work, patience and loyalty in times of trial and tribulation, the laying up of spiritual riches, the proof of steadfastness in times of stress, loving service, and unshaken faith, are all testified to as counted to their credit and to the accomplishment of the task allotted to them. They are waymarks on the road we have to take, and direct us on our journey from sense to Soul. There is something to be learned too in this manner of taking the good first.

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