Article April 8, 1916 Issue

Cooperation in Church Building

SELENA HARRISON

Every Christian Scientist has a mental concept of the true church,—that which expresses gratitude, love, helpfulness to mankind, and praise to God. Our church is a divine idea, and as each one realizes this, and daily asserts the truth that man is made in the image and likeness of God, each will reflect in increasing measure the wisdom, the activity, and the intelligence that are imparted by spiritual understanding. He will also know that he cannot be made to respond to the false sense of apathy, insufficiency, or personality.

True cooperation means to turn away from personality and be guided by divine Principle only. In "MiscellaneousWritings" (p. 291) Mrs. Eddy says, "The notion that a mind governed by Principle can be forced into personal channels, affinities, self-interests, or obligations, is a grave mistake; it dims the true sense of God's reflection, and darkens the understanding that demonstrates above personal motives, unworthy aims and ambitions;" and on page 174 she says that Principle "moves all in harmony." Cooperation means more than working together to one end; it implies a clearsighted vision of complete and perfect expression of thought, whether it result in the rhythm and harmony of a symphony, in the form and color of a beautiful painting, or in the fitness and dignity of noble architecture. More than this, one must have an understanding of perfected details, a comprehension of their relation to one another, and this should be governed by a spirit of active and timely interest in the fulfilment of the idea. God's promises are for now; the assurance of everpresent help removes any sense of disability.

In our church building we are all "lively stones;" each one is needed in the structure and Christ is the master builder. Our Master said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." To build high, and to build firmly, the stones must be fitly compacted with the enduring cement of brotherly love and kindness. Without this permanent bond of union the building could not stand the test of time and changing conditions. In cooperation there is a continuous and generous giving out,—a giving of thought, time, service, money, and never-failing interest and love. Who is there among us who cannot spare something from his share of God's blessings,—a portion of one or all of these possessions? We are told that "God loveth a cheerful giver," and as there are "diversities of gifts," each has something to bestow. It may be encouragement, kindliness, toil, material means, or that highest ministry of all,—healing. Every good gift is welcome in the storehouse of God's treasury.

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