Article October 14, 1922 Issue

The True Structure

CATHERINE BROOKS

Christ Jesus said, "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." The Christian Scientist, who is seeking to bring about the kingdom of heaven on earth, is learning what it means to be about constructive work, and will, if wise, guard against permitting a zeal "not according to knowledge" to attempt, prematurely, the overthrow of apparent evils in wholesale manner, before individual character has developed ability steadfastly to maintain wholly righteous ways of thinking and acting. Jesus could do this; but our consciousness must grow to the measure of his understanding, in order to emulate his example without perhaps disastrous results.

The definition of Church given in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, is in part as follows (p. 583): "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." It may sometimes appear that there is a divided thought among church members, and consequently the love and affection that should exist between those admittedly working for a common cause does not always seem to be manifested. It does not, however, necessarily follow, simply because on the surface there appear to be dissensions, that the members have lost sight of the fact that one person's interests cannot be separated from those of another; nevertheless, unless there be conscious unity among them they may find themselves like workmen who have labored industriously for many days to build a beautiful structure and all appears to go well, but each night some of them return, and under cover of darkness proceed to pull down much of the work done during the day. If this were continued, it is plain that if even only a few bricks were taken down each night the building would never be completed, or, at best, would be sadly delayed, so that a very long time would elapse before it could be ready for occupancy and the uses for which it was intended. This, of course, could scarcely occur with regard to a material structure, because the watchman would—if necessary—be on guard through the night. There should be mental watchmen also, even more urgently employed, to guard the structure which is building mentally, in order to keep out the enemies called criticism, condemnation, belittling, self-righteousness, and even slander, especially when directed towards those who have been elected to various offices in the church.

Christian Science calls each individual to the task of bringing his mental point of view into conformity with the Golden Rule; and it should be realized that after Readers, trustees, and others have been elected to office they are entitled to active and loving support from the members of the church they serve. It should be remembered that they have not asked to be elected. Sometimes, it may be, they do not greatly desire it; but having been thus honored with the trust, they generally endeavor to fulfill their sacred office to the best of their ability, rightly expecting the good-will and loving assistance of the church members. Also, those having appointive office—for instance, the various committees, the Sunday school superintendent and assistant, organist, and so on—have been selected, in the judgment of the board of directors or trustees, because of their fitness to fill these places. And we may rightly assume that they are also doing their best, sometimes under difficulties. True, it is possible the board might have used better judgment in certain cases; but so might we all, if we always realized the oneness of Mind! We must, however, first learn, to quote from an article recently read, that "Christianity unfolds grace within wherewith to undo evils without;" and until this desirable change in human consciousness has been effected, no amount of faultfinding or opposition to persons will accomplish any good results.

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