Article April 4, 1925 Issue

Christian Science Church Building Fund

E. HOWARD HOOPER

In many of the Christian Science branch churches throughout the world a building fund is maintained for the purpose of making improvements on Christian Science churches; and members of the churches and congregations are lovingly invited to participate in the work. While hearing such a notice read from the desk of one of our branch churches one Sunday, the writer recalled Mrs. Eddy's definition of "Church," as given in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," on page 583: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing 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." The question then arose as to what really constitutes the true building fund of a Christian Science church.

Webster defines the word "fund" as "foundation; groundwork; basis; ... an accumulation or deposit of resources from which supplies are or may be drawn." In the light of this definition the question then arose as to what is the foundation, the groundwork, or basis, of church. Is its foundation or basis the mere accumulation of money? Could such a structure be built on money alone? We might be tempted to believe so, just as Simon was tempted to believe that he might purchase the gift of spiritual healing from Peter. But money, being but a material symbol, and usually an outward recognition of service rendered, cannot of itself be considered the foundation, groundwork, or basis of a Christian Science church building.

Love for God and man must be the true foundation of a Christian Science church; and if we cannot build, it is because we are not manifesting sufficient love, and therefore are not healing the sick. What, then, does this call for contributions to our building fund really mean? May it not be a loving reminder to us to have that Mind in us "which was also in Christ Jesus," and to give freely of what we possess of truth and love? We cannot give to the building fund unstintingly, joyously, and freely if we are not daily overcoming error in our own experience. In proportion to our gratitude for the blessings that have come to us through our understanding of Christian Science, and for the joy, inspiration, healing, and consolation which we have derived from our church services, can we take part in the church building fund. The material temple will rise from the love, gratitude, and joy that constitute "the structure of Truth and Love" in our consciousness.

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