Editorial January 16, 1926 Issue

"Except the Lord build the house"

Albert F. Gilmore

The futility of human activity, except it be to the glory of God, is set forth with much emphasis in the sacred Scriptures. The vanity of human endeavor, except in obedience to God's commands, was ever in the thought of the ancient prophets and seers. The Psalmist put concrete examples in these words: "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." Unless it be recognized that all are under the protection of the Eternal, the service of watchmen is of no avail. How imbued with the necessity of looking to God for His guidance and protection in all human undertakings was the sweet singer of Israel!

Unless those who are engaged in human enterprise seek divine direction and God's watchful care, such undertakings can never serve their highest purpose. To do merely for the sake of doing, or for the service of selfish ends, were to fall far short of true accomplishment. They, indeed, labor in vain who labor to build without a clear understanding of their purpose; and if the purpose be not to serve God, then the motive is unworthy and can never attain the highest success.

Christian Scientists who are confronted with the problem of church building make sure that the work is undertaken with the right motive; make sure that its purpose is to serve good, that their desire is to erect an edifice which shall be for the glory of God, rather than to satisfy an ambition to worship in a costly edifice, the chief appeal of which is to the human sense of architectural harmony and beauty. This does not imply that these qualities, which should find expression in every edifice, are objectionable in themselves, but that they should be subordinated to the chief aim, the building of the Lord's house.

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