Article June 12, 1926 Issue

Church Building

HENRY P. CAYLEY

THE growth of Christian Science in any community consists of a definite series of footsteps, rising to that grand culmination, the dedication of a church edifice. First, perhaps, two or three may gather together in one another's homes to read the Lesson-Sermon contained in the Christian Science Quarterly. Then, as friends and neighbors become interested as a result of healings that have been brought about through the truth which Christian Science reveals, the little band increases in size, until there is a sufficient number of loyal Christian Scientists to form a branch church, in accordance with the By-law on page 72 of the Manual of The Mother Church. The great desire of this ever increasing band of workers will then be to acquire land for their church building, and afterwards to build and to dedicate their church, if they do not otherwise secure a building suitable for their requirements.

When the problem of church building in a small community is being considered, a thought that must surely come to each of its members is one of gratitude for the great privilege of taking even the smallest part in this work. Those who assist in any way, even the humblest laborers, are doing a much greater work than merely helping to erect a beautiful edifice; they are building up, among the rocks and shoals of human ignorance and wrong thinking, a lighthouse which will illumine with the clear light of Truth the path for future generations. The church thus built typifies the true Church described by Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583) as "the structure of Truth and Love," which is indestructible and can never be harmed by evil.

It is only as Christian Scientists are guided by Truth and Love that they are able to do their part in church building; and each church member will often ask himself the question, What more can I do to bring nearer the day when this church will be devoted to God's service, free of all debt? Whatever the seeming difficulties may be, one thing is certain—these difficulties can be overcome; but the overcoming means that all who have this consummation at heart must do their part. All can do something; and doing means giving. They may give money; they may give time and labor; and, most important of all, they can give up the wrong belief that anything can interfere with God's work. This giving up means constant and consecrated mental work, and should be a principal offering to the church building.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Right Effort
June 12, 1926
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit