Article September 29, 1928 Issue

The Temple not Made with Hands

HILDA WINIFRED HATCHARD

The Church of Christ is not a material edifice; it is entirely spiritual, "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle," as our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, defines its spiritual meaning, in part, on page 583 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." The edifices or temples to be found in almost every land are necessary as places of worship; but they symbolize the real Church of Christ only in so far as they represent the true spiritual thoughts and aspirations of the members of the church.

"The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., is designed to be built on the Rock, Christ; even the understanding and demonstration of divine Truth, Life, and Love, healing and saving the world from sin and death," as our Leader tells us on page 19 of the Manual of The Mother Church. As members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, each has his own place, a place that cannot be occupied by another, and work that no one else can perform. Sooner or later each one must take his stand and begin to do his part in the building of the universal church, which, as Paul said, is "an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

The building of the true Church is thus taking place in consciousness; and every true thought and every demonstration of good may be likened to a brick put in its place in a building. No right thought or act, however insignificant it may seem to be, is ever wasted. It may be as small as a grain of the earthy matter that helps to form a brick, but it exists forever as part of the divine structure.

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