Article August 30, 1930 Issue

Church Building

SADI SOUKUP MC KEE

HOW many and varied are the opportunities and blessings which come to all those engaged in the building of a Christian Science church! Far more, indeed, is involved in this true building than simply the erecting of a beautiful visible structure.

When the need for a suitable edifice wherein to partake of the feast of Love presents itself, there comes to the membership, individually and collectively, the great privilege of proving the truth of Mrs. Eddy's wonderful statement (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 494), "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." The edifice being seen as a human need, the church members, never losing sight of the spiritual building which they must first build up in consciousness, turn to divine Love to meet their every need. Before them they have the plans of their material structure, but they also have ever before thought the spiritual superstructure as outlined in the definition of "Church" on page 583 of this same textbook, namely: "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."

During the period of church building the members experience great growth and progress as they participate lovingly and earnestly in this work. Many false beliefs may present themselves to be analyzed and exchanged for spiritual ideas. Perhaps the sense of pride and false ambition assails the consciousness of individuals. The true builder learns to cultivate the sense of noble and unselfish service, in which are the elements of humility and meekness, coupled with confidence in God, such as our Master expressed when he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing," and on another occasion, "With God all things are possible." With such realization comes progress not only in the building of the church, but also in the experience of the individual.

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The Divine Purpose
August 30, 1930
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