Cause and Effect

ANDREW J. GRAHAM

Matter, however beautiful and imposing in structure, form, and color, never generates spiritual aspirations. But on careful analysis it will be seen that material thoughts often seem to generate physical thrills of fear or ecstasy. Nothing imperishable, immortal, can be caused by that which is perishable, mortal. If in viewing a great painting, gazing on an enchanting landscape, or contemplating the vaulted ceiling of an awe-inspiring temple, one is touched by lofty, spiritual thoughts, it is not the material picture, landscape, or building that stirs these heavenly aspirations; rather is it the awakened spiritual sight which sees through and beyond the material and catches a clearer glimpse of that reality of which the material is but a poor counterfeit. Spiritual consciousness alone lays hold on God. It sees through and beyond all that is unlike Him. It has no possible union or partnership with matter. No spiritual inspiration ever comes from matter. Mrs. Eddy writes (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 47), "Christian Science shuns whatever involves material means for the promotion of spiritual ends."

Why, then, do Christian Scientists have to build material churches and a material Publishing House? In reply, it may be said that no Christian Science congregation could ever properly build a church unless the spiritual structure had first appeared in consciousness. "Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 35). Principle is the source of all supply. A material Christian Science church or Publishing House is the visible externalization, to human sense, of spiritual inspiration. Or, to put it more accurately, it is the sign that the mist of matter is fading away. Through Christian Science, men are working out of the belief in the reality of matter. The belief gets thinner. Emergence is going on. The grosser forms of belief disappear first.

It is the privilege and duty of Christian Scientists to employ the best belief available, whether in form, color, size, quality, or quantity. That is to say, one's wearing apparel, his abode, his household furniture, his place of business and his place of worship should be the best he can wisely afford. "Progress takes off human shackles. The finite must yield to the infinite" (ibid., p. 256). Common sense, spiritual sense, aspiration and inspiration should dictate the method and point the way. "And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount." "In the secret place of the most High" is found the source of all inspiration and substance.

One cannot read the story of the erection of the original Mother Church and of its later great Extension without seeing that the Christ-consciousness, not material ambition, governed the rearing of the temple. The outpouring of money was simply symbolical of hearts overflowing with gratitude.

Among Christian Scientists, spiritual inspiration—"the vision of the land that is very far off" (from matter)—handles matter today, as it did in the former period of overflowing supply; for the Christian Science movement is as a living fire, "purifying and elevating man" (Science and Health, p. 586). This spiritually inspired consciousness in the Christian Science churches, eager to enlighten, heal, and bless mankind, finds its natural human channel first and foremost in the published writings of Mrs. Eddy, and also in all the other authorized literature, including our periodicals. This great body of literature demands increasing bulk of material, more machinery, and more workers; and these in turn require adequate buildings.

The understanding of the Christ by Christian Scientists throughout the world is supplying the substance—love and gratitude—which is already rearing the walls of our new Publishing House, where certain of the central activities of the movement may be conveniently, economically, and properly administered, according to the directions of Mrs. Eddy. Continuity of inspiration is the watchword. The conquests of our Leader alone gave us Christian Science, and our conquests alone can retain it. The children and the adults, the poor and the rich, must all have a part in this great work; and may that part be the outcome of vital Christianity! It must never be said that Christian Scientists began by being inspired by a great ideal and then sank into complacent, inert membership in an organization. "And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Israel." Christian Scientists are following that example. They will contribute of their best, not only until the capstone is placed on the new Publishing House, but, recalling the goodness of God, will continue to declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men.

The dear contributors to a great structure will sometime visit Boston, and as their eyes are lifted to the pile of brick and mortar, their spiritual discernment will contemplate, with joy, that spiritual house, eternal in the heavens. "All substance, intelligence, wisdom, being, immortality, cause, and effect belong to God" (Science and Health, p. 275).

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