In the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation are messages to seven churches in Asia. Each of the seven churches represents a different aspect of ecclesiastical organization and shows what happens when a group of people band together to form a church. John's messages to these churches appear as admonitions; but since he himself tells us that he is not an author but a transcriber of what is appearing to him as revelation, the messages to the churches can be considered a chart or guide for us all.

Four of the churches John described had worked hard, prospered, and been faithful, but one of these had lost the sense of active love which it once had; some of the members of a second one were becoming idolatrous; a third was permitting personal domination to enter into its activities; and a fourth was satisfied with its present attainments and growth and was resting on its laurels. Of the three remaining churches, John found that one was mesmerized by a belief of distress, poverty, and slander; another had the appearance of prosperity, which was superficial, for the church was really asleep; and still another, the one at Philadelphia, was promised protection for its faithfulness; but John cautioned it as follows (3:11): "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

The most significant thing about each message is that it closes with a promise of reward to the one "that overcometh." The victory is the individual's, and, of course, the work is the individual's also. Then only is the church assured of victory.

Mrs. Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, speaks at some length regarding John's messages to the seven churches. She says in her Message to The Mother Church for 1900: "Beloved, let him that hath an ear (that discerneth spiritually) hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; and seek thou the divine import of the Revelator's vision and no other. Note his inspired rebuke to all the churches except the church in Philadelphia—the name whereof signifies 'brotherly love'" (p. 14). And on the next page she continues, "In the words of St. John, may the angel of The Mother Church write of this church: 'Thou hast not left thy first love, I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.'"

The growth and progress of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, are in exact proportion to the spiritual growth and progress of its members. So, if we are not progressing as we should like to, either individually or as a church, we may well ask ourselves whether we are fulfilling the requirements which John outlined in his messages: Am I loving as much as I can? Am I having only one God? Am I allowing myself to dominate others—or to be dominated by another, thus surrendering my rights of individuality? Am I becoming self-satisfied about my own affairs or my church affairs? Am I being mesmerized by beliefs of lack of any good in church or out of it? Am I obedient and faithful in my church work, watchful not to be lulled to sleep by apathy or lack of enthusiasm?

A true sense of divine Love includes all of the points just considered, for can there be self-satisfaction, mesmerism, lack of any good, personal domination, or idolatry where Love is expressed?

Mrs. Eddy defines "Church" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures' thus (p. 583):

"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."

Each church member is elevated Spiritward in proportion to his right concept of Church. How can one selflessly serve Church, as so defined, basing his thoughts and acts on that which, "rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle," without being elevated in his own personal experience? Indeed, the resultant blessing extends to the very minutiae of one's affairs, evidencing itself as a better body, a better business, a more harmonious home, improved relationships with others, and so on.

As each individual gains a better concept of Church, he inevitably gains a better and more spiritually correct concept of his own true selfhood, and then he sees his neighbor in this same light and loves him understandingly. This sense of love expands to include all mankind and attracts the stranger to our church.

If problems arise in a church, how grateful we can be to know that they are really not in Church but in material consciousness. This is true whether the problem appears as apathy, lack of interest, friction among individuals, personal ambition, or decline in membership. There is sometimes a marked similarity between church problems and world problems. They come to us to be healed; and as the members work together on a Christianly scientific basis to solve them, not only the church but the entire world is blessed.

Working together for a common goal of church growth and progress brings to each member an individual blessing wherein he experiences growth and progress. Each member must solve in his own consciousness any problem presenting itself as a church problem.

The alert Scientist will never fall into the trap set by mortal mind of believing that he has served his time in church work or that he has outgrown Church. The wise student knows that he cannot separate himself from Church, but includes the right idea of Church in his consciousness, basing his very life activity on that which "rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle."

Mrs. Eddy established the Church of Christ, Scientist, and she established it on the Rock, the healing Christ. We need the Church, individually and collectively. It is here for us, for our growth, for our progress in Christian Science. Participation in branch church activities never fails to bless, for it promotes spiritual growth for each individual who gratefully responds to its demands, and to serve our church best is to serve it unselfishly, not seeking to get but to give.

If each member is consecrated to this end and becomes increasingly conscious of the real Church as our Leader defines it, the details of material organization and the handling of the church's affairs will become harmonious and effortless, just as our bodies function in a more orderly way as we turn our thought away from the material sense of selfhood to our spiritual identity.

Individual efficiency, usefulness and judgment are increased when placed on the firm foundation of God's unerring direction and the true understanding of at-one-ment with our Maker. Indeed, this pattern of reasoning will increase our abilities in all directions, including business and home. So we find that within the limits of our church work we are learning life's lessons and meeting the problems of everyday human existence.

The principal function of a Church of Christ, Scientist, is the establishment and promotion of a fuller understanding of the allness of God, of man's constant sonship and unity with Him, and the resultant unreality and powerlessness of evil. Where? Why, first of all in the consciousness of each church member and then inevitably in the community.

As the understanding of the individual church member is roused to a better, clearer view of Church, of his fellow church member, and of himself, each branch church throughout the world will fulfill the hope which the Founder of our church expressed when she wrote to the church in Concord, New Hampshire (Miscellany, p. 155): "May this church have one God, one Christ, and that one the God and Saviour whom the Scriptures declare. May it catch the early trumpet-call, take step with the twentieth century, leave behind those things that are behind, lay down the low laurels of vainglory, and, pressing forward in the onward march of Truth, run in joy, health, holiness, the race set before it, till, home at last, it finds the full fruition of its faith, hope, and prayer."

Thus each church member will truly be a representative of Truth and Love, demonstrating the practicality of Christian Science in all of his affairs. He will then know himself as the son of God, and will joyously proclaim the truth, Christian Science, to the world through right church activity. As Paul stated in his first letter to the Corinthians (14:12), "Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church."