Editorial June 1, 1981 Issue

Moral relationships in church

NATHAN A. TALBOT

Our church institution has many purposes. In the broadest sense it inevitably deepens our love of God and His creation. More specifically, it leads us into a stronger appreciation of the purely spiritual nature of Church. As we grow in that appreciation we are able to make practical use of the truths we glean. We find that the demonstration of spiritual truth fosters healthy and moral relationships in church.

In a very realistic way our church activities can be a testing ground for learning to work together in unity. A church setting is unique for determining how much we actually love God. The Bible reminds us, "He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"^{I John 4:20.} And Mary Baker Eddy provides this recommendation: "We should measure our love for God by our love for man...."^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 12.}

The question of church members' love for each other is an important one—a moral and spiritual one. It touches the heart of Church, which our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, defines spiritually as: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle."^{Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 583.} The carnal mind's tendency would be to weaken whatever represents the structure of Love. It would encourage whatever does not originate in Principle. But the Christ brings to light a progressive recognition of Church and impels us to defend this perception from that which would corrupt or destroy it.