"The Church Universal and Triumphant"

CHARLES V. WINN

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE is the Science of divine, eternal, and infinite Truth. It always has been true, always will be true—demonstrably true. It is universal in its appeal, infinite in its application, and unlimited in its beneficent results. It has come to the world to establish the reign of righteousness among men and to bring healing and salvation to all. It is, therefore, peculiarly a religion of works or proofs. Because of its universality, when rightly applied to human affairs it meets the deepest needs of men. In its beneficent ministry it acknowledges no limits of time, space, or material conditions. It brooks no interference from so-called man-made laws or human systems. It has come to "overturn, overturn, overturn" everything unlike God's perfect creation, until perfection shall be universally demonstrated.

When the revelation of this great truth of God's allness came to Mrs. Eddy, she saw that if it was to accomplish for humanity all that she hoped it would accomplish, there must be established certain means of expression through which her discovery could be given to the world in an orderly and scientific way. She saw that this positive truth is constructive, not merely iconoclastic. She knew that God in His infinite wisdom would reveal to her divinely appointed ways and means whereby to bring peace and healing to a waiting world.

After many years of prayerful and consecrated listening to God, she was led to establish The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. She defines the mission of this church in the following words, on page 19 of the Manual of The Mother 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; thus to reflect in some degree the Church Universal and Triumphant." This clear, succinct, and comprehensive statement as to the mission and destiny of the Christian Science church cannot be studied too deeply by each member thereof. If consistently grasped and loyally followed in its true import, the truth set forth in this statement will ultimately eliminate both personal and church problems.

Since the function of the Christian Science church is to heal and save mankind, it is self-evident that it is the solemn duty and privilege of every member of a Church of Christ, Scientist, to embrace in his thought and life only such spiritual qualities as will heal and purify human consciousness. Every thought and desire should be subjected to the closest scrutiny as to its spirituality and worthiness. We cannot demonstrate divine Truth and Love unless they permeate our thinking; and only through demonstration can we become worthy pillars in the temple of our God. Any evil indulgences, however innocent they may claim to be, any harmful pastimes or idle gossip, any mental apathy or laziness, should be scrupulously avoided by every member of a Church of Christ, Scientist.

Christian Science does not teach a merely negative abstention from wrong, but a positive doing of that which is right. When error suggests to us that a contemplated course of action is harmless, we need to ask ourselves: Will it lessen the activity of that which is right? Will this contribute to my healing ability? Will this add to my store of Truth and Love? Will this increase my Godlike thinking? If we cannot answer these questions in the affirmative, we may be sure that a mental house cleaning is needed.

The privilege of membership in a Christian Science church is indeed a priceless one. It is not a burden, but a source of unfailing joy. Every agency of the Christian Science church has only one purpose, and that is to heal. Surely, in no other way can we properly value this great boon than by so purifying, spiritualizing, and Christianizing our thinking that we shall contribute in the highest degree to its healing ministry. Our Leader has given us many admonitions as to how to become worthy members of her church, and we cannot afford to disobey one of them.

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 247) Mrs. Eddy says, "The church is the mouthpiece of Christian Science." Let us, as obedient followers of our great Master and of our revered Leader, see that this "mouthpiece" speaks to every seeker for good the healing and saving message of Truth and Love. Then shall the world hear again the message of the beloved disciple, "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ."

Copyright, 1930, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.

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The Highway of Our God

August 2, 1930

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