Dedication

MYRTLE BIRNBAUM MC COSKER

Truly the desire to dedicate a Christian Science church edifice is a worthy desire, one that can be achieved through individual and collective right thinking and activity. As a necessary preparatory step, there must be a spiritual understanding of the real Church, which our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, defines in part, on page 583 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." When we have recognized the meaning of the real Church, we shall understand the further definition, "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."

What is our part as adherents of the Church which is to elevate the race? We must live Christian Science. Our outward action must come from a great love for Church and a sincere desire to serve, expressed—among other things—in regular attendance at the services and business meetings, in thoughts that bless and heal, keeping free from unhelpful criticism, in subscribing for and reading the Christian Science periodicals, and in earnest study of the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy.

If a Christian Science church is waiting to complete its edifice, or to have it fee of debt, so that it may be dedicated, every member of the church who is regularly at his post of duty, having done the proper preparatory mental work, is helping toward the dedication. The Readers, ushers, teachers in the Sunday school, and other members thus aid practically in forwarding this holy purpose.

We must be ever aware that our human activity is secondary to the spiritual realization of Church as "the structure of Truth and Love." As we perceive the real Church already dedicated, in that it proceeds from divine Principle, we begin to consecrate our thoughts to true church building. This uplifted thinking not only blesses our own experience, but brings the healing truth to a world that is seemingly sorely distressed.

Error cannot handle an alert church member, nor cause apathy, discontent, or discord in our church. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health, p. 450), "The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good." In so doing, each church member is a true soldier of God. He cherishes the desire to do the will of his Father and recognizes as real no power apart from God. He maintains the spiritual fact that the man God created is continuously reflecting God in love and peace.

Gratitude and praise are steppingstones to dedication. Malachi voiced God's promise, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Active gratitude is a tithe or contribution which flows naturally from the heart of every loyal student of Christian Science. It finds expression in the desire to give in any form that will be helpful to the church. It may lead to the giving of testimonies in accordance with the By-Laws in the Manual of The Mother Church. It will prompt us to render whatever service is practical, including financial assistance, all of which giving blesses the giver.

True praise helps to rout the enemy of delay and limitation. Its power is well exemplified in the Scriptural incident in which Jehoshaphat "appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army;" and the enemies of Israel were overthrown.

Gratitude which comes from those who have been regenerated, healed of disease, and comforted in sorrow, should be continuous. As members of a Christian Science church, awaiting the dedication of their edifice, dedicate themselves anew to the service of Truth, cleansing their thinking of all that is unlike God, Life, and Love, they unfailingly advance toward the dedication ceremony.

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