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The Grace of Courtesy
A Careful study of the life and teachings of Christ Jesus, as set forth in the four gospels, reveals no instance where his acts did not conform with the highest ideals of character which his disciples and followers have come to attribute to this first and greatest Christian. Gentility, courtesy, purity, humility, obedience, integrity, a fine consideration for his fellow-men,—in short, the entire round of Christian virtues,—found in him their best example. Yet he was by no means devoid of the fire of righteousness, which flared into flame in the presence of manifest dishonesty and hypocrisy. The author of the Beatitudes and of the immortal sentences in which he bade the weary and heavy-laden to come unto him for rest and peace, also accused the Pharisees in terms both scathing and severe, so stern in fact as to leave no doubt as to the severity of his denunciation of his persecutor's hypocritical claims.
The teachings of Christian Science, that is, of Christianity, tend to develop gentleness with its various graces of courtesy in all the relations of life. To know that man, as the expression of God, can possess no attribute underived from his perfect source, divine Love, goes far in rendering human character gentle, courteous, and always considerate for the welfare of others. It is related that the custom of bathing the feet of the stranger, who, usually foot-weary from a long journey, appears as a public guest, is still practiced in certain villages of Palestine and Anatolia, taking its lesson of gentle service and humility from the Master's example to the disciples, on the occasion of the last supper. Many persons in communities claiming a higher degree of civilization and culture could well find a worthy object lesson in this striking example of humble service.
Besides, Christian Scientists have always before them the teachings and practices of our revered Leader, whose example was uniformly that of the sweet gentility which bespeaks the true Christian. While holding her students to the highest standard of demonstration, in her daily relation with her household and friends, it is said that she seemed always to exemplify the beautiful sentiment expressed in that much read passage of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 17), "And Love is reflected in love;" and, with her, love expressed in terms of perfect courtesy, which included the kindliest consideration for all those with whom she came in contact. Does not the duty to follow in her footsteps as a true Christian, as demonstrating the Christ, necessarily devolve upon every student naming the name of Christian Science, if he is worthy to be called its disciple? This holy demand pertains to all the relations of life, social, home, professional, business, and, surely, in our church relations.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
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July 15, 1922 issue
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Prophecy
WILLIAM B. HARRISON
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Limbo
ANNE CLEVELAND CHENEY
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Right Forgetting
JANE CAMPBELL KEMP
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Constructive Ushering
FRANK R. SNOW
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The Love of God
RHODA A. HYMAN
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Gratitude
BETHEL GILLIAM
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It was the night of the weekly testimony service
An excerpt taken from an article entitled "Preachers and Preaching," written by a clergyman,
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Your remarks about Christian Science, called forth evidently...
W. Stuart Booth, Committee on Publication for the State of Colorado,
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In reply to the letter of a correspondent, appearing in a...
Lester B. McCoun, Committee on Publication for the State of Nebraska,
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When a writer bases his criticisms on sentences torn from...
Kate E. Andreae, Committee on Publication for Sussex County,
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I was much interested to read in a recent issue of your...
Richard E. Prince, Committee on Publication for the State of Virginia,
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While it is a matter of common knowledge that the remarkable...
J. N. Van Patten, Committee on Publication for the State of California,
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Letters from the Field
with contributions from H. A. Littlefield, Eugenie B. Abbott, John A. Price, Jessie T. Coddington, Alice I. Fuller, W. M. Duffey
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The Grace of Courtesy
Albert F. Gilmore
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The Glory of God
Ella W. Hoag
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Progress
Duncan Sinclair
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The Lectures
with contributions from E. G. Porter, J. O. Springer, Percy C. Hord, William J. Tucker, H. V. D. Moore, George A. Magney, Sarah A. Ormsby, Frank E. Legg
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About five years ago, I became quite seriously ill with a...
Mildred H. Morgan with contributions from W. W. Morgan
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Many healings have come to me and mine through...
Henry C. White with contributions from Laura S. White
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When the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"...
Emma E. Larson
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I gratefully send this testimony regarding my healing...
Stanley L. Cole
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With a heart overflowing with love and gratitude I send...
Carrie Collins
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For some years I was subject to the disease called quinsy
Lucy Genevieve Onderdonk
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Paul's exhortation in I Thessalonians is, "Prove all...
Mazie P. Carr
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Early in the fall of 1920 I manifested a physical trouble...
Mary B. Woodworth
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Signs of the Times
with contributions from John Coleman Adams, Ernest F. Tittle, Lyman Abbott, Canon Alexander, S. H. Mellone