That there shall be growth in grace is one of the demands of Christianity, and this demand is clarified and made an exact and joyous experience of progress through an understanding of the teachings of Christian Science. Through this teaching the word "grace," like so many other beautiful words in our human language, is redeemed and takes on new meaning, new strength, and beauty. On page 4 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says, "What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." Throughout her writings she speaks of the potency and power of grace, its tenderness, its refreshing and revivifying nature, its healing might and miraculous phenomena, and she assures us that it proceeds from an understanding of God.

The dictionary gives many interesting definitions and aspects of grace. Two most enlightening ones are those which present God as the source of grace, and grace as "the operation of divine love." Grace is also defined as virtue and good will. The thought of grace then is redeemed from any sense of weakness or artificiality and given its rightful place of power.

Jesus the Christ was the greatest exponent of grace the world has known. In the Gospel of St. Luke we read, "And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." However, not only were his words gracious, but his works proved the truth and power of grace—the potency of its rebuke and the tenderness of its love. With his coming, grace was lifted above the law (moral) and recognized indeed as "the operation of divine love." John the beloved disciple made this most clear when he said, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." In the same Gospel of St. John we have an illustration of this declaration in the story of the adulterous woman. When the pharisaical moralists of the time, under the law of Moses, would have stoned this woman, Jesus with the grace of Christ healed her, set her free, and convicted her accusers of their own transgressions.

Finding grace thus redeemed from any sense of weakness or affectation, one is not afraid to be gracious, to speak and act graciously at all times. Grace is one of the Christian virtues for which there seems to be little time today, and never before has the world stood in so great a need of that virtue. The belief of war acts like a vortex and would draw into itself all that is good and beautiful, seeming to leave our daily living void of grace and filled with irritations, lacking the kindly amenities that make life genial and redemptive, though in the midst of war itself deeds of great grace shine forth with the immortality of Love. Let us then remember in little daily ways to be gracious and see seeming ungraciousness, indifference, discourtesy, melt before the understanding smile of grace, or when necessary the righteous rebuke of grace.

True grace is not easily rebuffed and maintains its serenity even when ignored or received with hostility. We may well keep in thought one of the rich sayings of Shakespeare:

When graciousness is supported by dignity and sincerity, when it is indeed the operation of divine Love, it brings with it great freedom, beauty, and dominion. Unopposed by its foes—self-consciousness, pride, self-will, timidity, or aggressiveness—grace gives to mind and body beauty of manner and movement, a wholesome spontaneity of thought and action. This is wholly apart from any social veneer, but is the result of growth in spiritual understanding and liberation from the restrictions or superficial charms of personality. Consciousness has been so purified of self and sense that the grace and beauty of Spirit flow unhindered in rhythmic power to heal and bless. Grace testifies to the presence of Love.

True grace is the unfolding of spiritual reality and is eternal, ever fresh and with vitality. So the demand and opportunity for growth in grace are eternal. One can never be placed under any conditions where it is not possible to grow in grace. As Love is ever present, grace, the operation of Love, is ever present. One can always make free way for the operation of Love in and as his consciousness, no matter how unlike Love the place and circumstance under which he is placed, may seem to be. Grace is impartial and comes alike to all with transforming and liberating persuasions.

It is never too late to grow. Growth in beauty and grace will never cease as it characterizes the infinite expression of infinite Love. And true grace can never be found outside that Love—in anything less than its transcendent goodness and power.

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" our gracious Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says (p. 206): "Philosophical links, which would unite dead matter with animate, Spirit with matter and material means, prayer with power and pride of position, hinder the divine influx and lose Science,—lose the Principle of divine metaphysics and the tender grace of spiritual understanding, that love-linked holiness which heals and saves."

Margaret Morrison