Editorial September 21, 1899 Issue

True Friendship

Editor

It is easy, as Jesus said, to love our friends—those whom we desire to love, but what reward have we for thus loving, other than our own gratification and the pleasure given to the friends? The best friend is he who, while duly recognizing our virtues, also points out to us, and if need be rebukes, our faults or failings. The former may be the friendship of flattery. The latter is always the friendship of sincerity. He who has not the grace to receive the latter token of friendship in the right spirit is a friend neither to himself nor to his friends. He has yet to learn the primary quality of true friendship.

But to love our enemies, by knowing that in the truth of Being we have no enemies—this is friendship in deed and in truth, and its reward is joy unspeakable and life "more abundantly." This is the friendship Christian Scientists must strive for and ultimately attain.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Responsibility of All