Article October 2, 1902 Issue

"In the Presence of Mine Enemies."

J. W. G.

After beginning my acquaintance with Christian Science as the exposition and realization of the law of Love, I was for some time in doubt as to the meaning of such passages as we find in Psalm 23:4, 5, and in Isaiah, 41:11.

Mrs. Eddy's rendering of the 23d Psalm, using Love as the appellation of Deity in that soothing, exalting, love-impelling song of praise and triumph has seemed so broadly and fully to cover human needs, and voice the realization of the all-presence and sufficiency of divine Love, that it has been in my thought almost as much as the Lord's Prayer. How could I even admit such a possibility as that I should ever be called upon to "walk through the valley of the shadow of death," when the angel of his presence lightens every place with the golden glory of ever-present Love? How could I admit that there could be "enemies" in whose presence divine Love should spread me a bountiful table? And referring to Isaiah, 41:11, how could I desire the fulfilment of a promise that certain ones should "be ashamed and confounded" and should "perish"? In the fulness of the love and gratitude found within the portals of Christian Science, I did not wish that anybody should be ashamed and confounded, or should perish.

So I was wont to interpolate "seem to" before "walk," in Psalm, 23:4, and "seeming" before "enemies" in the next paragraph. Isaiah, 41:11, I could only dispose of by the thought : "Dear Love, since nobody is incensed against me, in Truth, I shall have no occasion to seek for any such."

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