Article November 14, 1903 Issue

Loving One Another

ELLA S. SARGENT.

In studying the Lesson on Love, for Communion Sunday in the Mother Church, I could but feel that a pulsation from the great heart of Love had reached us in our Wednesday evening meeting of June tenth, before it took form through font and press in the Lesson-Sermon.

A devoted Scientist to whom we love to listen was telling of the illumination of the Bible which Christian Science had brought him. As he closed, a second man said in substance, "While our brother was speaking, it became clear, to my understanding, who 'my neighbor' is. I have studied over this a long time, but within five minutes I have seen it clear. I had been able before to bring him quite close to me, as my very next-door neighbor; but now I see him nearer and clearer. My neighbor is the reflection of God. He is therefore a factor of my own consciousness. I must love my neighbor as myself. While I love 'self,' while I even see 'self,' I can neither see nor love my neighbor, but when I cast out self, then I see and know and love the reflection of Spirit,—my neighbor,—my brother. Then my neighbor, my brother, and myself become one, we are the reflection of God,—I love him as I love myself,—as I love God." He sat down with the humble, half apology, "Perhaps I have not made this clear; or perhaps it was already clearer to some than it was to me." It was clear, simple, and effective.

In "Love Thine Enemy," our Leader has said, "Who is thine enemy that thou shouldst love him? ... Can you see an enemy, except you first formulate this enemy and then look upon the object of your own conception?" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 8). How, then, could I have a neighbor unless I first formulate him? How could I see the smiling summer sea, the winter's snow, unless I look upon them through the medium of my own concept?

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