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?

In that dear hymn, "If God is all in all," one line holds a great lesson for me,—"subtle error creeps." Every one hears the ramping, roaring lion; every one sees him stalking about, seeking whom he may devour, but "subtle error creeps" noiselessly, stealthily, hidden in the grass, between our feet when our eyes are turned skyward and our thoughts are above; then the subtle, sinuous serpent sometimes creeps into the chambers of consciousness.

In "Miscellaneous Writings," p. 306, we read of thoughts (angels) sent from God to man, "When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts."

In the still watches of the night, God speaks to us through His angels, "then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man."

Every advance step has brought me some higher concept of my neighbor and my love for him; and a keener detection of the subtle creeping error, till I see that "envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness," are concealed beneath the black veil of criticism. I see that criticism is self-righteousness, a higher conception of self than of one's neighbor; then "in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves," for we cannot condemn another without justifying self.

Do we need severer words of counsel than St. Paul gave in his epistle to the Romans? "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; ... and thinkest thou this, O man, ... that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?"

My neighbor and I had a "difference" in a business matter. I had fully and freely forgiven the offence, but in the night watches I was asked if I loved my neighbor as myself. Would I, next day, if the matter came up, guard my neighbor's reputation as carefully as I would my own? To human sense I was, and still am, right, and the other is wrong, and there is the test. I am not working for the praise nor the blame of man, but to be right with God. In that consciousness of right, shall I not spread the soft folds of charity about her and save my neighbor from the blame of man? If I wrap that white robe about myself and leave another to the condemnation of men, shall I not find myself lost in the darkness of criticism, far from God, with only that vague, distant concept of my neighbor, who is thereby placed far down the path, and therefore catch no reflection of Spirit from my neighbor, and find none in myself?

Because the clear concept of his neighbor as "a state of his own consciousness" came to my brother that night, and through him to me; and because this glorious communion lesson had been brought from heaven to earth, I was prompted to draw my sister to my heart and there, face to face, I saw her and myself as we are seen and known of God.

"Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." "Envy, hatred, malice, and all the uncharitableness," which sought to creep stealthily within under the guise of criticism, or condemnation, or self-justification was turned away, and my angels sang

Oh kinfolks, hand in hand, let's grope along,
Helping and being helped.
February, 1903, Journal.

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