Article February 27, 1909 Issue

SYMPATHY

C. A. CARR

SYMPATHY is a quality whose character, in the ordinary sense of the word, has been considerably changed through Christian Science, but this change enables one to sympathize in a more practical manner than was ever for a moment contemplated before scientific Christianity explicated its fuller meaning. It has so often been said that Christian Scientists lack sympathy, that it is well to bear in mind, when thus accused, what the view-point of the critic is and to meet him with love and forbearance. From the standpoint of those yet unacquainted with the higher teachings of Mrs. Eddy, it may appear, and undoubtedly does on occasions, that Christian Scientists do not sympathize with people in illness or adversity to the extent they used to; but if this is the thought engendered, it is only born of ignorance, for in the truest sense sympathy of a deeper nature than any heretofore expressed is felt by the Scientist.

In analyzing this sentiment it is found that Christian Scientists, while endeavoring to reflect divine Principle, do not express sympathy in the same way they once did, because they recognize disease as a form of error to be destroyed, not sympathized with, and it is this that often gives rise to misapprehensions as to their attitude. They strive to separate error from their thought of the individual, and while they do not sympathize with the error, they feel great compassion for those who are struggling in the slough of despond. To others who have not yet learned how to look at error impersonally, there remains an acute resentment at the apparently unsympathetic method of treating sickness as an enemy instead of as a friend. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Sympathy with error should disappear" (Science and Health, p. 211), and in carrying out this injunction the more helpful and ideal way of being in accord with and possessing a knowledge of the real man comes into consciousness, while symptoms of discord are disregarded as unworthy of being submitted to.

The Christian Scientist is learning what it means to hold oneself or others in bondage to wrong thoughts, and if in the endeavor to release others one's own attitude is misconstrued, the way will become plainer in time, for sooner or later all must come into the knowledge of the truth. The prophet Jeremiah expresses this lament, "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!" but this sort of sympathy must give way to the higher thought. Isaiah saw farther when he wrote, "And the ransomed of the Lord... shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." With John's clear thought we read, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." One may well inquire whether it is better to make a reality of sickness and sorrow by commiserating with it, or to know its unreality by denying its existence, even at the cost of being temporarily misunderstood.

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