Editorial April 10, 1909 Issue

"AND BE YE KINDLY AFFECTIONED."

John B. Willis

All who are familiar with the introductory pages of the chapter on Christian Science Practice in Science and Health, are prepared to understand the deep significance of Mrs. Eddy's very brief and very beautiful characterization of the ministry and meaning of our Lord's humanity, which is expressed in the words, "Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he defined Love" (Science and Health, p. 54).

The self-forgetful affection of Christ Jesus for the seemingly unlovable,—for the whole world lying in wickedness, ready to reject, aye, to crucify him,—this is indeed wonderful, and the thought that in it he "defined Love" awakens a new concept of the possible meaning of every human life, even yours and mine. We begin to realize that the Christlike man is he who finds in every call for the expression of brotherly kindness and affection an opportunity to make men see and understand the very heart of God, and we perceive as we have not before why our Leader should have counseled us to pray daily, "And may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!" (Manual of The Mother Church, p. 41).

It is clear that if Christian Science has come thus to enrich and govern the impulses of the heart, any show of coldness or indifference to human relations is not only incongruous but quite impossible to those who worthily represent its teaching, and that an attitude which is so assertedly "scientific" that it fails to be either sympathetic or sensible, is nothing more nor less than pharisaism and that of the worst sort. In fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy. "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench," the Master made known in a thousand tender words and deeds that he had come to lift up the fallen and to comfort them that mourn, and the gladness and freedom with which the common folk and the little children always approached him speak unmistakably for that true compassion with which he ever proved that, in all our relations to others.

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