Article December 3, 1910 Issue

CHRISTIAN COURTESY

HARRIET DAVIES.

The writer, who was at the time the only Christian Scientist in the small country place where she had just then removed to live, received several visits from a local clergyman, a very highly esteemed and able man. Their conversation on these occasions was chiefly concerned in a discussion of the Scriptures; they differed only because of their different view-points, and invariably, when the visits came to a conclusion, they expressed themselves as mutually benefited by the amicable and edifying interchange of ideas.

During one of these friendly talks the minister volunteered the information that while going through a course of theology at a world-reputed German university, he had made a careful study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and said he considered much of Mrs. Eddy's teaching very elevating, though he could not accept her philosophy entirely. When, therefore, shortly after this, the Scientist heard that her kindly visitor, who had won for himself wide renown in the neighborhood as a preacher, had made use of his pulpit to denounce Christian Science, she not unnaturally felt surprised, and, just for the moment, perhaps, personally aggrieved and affronted.

Nor did surprise end at this juncture, for very soon after this hostile and intolerant denunciation, a messenger called to ask if the minister might borrow the Christian Science text-book for a little while. Her first impulse was to refuse pointblank and to stand behind a reserved and dignified silence as to the reason she found it impossible to comply with this most unexpected request. Divine Love, however, happily soon overruled this discourteous and resentful decree of personal sense and feeling, for above all things else Christian Science teaches its adherents the gospel of Love; that they are, as St. Peter taught, to "love as brethren, ... be courteous;" that "Love is reflected in love" (Science and Health, p. 17), and in kindness, courtesy, forgiveness, justice, meekness, mercy,—the unfailing prerogatives of all God's children,—and they should consider it their highest privilege and duty always to be ready to minister to those who ask for the truth.

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