Article January 21, 1911 Issue

"COMFORT YE MY PEOPLE"

CLARA A. COWLING

For articles in the Sentinel which throw new light upon the deeper meaning of well-known words and passages in the Bible the writer has been especially grateful, and while studying recently the meaning of the word comfort, with Bible references and a dictionary, a much fuller sense was gained of the underlying meaning of many of the passages of Scripture which contain this word. To comfort is "to relieve from pain or distress; to cheer, to revive." Comfort means "ease, quiet enjoyment, freedom from annoyance; whatever gives ease." Isaiah is particularly given to the use of the word, and in the 61st chapter he declares that the mission of the Christ is "to comfort all that mourn." Again, we find that comfort means freedom, relief, cheerfulness, newness of life; to be revived, quickened; to experience peace, quietness, joy. Is not this what all mankind are seeking? The prophet well knew that God is the only source of such comfort, for he says, "The Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort [revive] all her waste places;" "I, even I, am he that comforteth you;" "For the Lord hath comforted his people;" "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you."

Many more promises of a like nature may be found both in the Old and the New Testament, but to the writer the most helpful and practical reference is found in II. Corinthians, where Paul speaks of "the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God," which gives such a clear sense of what Christian Science means to each one of us. Just as soon as we are "comforted of God," relieved from pain, distress, or sorrow, we begin to understand whence the comfort cometh, and then we can begin to comfort others with the comfort wherewith we have been comforted. Right where we are, while we ourselves are learning more of the "God of all comfort," can we help others to find comfort, and peace, and joy, and we help them to know more of the God who is all love and tenderness and compassion.

Mrs. Eddy has made this possible for all who are willing to take up the cross and follow Christ, for does she not say, "This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science" (Science and Health, p. 55)? We do not need to do great things in order to know that this is true, for by small beginnings we "prove all things" and hold fast to the good, and our text-book shows us clearly and unmistakably the way.

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