Article February 11, 1911 Issue

COMPASSION

JOSEPH B. BAKER.

Compassion ever accompanies Love's mighty work, for it is an expression of Love, and the understanding and demonstration of this quality distinguishes the spirit of Christian Science from the mere letter. Mrs. Eddy says that she gave her discovered Science the name Christian because it is compassionate. Let us therefore entertain nothing that would stand in the way of the Christ-mind or obstruct its healing work. Compassion holds in check the argument spoken out of season. It is revealed in the tender word, the glance of sympathy. In its calm presence error is uncovered to be destroyed, and in its golden silences we displace personality and stand aside, permitting the good seed of the kingdom of heaven to take root.

It is better to demonstrate Christian Science than to talk it. People are not always disposed to listen, though social convention may cause them to appear to do so; they are not often ready to understand before they seek information of their own accord. Every adherent of Christian Science has but to hark back to the time when he also failed to understand, or even rejected as tactless or rude the well-meant words of friends who had embraced this faith, in order to recognize this. But people are always ready to appreciate the showing forth of the fruits of love: compassion, patience, and meekness.

Whether the carnal mind responds to the demonstration of practical Christianity or not, the leaven is hid away in consciousness, and in time will leaven the whole lump. What the world needs is help, not "preaching;" the manifestation of divine Love, not cold philosophic argument. It needs to be healed and comforted on right lines, not antagonized, bewildered, or repelled. In our Leader's vigorous language, "If the unselfish affections be lacking, and common sense and common humanity are disregarded, what mental quality remains, with which to evoke healing from the outstretched arm of righteousness?" (Science and Health, p. 365).

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