"IN HONOR PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER."

SADIE KIEKINTVELD.

Immediately following his exhortation to "be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love," Paul adds that bit of advice over which many a mortal has stumbled, "in honor preferring one another." Had he in mind the many instances in which the spirit of envy and rivalry have seemingly quenched the feeling of brotherly love? This spirit claims to have entered the very first human family. We read that Abel was a "keeper of sheep" and that Cain was a "tiller of the ground." When both brought an offering to the Lord, Abel "of the firstlings of his flock," and Cain "of the fruit of the ground," God "had respect unto Abel and to his offering; but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect."

Accepting this statement literally might lead to the thought of a partial and unjust Deity, who bestowed favor on one worshiper and not on another; but much of the Bible teaching is by symbols, and a clear analysis of the incident discloses the lesson to be learned. First one needs to give up his thought of a personal or anthropomorphic God, and to think of Him as unchanging divine Love that can never be conscious of evil. Next, it is necessary to examine the character of the two offerings. A lamb has always been recognized as the symbol of innocence and obedience. Abel evidently brought thoughts which were pure and obedient to Truth as an offering to God. Bringing himself thus into harmony with the eternal Principle of the universe, he received the natural reward of his right thinking. This was not because God gives more liberally to one of His children than to another, but because Abel had fitted himself to receive abundantly.

Cain, for his offering, "brought of the fruit of the ground." While Abel's sacrifice symbolized what is spiritual and good, Cain's evidently typified what is material. In Science and Health (p. 541) Mrs. Eddy says, "The lamb was a more spiritual type of even the human concept of Love than the herbs of the ground could be." The sequel shows that Cain's mental attitude was self-seeking rather than receptivity to truth; therefore when Cain sought a blessing, it was not conferred, as it was impossible for God, who is "of purer eyes than to behold evil," to recognize his appeal. Did Cain see his error and abandon his evil thought? Evidently not, for he became angry and killed his brother.

In the life of Jesus we have another instance of the relentless manner in which evil hurls itself against the highest idea of good. The hatred of the scribes and Pharisees for this lowly Nazarene, who calmly denounced their selfishness and hypocrisy and made clear by his example what should be the life of a truly spiritual man, showed itself in the most cruel injustice and persecution. Probably the average mortal is now more tolerant and kindly disposed than were those of Jesus' day. A man who strives to keep the golden rule is no longer so unique in his attitude toward life as to stir up any violent display of animosity; but the same old error, which seen in its worst form would be abhorred, is admitted in the form of petty jealousies, gossip, grudging commendation of others' good, repining, heartburning, rivalry, and a host of other seemingly little foxes which steal away peace and harmony among friends and associates.

If all Christians were truly studying to show themselves approved unto God, were sincerely working for the unfoldment of good, they would rejoice in every step of progress made, whether or not they had any share in the glory. The successes of others would be cause for rejoicing and an incentive to keep on trying. The fact that some have proved through Christian Science the unreality of sickness and sin, is a glad promise that all men will in time shake off the limitations that bind them and find the freedom of the sons of God.

Until human nature is entirely regenerated, however, all need some protection against the attacks of envy, lest they unwittingly direct it against another, thus doing him a great injustice, and also lest they allow the petty jealousies of others to disturb their tranquillity and arouse resentment. Modesty and humility are a sure protection against this foe; meekness, contentment, and gratitude lift one above the clouds. It is easy enough to see how the belief in a limited material supply might cause envy, for each would have to profit at the expense of another; but surely when it is seen that the spiritual possessions of love, joy, peace, and kindliness are universal, and the more one has the more there is for all, there should be no room for rivalry or ill-feeling.

There is a positive as well as the usually accepted negative side to the oft-quoted Bible verse, "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." While it is undoubtedly true that evil brings its own punishment, this saying may be read rather as a promise than as a threat. With what measure of love, what measure of forgiveness, of kindness, of helpfulness, of glad rejoicing at the progress and success of others, ye mete, it shall be measured to you again, "good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over." Love for one another was the sign by which Jesus' disciples were to be known. Surely no personal grievance should ever loom large enough to hide from us our most precious possession, love for God and man.

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