Editorial June 27, 1914 Issue

Love Impartial and Universal

Annie M. Knott

In the sermon by Mrs. Eddy, entitled "Christian Healing" (p. 8), we read, "The mistaken views entertained of Deity becloud the light of revelation, and suffocate reason by materialism." On page 1 of the same sermon she says, "The difference between religions is, that one religion has a more spiritual basis and tendency than the other; and the religion nearest right is that one." The tendency of many religious cults has unfortunately been to limit the divine favor to their own sect, on the ground that some special doctrine held by it stands for obedience to some divine decree, and that without obedience thereto salvation is impossible. The prophet Micah, however, brings the divine requirement before us in quite another way. In rich metaphor he presents a controversy between God and His people, with the mountains as arbiter. God reminds His people of the many deliverances wrought for them by divine Love, and He asks, "O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me." After the recounting of all the mercies bestowed, the plea ends, "That ye may know the righteousness of the Lord." The people with deepest humility then ask what they can do to show their contrition, and how they shall approach the Most High. To this the mountains make reply, "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"—a requirement which rests upon all men, nations, and faiths today no less than when the decree was handed down in that august court.

It is true that the Scriptures contain the most scathing denunciations of evil, but even these point to the universality of Love's provisions for all mankind, since without the destruction of error there could be no peace, no harmony for any. A study of the Bible reveals the fact that inspired men in different ages, in the midst of widely differing human conditions, were ready to declare the ceaseless going forth of the divine purpose, which is always to bless and to save. Thus we find Joseph telling Pharaoh of the divine Love that was caring for himself and his people to the full extent of their responsiveness, and this was evidently much greater than we have been accustomed to think. We have regarded the Egyptians merely as heathen, and to mortal sense they were evidently grossly material, yet Joseph was made ruler over Egypt because the king saw that his wonderful mentality was due to his communion with God, infinite Mind. Who ever heard of a prime minister being chosen in modern times because of his spirituality?

Again, we read of Daniel's experience in Babylon, when even a sensual heathen king sent for him, when in deep trouble, saying, "I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee." And how wonderfully did Daniel declare to him the Love that loves all, and that must begin by destroying the mortal's love of sin and materiality! There is no difference on the divine side, though there may seem to be a great difference in results, on the human side, due to a greater or less responsiveness to the demands of Truth and Love.

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