Editorial October 2, 1915 Issue

Impartial Love

Annie M. Knott

On page 13 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals," a statement which accords with St. Peter's declaration, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." The apostle's words nevertheless show that while God is impartial, a distinction is made between those who do that which is right and those who do wrong, a discrimination which is maintained by other Scriptural writers who declare for the divine impartiality.

In spite of the unequivocal declarations found in the Scriptures, there are some who are confused as to the issues involved, and the old belief in predestination seems to hold sway to the extent that material evidence is accepted where one person is apparently protected by divine power and another seems to be cut off from this aid. Even the outpourings of thankfulness on the part of those who have been healed in Christian Science or preserved in time of danger, are sometimes misconstrued, as implying that these persons were special recipients of divine favor, but this is a most incorrect assumption. It goes without saying that the one who consistently follows his highest sense of right is under its protection to the extent of his recognition of divine law. The question is not, however, a negative one; it is positive in its demand that all power be ascribed to God, good, and this of course implies a denial of any power in evil.

The ninety-first psalm illustrates in a remarkable way the Christian Science teaching as to divine protection, and the strange thing is that Christendom should so long have missed its wonderful lessons. Great is our joy, however, in this harvest hour that the veil of material sense has been lifted through Mrs. Eddy's inspired teachings, and that not a word of truth is found wanting. This psalm not only offers complete deliverance from evil but makes known the conditions under which perfect security may be realized. It is "because" one makes God his refuge that the promise is given, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." Neither pestilence nor destruction shall harm the one who abides "under the shadow of the Almighty," even though ten thousand others fall at his side; but this protection no more indicates the bestowal of special favor than does the fact that one who knows how to swim is preserved where one without this knowledge is not.

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