Article April 10, 1915 Issue

Love's Thorough Work

AMY C. FARISS

In pointing to the necessity of persistently and thoroughly combating the evil tendencies of mortal mind, Mrs. Eddy makes the statement (Science and Health, p. 407): "Man's enslavement to the most relentless masters—passion, selfishness, envy, hatred, and revenge—is conquered only by a mighty struggle. Every hour of delay makes the struggle more severe. If man is not victorious over the passions, they crush out happiness, health, and manhood."

The importance of dealing unsparingly with the false views which lie at the root of every belief of material existence, the necessity of searching deep into our heart for hidden and subtle error and continuing the quest patiently and untiringly, the imperative demand for bringing to the surface every life-sapping belief in evil and of then making a noble struggle to annihilate it utterly, was symbolized accurately by a circumstance which came under the writer's recent observation. While visiting, she was much surprised to find her friend in the garden with her hands filled with bunches of violets apparently torn from the soil, root and all. Knowing the tender love of the friend for her flowers and her care of every least plant in the garden, something bordering upon amazement was experienced as, glancing along the path, the entire bed of violets was discovered lying uprooted, faces downward, a sorry and bedraggled sight.

Within the ample garden the bright spring sunlight rested on all with joy and warmth. Fountains of the purest water gave freely to each thirsty plant, rich soil abounded, and the violets on a former visit to their bed had appeared thrifty enough. "Then why," the writer asked herself, "why this rude and sweeping disturbance?" Had the gardener's love grown cold? Were the pretty violets no longer worthy of the charming spot they occupied? Was some more majestic plant to be given their snug bed?

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