Article August 5, 1916 Issue

"Flood-tides of Love"

FLORENCE STRATTON WEAVER

ON page 201 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "The way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love." The Christian Scientist soon learns that truth is his only way, his only chart and compass. He also finds, however unpleasant the experience, that dislike, distaste, a human sense of justice and judgment, or wrath, only weave a thicker web about him, and erect a barrier in his path which can only be removed by these flood-tides.

The writer is reminded of an incident which illustrates this. A young Christian Scientist was living for a time in a country town, and she evinced a "zeal ... but not according to knowledge" in acquainting those around her with her new-found faith. Gradually it dawned upon her that she was being shunned. Even in shops she felt the cold shoulder, and it was so apparent from her neighbors that she was dismayed and hurt. She yearned as never before to leave the town and go back to her beloved home city, but the door seemed closed and there was no way out. Then she remembered Christian Science, and gladly retreated to her sanctuary of thought to examine present conditions in the light of this blessed truth. Almost instantly came the illumination, and she saw that the aloofness arose from persecution against Christian Science through ignorance of the subject. Then came Mrs. Eddy's admonition, above quoted, "to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love," and the way and means and method flashed forth to lead and to rejoice her.

This young Scientist began at once to realize that she loved every one in that town, because, as we are told in Science and Health (p. 467), "all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love." Each day some little opportunity presented itself by which she could illustrate this love to her neighbors. They were little, simple tributes, but they seemed sacred to her, for she knew that she was grasping and putting forth the one great Life-principle. The result was that in less than a week love answered love. The whole atmosphere was changed, and the change was just as perceptible as the estrangement had been. All those whom she met gave evidence of Truth's activity. What seemed most wonderful and sacred was that invitations to this and that began to flood our young friend, even from families whom she had never met. It was as though the whole town had opened its heart to her; then, just when love was at full tide in her own consciousness, the way suddenly opened for the return to her home city.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Precedent in Healing