Article July 21, 1917 Issue

"Love thy neighbor"

ETHEL M. MC CANDLESS

When Abram and Lot separated in the land of Canaan, after finding that they could no longer dwell together in peace and harmony, Abram's attitude was expressed in these words: "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren." On page 444 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy quotes these words, and adds, "Immortals, or God's children in divine Science, are one harmonious family; but mortals, or the 'children of men' in material sense, are discordant and ofttimes false brethren." The story in Genesis shows that Abram's faith and love were put to the test many times; and through the centuries the same problem has confronted all mankind, for human nature is the same today as it was when Abram and Lot tended their flocks and herds in the land of Canaan.

Now it is a comparatively easy matter to say to our brother, Let there be no strife between me and thee, but how to put it into practice is what this world needs to know. The Mosaic law with its "Thou shalt not" did not solve the problem, though it supplied a certain need at the time it was given; but gradually there unfolded to human consciousness a higher sense of love, until it burst forth and was manifested in the teachings and life of Christ Jesus. He gave to the world a new commandment in these words: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." It however remained for Mrs. Eddy, in Christian Science, to show us how to do this.

Before we can love our neighbor and live at peace with him, we must know who and what he is. We cannot obey the command "Love thy neighbor as thyself" so long as we believe that both self and the neighbor are material and mortal, capable of hating as well as loving. In order to find out the truth about ourselves, we must begin with God the Father, "of whom are all things," and as we learn more of the nature and attributes of the Father, our true selfhood will unfold; then we shall see not only ourselves aright, but also our brother.

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