Article November 1, 1919 Issue

The Grace of Geniality

ELEANORA BURDETT CARR

A RECENT writer has spoken of "the horrors of the existing twilight between war and peace," and judging from the standpoint of the material senses, this vivid description pretty fairly sums up the conditions of human existence after four years of terrific warfare. In countries near the seat of war, discomforts, hardships, inadequate housing accomodations, defective and interrupted transport and communication, shortage of food and clothing, and general disorder and disorganization are some of the problems which throng human thought in the aftermath of war.

Christian Science, however, teaches us that good can be maintained and demonstrated in spite of any material evidence of evil, because it shows how to prove material sense to be "a liar, and the father of it," as Jesus declared. Understanding, affirming, demonstrating, the allness of God, with what relief one can turn from the unreal mental pictures of mortal mind, fluctuating and fleeting as the cinematograph, to the beauty and order of Principle, the truth of being, where alone man will find the peace, supply, and harmony he so sorely needs.

On page 224 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy sets forth an attitude of thought which it would be well for every one to study and to make his own in character and conduct. "We should go forth into life," she advises, "with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities." This passage has often been of practical help to the writer under the pressure of varying circumstances, and in pondering it the word genial has seemed to be worth noting; it is so eminently a pleasant word, bringing warmth, good nature, and sunshine in its train. Who does not like and welcome the genial man or woman? Such a one exhales the precious quality of kindness, and kindness is intimately connected with geniality by both association and etymology. The Anglo-Saxon word cynn gives us kin, or race, and the word from which genial is derived means almost the same thing; namely, of one race or people. The kind and the genial are indeed of one race the world over.

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