Editorial May 13, 1922 Issue

Humanitarianism

Duncan Sinclair

It is difficult to understand the remarks one sometimes hears that Christian Scientists are lacking in those qualities of benevolence, philanthropy, and loving-kindness which are associated with what is known as humanitarianism. The only way to account for it is by assuming that those who make the remark have been unfortunate in their associations, having, possibly, come into touch with some one or other who, although nominally a Christian Scientist, has but little title to the name. Christian Science is the Science which underlies all the doctrine, teaching, and demonstrations of Christ Jesus,—himself, the chief of humanitarians. A Christian Scientist is one who practices this Science after the example of the great Nazarene. And if he is faithful to his high calling, he must show forth in his life the same qualities of love, goodness, gentleness, and benevolence which the Master displayed, and desired his followers to emulate.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 25) Mrs. Eddy, after speaking of the obedience of Christ Jesus to God, and referring to his more spiritual demonstration of the Principle of being compared with that of others, says, "The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus." Now, the humanity of Jesus was plain throughout his whole life-work. Every kind deed he did manifested it. Every healing he performed testified to it. Can any one read the narrative in the eighth chapter of John's gospel, which tells of the woman brought before him because of her sin, and fail to notice that instead of condemning he dismissed her, purified and forgiven,—the desire to sin having been destroyed through his understanding of the omnipotence of good,—without concluding that the Christ, Truth, was certainly made manifest in the humanity of the Savior?

Take, again, a specific example of his teaching on this point. In the tenth chapter of Luke is told the simple parable of the Good Samaritan, familiar to all who read the Bible. A man "went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves which ... wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead" by the wayside. "A certain priest" and "likewise a Levite" saw the helpless man as they journeyed, but heartlessly "passed by on the other side." Later, "a certain Samaritan ... came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, ... and took care of him." Jesus characterized the act of the Samaritan as neighborly. And every Christian knows that he defined the second great commandment as, "Thou shalt love thy neighhour as thyself."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Humanitarianism

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access