Editorial September 30, 1922 Issue

Love's Ministry

Albert F. Gilmore

No student of the New Testament can fail to become impressed with the depth of the understanding possessed and manifested by him who came to be known as the beloved disciple, as to the necessity under all circumstances of overcoming hate with Love, and of all men living continuously in love with one another. To one recognizing Jesus' true mission as the perfect Exemplar of divine Love, it becomes apparent why he thus characterized John. For did not the Master find in him the tender love and compassion and the sweetness of thought which characterize only one who has drunk deep at the fount of infinite divine Love, ever available for those athirst? So filled was John with the consciousness of Love as the all-presence, that he could declare boldly and briefly, without qualification, "God is love;" and there can be no doubt that he did this in full recognition of Love's infinity and all-power. Obviously, there can be nothing apart from the divine Love, which is all, and Love's creation or expression.

Mrs. Eddy made no phase of her teaching clearer or more emphatic than the fact that God, who is Love, is man's creator, his only source; hence that man partakes exclusively of the qualities of divine Love. Recognition of this fact precludes the possibility of reality in Love's supposititious opposite, termed hate; and one logically concludes that hate has neither origin, kingdom, nor mandate; for surely, that which comes not from God, the infinite source of creation, can have no true entity or being. On page 567 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says, "To infinite, everpresent Love, all is Love, and there is no error, no sin, sickness, nor death."

What greater duty devolves upon the disciple of the Nazarene striving to follow in his footsteps as again made plain by our revered Leader, than the need to abandon every vestige of hate with its variants,—malice, revenge, and resentment? This group of malevolents with their boon companions, jealousy and envy, if given unrestricted freedom would take possession of every available mental household to the exclusion of Love's rightful tenants,—the household of Spirit. At the approach of Love's messengers, however, this tenancy of evil with its bombast and high pretense, with its bullying and domineering, vanishes into the nowhere which in the ultimate is evil's only abiding place. For hate and malice are arrant cowards, skulking and hiding before the calm and sure approach of Love's children,—peace and joy.

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