Article January 13, 1923 Issue

"A new commandment"

ELSIE PRESS

In the thirteenth chapter of John we read that when Christ Jesus' earthly career was drawing to a close, he gave his disciples "a new commandment," to the effect that they "love one another." To those of us who have gained some understanding of Christian Science, this command of the Master means much, for through it we have learned that the greatest thing in life is love for God and for our fellow-man. Mrs. Eddy, our beloved Leader, tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 50), "The human affections need to be changed from self to benevolence and love for God and man; changed to having but one God and loving Him supremely, and helping our brother man." One gains inspiration from Mrs. Eddy's life of love and sacrifice, and also from the fact that our great Master's life was devoted to deeds of kindness and helping those who were in distress.

There may be times when the student of Christian Science finds himself harassed and burdened with the so-called experiences of life, and for the moment many have accepted these experiences as real, allowing the thought to enter that God has forgotten him; and he may even have declared with the psalmist, "As an heavy burden they are too heavy for me;" yet, under all circumstances, however untoward, he can understand that there is no place where divine Love is not. He has but to turn his thought to God, and away from self, to know that God ever loves him and is his closest friend and helper. Then, as he forgets self, and earnestly reaches out with a loving desire to help those who may be carrying even heavier burdens than he himself, he will find his own burdens grow lighter, because he is, as Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 518), "seeking his own in another's good." When traveling along the way, should fears seem to beset his path,—fears of sickness, poverty, loneliness, loss, or of lack of provision for future years,—if he will but turn away from these fears of material sense and know that God's love is always present to help and save, and that His supply is infinite, these fears which seemed so real will disappear in the joy that will flood his consciousness as he realizes that he is indeed in the Father's loving care. He will then go forward trustingly, renewed in strength, with his hand in the Father's, and will continue on his journey, a song in his heart and with a great sense of man's unity with Love. The realization of God's allness will bring to him the peace "which passeth all understanding."

Those who have passed through trying experiences recall with joy and gratitude the loving help extended to them by those who were fulfilling in some measure this "new commandment" of our Master. As Christian Scientists, then, and followers of the great Way-shower, we should strive to see man always as the perfect reflection of God and thereby love our fellow-man better. Thus we shall obey Christ Jesus' command, and be able to say with our Leader, in the words of her much loved hymn (Poems, p. 13):—

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