Article January 27, 1923 Issue

"The famished affections"

KATHERINE ENGLISH

Christian Science is the religion of divine Love; therefore it is not surprising to find that its Discoverer and Founder, Mrs. Eddy, has written much that is inspiring regarding the affections. In the spiritual interpretation of the Lord's Prayer, which concludes the first chapter of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 17), she gives the spiritual meaning of the petition, "Give us this day our daily bread," in these words: "Give us grace for to-day; feed the famished affections;" while the concluding words of the prayer which she gives in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. VIII, Sect. 4), for the daily use of Christian Scientists, are these: "May Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!"

It requires no very great effort to pity those whose bodies are starving, or to send relief to a famine-stricken area. But do we always realize how much compassion is needed by those whose affections are famishing? Everywhere, consciously or unconsciously, the human heart is crying out for love. In its ignorance of divine Love's essential nature and of its own essential need, it tries to still its hunger upon the husks of materiality, upon the chaff of admiration, sentiment, fame, or fashion, only to find that there is neither nourishment nor satisfaction in such emptiness, since only by that which is spiritual can the affections be truly fed; only by divine substance can they be nourished and grow strong to bless mankind. The suffering heart needs to be fed with an understanding of the dear Father's loving-kindness. It is this sense of ever present divine Love, to whom each individual is lovable and beloved, that is bringing so much healing and comfort to the world to-day through the ministrations of Christian Science. We are learning that it is natural to express love and kindness, since God is Love and man is His likeness; therefore the coldness and reserve with which an older generation sometimes veiled its affections is now seen to be disobedience to the apostle's command, "Let love be without dissimulation."

We learn in Christian Science that it is our duty to reflect the pure love of God so clearly and plainly that there can be no mistake about it. The lamp of love must not be hidden, but set where it will give light to all who are in the house. We need not fear to manifest the pure affections fostered by the spiritual understanding of God, as Love; nor is it wise to put off till to-morrow the demonstration of affection which we might give to-day. The Christlike love for God and man is as far removed from coldness and indifference as it is from the mere indulgence of personal sense. The Word of God teaches us the truth about God and man; and this true sense of both enriches and governs the affections, according to the rule of God, divine Principle.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

The Pansy Reflection