IN his wonderful little book, "The Greatest Thing in the World," Professor Drummond points out how much of Jesus' time was spent in doing merely kind things. A close study of the gospels emphasizes this. Our Master was always ready to meet the needs of the people. His consciousness of the all-power and all-presence of God was so pure, his love for humanity so deep and tender, his spiritual discernment so clear, that he was able to give to each seeker who came to him just the kind of help most needed. Every earnest student of Christian Science must long for that same wisdom and love, and for that spiritual intuition which heals and helps.

When we look around the world to-day and see the strife and dissension,—when we observe the suspicion, hatred, and distrust which are manifested, both nationally and individually,—the cry is for more light, more understanding of the Christ, Truth, which will enable us to bring comfort and healing to a distracted world. We ask ourselves the questions: How can I help? What part can I take in order that the burden may be lifted from humanity? What can I do to help stem the tide of discord and friction, which seems so real?

At first sight, it may seem as though the task were too big for us to share in; and the suggestion may come that, after all, one can do so little that it really amounts almost to nothing at all. But a moment's consideration will uncover the error of this thought. To each is given the opportunity to demonstrate harmony and unity just where he is,—in the home life, school life, business life, and in social intercourse. Think what it would mean if all would resolve to think only kind thoughts, to speak only kind words, and to stop that destructive criticism which is just as harmful to those who criticize as to the one criticized! We do not always realize that when we speak in that way of another's faults or failings we are manifesting the same condition of thought as the one we are, perhaps, so glibly condemning.

The error we make a reality of in another thereby becomes a reality to ourselves; and so there is nothing to choose between us. It may even be that our mental state is the worse of the two; because behind all destructive criticism, if we probe deeply enough, we shall find those sins for which our Master showed the justest condemnation,—the sins of self-justification and self-righteousness. The one manifesting the error may be having many a secret struggle of which we know nothing; and surely we could ease his bur den, and help to bring to light man's true selfhood, if we would strive to see man as the perfect child of God, and hold out the right hand of fellowship. Constructive thinking is very much needed in our work to-day. The healing of the world-problems can come only through the purification of each individual consciousness. Through the patient elimination of selfishness, envy, jealousy, false ambition, suspicion, and unjust criticism, can friction and discord be overcome and finally destroyed.

Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has given us in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the most excellent guidance for daily living. If we study it earnestly and prayerfully, and strive to demonstrate its teachings, we cannot miss the way. It throws such a practical light on the Scriptures that the stories and parables with which we may have been familiar from childhood take on a far clearer meaning, and we perceive how Mrs. Eddy's spiritual understanding of God coincides with that of Christ Jesus.

In the parable, the ten virgins all started out to meet the bridegroom; and it is said that "five of them were wise, and five were foolish." All wanted to gain the spiritual understanding which would lead them to the kingdom of heaven; all desired the peace and harmony which can come only through the right idea of God and man. All carried with them their lamps; but some neglected to fill them with the necessary oil. And it is here we may gain a most practical lesson. By turning to the definition of the word "oil" on page 592 of Science and Health, we find that its spiritual meaning consists of those mental qualities which alone can enable us to enter into the presence of the Bridegroom: "OIL. Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration." Two words arrest our attention in this definition,—"charity" and "gentleness." Those seekers who neglected to take with them gentleness and charity were left outside the door when the bridegroom came; and not all their pleading could enable them to enter.

All through Jesus' selfless life we see how gentle and compassionate he was with the erring, and how quick he was to seize upon the good in their thought. It was the same also with our dear Leader; for if we search her writings, we shall never find one word of personal criticism or condemnation. Her hand was always outstretched to help and encourage; her patience and love never wearied. To her wonderful spiritual insight, it must often have seemed that her students were very slow to grasp the spiritual import of her teachings; but her love for humanity was so great that she patiently waited for the truth to unfold. Her lamp was always filled with the oil of consecration, gentleness, and charity.

Those who are striving to follow in the footsteps of our great Teacher, Christ Jesus, will do well to study our Leader's example, and to eliminate from thought all personal condemnation. If we strive to see man as God sees him, we shall look beyond the little human faults and failings. By doing so we shall help to free our neighbor from the iron shackles with which false beliefs may have bound him. This does not mean the condoning of sin in any form; but it does mean being able to see evil as impersonal. Thus only can we separate it in our thought from man and help to destroy its seeming power.

Never has the world, never has our own Christian Science movement, so much needed the gentleness, consecration, and charity which alone can heal all seeming wounds, discords, dissensions, as now. However small, however unimportant our work and position may seem to be, we can carry with us the lamp of Truth to make the dark places plain and to uncover the secret ways of error that the highway of our God may be exalted. If we keep our lamps filled with the healing oil of the heavenly qualities of divine Love, we shall be doing our part in helping to establish the kingdom of heaven on earth, and the time will be hastened when all men shall have come into the knowledge of the Lord.