Editorial February 24, 1923 Issue

Charity to All

Albert F. Gilmore

THERE is scarcely another virtue which is more necessary to Christian living than charity. To look with a kindly forbearance upon the faults of another, to exercise a spirit of tolerance toward those who disagree with us, even, perhaps, on so fundamental a question as religion, to forgive our debtors as we would be forgiven, is to exemplify that charity which fulfills the Golden Rule. It is doing as we would be done by. The memorable words of Abraham Lincoln, spoken in the sweet sense of kindly forbearance for which he is held in loving remembrance, "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right," bespeak a sense of tolerance and forgiveness that fulfills to the letter, it would seem, the teachings of the gentle Nazarene. "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven," were the assurances of him who could implore, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," even when evil would crucify him upon the cross of human hatred and malice.

Christian Scientists always have before them, also, the inspiring example of their great Leader, who maintained the attitude of Christlikeness, even under what would seem to have been, from the human standpoint, great provocation for bitterness and resentment. Patient, loving, meek, forgiving, she went forward in her efforts to establish the kingdom of Christ, the reign of righteousness "in earth, as it is in heaven."

Among the many wise admonitions which Mrs. Eddy presented through her teachings was the need of the constant exercise of charity to all; for tolerance and forgiveness to those who are, perhaps, earnestly and honestly, even though it seems mistakenly, seeking salvation by some other means. So important did she esteem the exercise of charity that she made it the title of a By-law in the Manual of The Mother Church, under the article "Discipline." Hear her words (Art. VIII, Sect. 25): "While members of this Church do not believe in the doctrines of theosophy, hypnotism, or spiritualism, they cherish no enmity toward those who do believe in such doctrines, and will not harm them." Here is no concession to what the Christian Scientist knows to be false teaching; yet our Leader commends tolerance and charity for those who accept such beliefs. Beautiful example of Christlike magnanimity! Christian tolerance, which yields no slightest degree to false beliefs!

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