Editorial March 10, 1923 Issue

Sympathy

Ella W. Hoag

THE word "sympathy" conveys to the human thought such diverse impressions that its use in Christian Science needs to be considered with care, in order that all it represents of good may not be lost sight of; and at the same time that its mistaken aspects may be recognized and avoided. Its derivation presents it as meaning a fellow-feeling, a kindred or like feeling. Thus it always takes its color from its associates, and the difference between true and false sympathy depends on whether it is united with good or with evil, with that which is right or with that which is wrong.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 366) Mrs. Eddy has written: "The physician who lacks sympathy for his fellow-being is deficient in human affection, and we have the apostolic warrant for asking: 'He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?' Not having this spiritual affection, the physician lacks faith in the divine Mind and has not that recognition of infinite Love which alone confers the healing power." We see, therefore, that true sympathy has a very important place in the demonstration of Christian Science. Indeed, sympathy when properly exercised is a divine quality which, unless understood and utilized, would leave one without the ability to help his neighbor. For how could one assist another into the understanding of greater good, if he did not first have the sympathy which longs to have good everywhere expressed?

We need not imagine, if we do not feel the compassionate desire to cancel our brother's mistakes and wrongdoings, that we shall understand the divine sympathy of which our Leader tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 102), where, in referring to God's pity, she writes, "The sympathy of His eternal Mind is fully expressed in divine Science, which blots out all our iniquities and heals all our diseases." This must be reached by taking the mental steps which include the deepest possible desire that all our brothers may be delivered from all evil. Christian Scientists need not fancy that anything less than the tenderest sympathetic longing to help others will lead them forward in the pursuit of the Science which is to overcome all sin and sickness.

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