Article December 20, 1924 Issue

Compassion

CHRISTINA V. FORSYTH

Could there be a better definition of compassion than that given in the first two verses of the sixth chapter of Galatians: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ"? Over and over again our Master's life gives us examples of just what the laws of Christ are. He had compassion on the multitude, and fed them. He had compassion on the blind, and they received their sight. He had compassion on the widow, and said unto her, "Weep not." He touched the bier where her son lay, and he arose from the dead. Even on the cross, with all the malice and hatred turned on him that had smoldered and grown in fury during his earthly pilgrimage,—at that supreme moment, with Christly compassion he prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Have we not as Christian Scientists a great lesson to learn from the Master about compassion? We hear much of constructive criticism among Christian Scientists trying to heal a situation; but, often, would not compassion have done the work more quickly and in a better way? Many times in our Leader's writings reference is made to compassion. On page 115 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she classifies compassion under the second degree of the "Scientific Translation of Mortal Mind," thereby showing it to be one of the transitional qualities we should all strive after.

Think of what could be accomplished at this time in the solving of the great questions or problems between nations, could they be considered compassionately, or from the standpoint of bearing one another's burdens; for no problem is different nationally from what it is individually. It is the sum of the individual problems that makes the national problem, and there is always the command, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."

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