Article November 28, 1925 Issue

Gentleness and Power

ROLAND RATHBUN HARRISON

When, after considering the world's understanding or concept of the word "power," one turns to the first line of the "Mother's Evening Prayer" by Mrs. Eddy (Poems, pp. 4, 5), the word seems to have found its way into strange company. For this beautiful poem-hymn of our beloved Leader begins, "O gentle presence, peace and joy and power."

The word "power," as accepted in the everyday world of affairs, is generally found consorting with, or is even used as a synonym for, material strength, bodily vigor, undisputed control, sweeping domination; and, indeed, it often conveys the thought of oppression and tyranny. All the world, from the individual to the strongest nation, frequently is pictured as engaged in an unending struggle for power, a struggle in which the weak are ruthlessly crushed. And the world seeks power by material means, by accumulation of riches, by appeal to those in positions of authority, by family ties; yea, even by the sacrifice of honor, by trickery, and by fraud.

Not by any of these did Christ Jesus do his mighty works. On the contrary, he rejected all such means for gaining power; and the words he used on the occasion of such rejection were, "Get thee hence, Satan." Not all the kingdoms of the world which Satan offered him on the mountain top would have given the Master the power to heal a single case of sickness.

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