Editorial September 5, 1925 Issue

Pure Affection

Duncan Sinclair

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." These words of Paul to the Romans were written to impress upon them the necessity of cultivating one of the greatest of Christian virtues,—affection. When one thinks of it, how little pure affection is evidenced among men as they come into touch the one with the other in the performance of the tasks of everyday life! Their dealings with each other may be honest, honorable, moral, but many would be inclined to smile in amazement were they asked if they carried affection with them into their business relationships. And yet, to be "kindly affectioned ... with brotherly love" is what the great Apostle to the Gentiles expected of all Christians.

The fact that kindly affection is so frequently absent is cause for reflection. Why is it so? Why is there not greater spontaneity among men in the showing of kindly regard for each other's well-being than there often appears to be? Many reasons might be adduced; but unquestionably the one which applies most generally is the simple one that on the whole men have not yet grasped to any great extent the truth of the allness of divine Love. But the revelation of Christian Science that God is infinite Love, infinite good, and that evil is unreal, is being accepted by an ever increasing number; and exactly in the degree that the truth about divine Love is apprehended by them, and evil recognized as unreal, their love to God increases and they become more kindly affectioned to their fellow-men.

It is a profound mistake to regard pure affection as a human weakness. Who thinks of Christ Jesus as weak? No stronger than he ever walked this earth. It was Jesus who loved the little children. It was Jesus who looked with tenderest compassion upon Jerusalem. It was Jesus who blessed the Bethany home with his pure affection, and who, through his marvelous understanding of Life, brought back Lazarus from the tomb. And what patient affection the Master had for the little disciple band who were his close companions during those three wonderful years of his ministry! Even on the cross it burned with sublime intensity, as is evidenced by his words, which referred to his persecutors, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Christ Jesus was the great demonstrator of divine Love. On page 54 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Through the magnitude of his human life, he [Jesus] demonstrated the divine Life. Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he defined Love." And Christ Jesus is our great Exemplar.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Among the Churches