Article August 14, 1926 Issue

Christian Love

BEULAH HYDELOFF

A HEARTSICK , hungry world eagerly awaits the word of understanding; it yearns for the support of compassionate love. Shall we, like the priest and the Levite, pass by on the other side, ignoring the silent pleading? Or shall we, forgetting prejudices and selfish ambitions, stop by the roadside and minister to the weary and heartsick? We who have named the name of Christian Scientist have no choice but to obey the command of our beloved Master, "that ye love one another," knowing as we do that without this love the letter of our religion becomes but a hollow mockery.

We have no excuse for forgetting the spirit of Christian Science—this glorious vision of "on earth peace, good will toward men," this healing panacea for every ill, whose heart and soul is Love. Possibly it is our haste to bridge the distance between old mortal beliefs and complete spiritualization of thought that makes us neglect the humbler steps of intermediate growth, thus forfeiting the friendly common touch. But we need never be so immersed in the letter or so impatient of spiritual progress that we overlook our brother in his human need or dismiss him with cold theories. No one of us has advanced so far that we can be at our best without the tender expressions of Christian love in our daily lives. And if we as Christian Scientists need this encouragement and affection, how much more does our brother whose eyes may see only dimly, if at all, the all-embracing Christ, Truth!

Our love for God is measured by our love for man; and that love is recognized only as we give and serve. It is not necessary to seek in the highways and byways. If our hearts overflow with gratitude and love to God, we shall have occasion to give of our inspiration and understanding every moment. There are men and women at our very door whom the mental thieves of material thinking have stripped of hope and courage. Their hearts long for release, but they know not where to turn. What a glorious opportunity is ours to refresh and restore such with the cup of Christian love! How readily, how spontaneously, we should give it; for have we not learned to look away from sense-testimony to God, who is infinite Love? The knowledge that man is made in His image and likeness must bring the healing truth to light; and we know man to be lovable because he is the reflection of Love. Think what this sympathetic understanding and warm response must mean to those starving on the husks of materiality! Can we afford to withhold? If we do withhold, may it not be that we have yielded to the arrogant suggestion that loving is a means of grasping for one's self? Then let us quietly reason together. The Samaritan did not give with thought of recompense; the joy of serving another was all he sought. And in the serving he gave full measure, running over. What greater reward could there have been than the deep gladness and spiritual peace which this compassionate benevolence must have brought him?

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