Article October 15, 1927 Issue

Pure Affection

DOROTHY DYRENFORTH-LUMAN

IN the Concordances to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and to the other writings of Mrs. Eddy, a word having many references is "love." The human sense of love is so bound up with self that only as thought catches gleams of the true, spiritual meaning of the word do we experience healing and the mental freedom which it brings, enabling us to glorify God, good, and to rejoice in our God-given birthright of dominion over all that is unlike good.

On page 54 of Science and Health we read: "Through the magnitude of his [Jesus'] human life, he demonstrated the divine Life. Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he defined Love. With the affluence of Truth, he vanquished error." What plenty and what power! And Jesus could use them freely because he knew their source to be God,—omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, boundless Love,—and that our access to it is a pure heart, a pure thought. Only pure affection could thus truly define Love. As we strive to bring into line with good every thought of home, of money, of work, of play, we begin to realize that nothing short of pure affection constitutes the love that is the reflection of Love.

Affection that is pure is unselfish, impersonal, and without pride of power or possession. It is neither emotional nor sensational; for such feelings are begotten of the five physical senses, whereas pure affection is born of spiritual sense and brings into human experience peace, protection, gentleness, forgiveness, patience, tolerance, understanding, and kindness. These qualities are the offspring of Spirit; and by their presence in our daily thinking we may know we are gaining a true sense of love.

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