Article October 29, 1927 Issue

Patience

MARGARET LATHAM HULL

One of the most desirable of loving qualities is patience. It confers a double blessing, helping the one who exercises it, giving poise, kindliness, unselfishness, understanding, charity, and blessing the one who receives it, bringing him justice, mercy, and freedom. Fortunate, indeed, is the one who has been dealt with patiently, for he has been given the opportunity to be his best, to proceed without fear of criticism, or to wait until such time as seemed right for him to act. But even more blessed is the one who has shown patience, for by so doing he has gained an understanding which lack of patience would have checked.

Peter, in his second epistle, writes: "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." Jesus, also, urges patience. And what is this valuable quality which we desire so much to receive and to give? It is forbearance with and painstaking care toward others, notwithstanding their infirmities or faults; it is the ability to await events without perturbation or discontent; it is keeping kindliness of heart, even under vexatious treatment from another. To be patient is to be possessed of persevering and untiring energy; to be tolerant, tender, and undiscouraged in helping others; to possess quiet endurance or forbearance under stress.

Mrs. Eddy says in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 454): "Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must 'have her perfect work.'" Patience means willingness to wait for perfection, with the certainty that perfection exists and that it can and will be manifested to us. How futile our human outlining appears in the light of this knowl edge! How necessary it becomes for us to wait patiently for the perfect spiritual concept!

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Teach Me to Love
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