Love's Transparency

ALICE GARDINER KNAPP

On page 330 of "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mary Baker Eddy we find the following: "The alders bend over the streams to shake out their tresses in the water-mirrors; let mortals bow before the creator, and, looking through Love's transparency, behold man in God's own image and likeness, arranging in the beauty of holiness each budding thought." What a helpful lesson is presented to us by this beautiful word picture, and what an inspiring thought we receive from the careful study of these few lines! First, there is the picture of the alders, gracefully bending over the crystal stream to shake out "their tresses." The water-mirror, transparent and clear, gives back the reflection in all its unmarred beauty. So one, if he will, may bow before his creator and "looking through Love's transparency" see the real man, the true image and likeness of God, Love, in all his splendid, unchanging perfection and beauty.

This was what Jesus saw when, from far and wide, men suffering from all kinds of errors or "devils" came to him. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 59 of "Miscellaneous Writings," "That individual is the best healer who asserts himself the least, and thus becomes a transparency for the divine Mind, who is the only physician." Jesus was ever gazing through "Love's transparency," beholding no trace of error or discord. It was this clear perception which enabled him to perform the instantaneous healings that seem so marvelous to the world to-day.

A little five-year-old girl, who had received instruction in a Christian Science Sunday School, proved in a beautiful way the efficacy of Love's reflection. She was attending kindergarten. One of her fellow pupils seemed to express much discord, and none of the children cared to have him join their games. One Sunday this little girl, her face beaming with joy, told her teacher that all the children liked Joe now. Upon being questioned as to how this had been brought about, Mary said, "Why, I remembered that God is Love, and when I saw Joe in Love, he stopped being cross; and we all love him now." Surely this was looking through "Love's transparency."

On page 586 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy defines "eyes" as "spiritual discernment,—not material but mental." Therefore it follows that when we come prepared to look into Love's mirror, we must come without outlining, without any sense of self-will, self-love, self-justification. Then we shall see the perfect man, thus proving the possibility of obeying one of Jesus' most imperative commands, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

The words "arranging in the beauty of holiness each budding thought" bring to us such a loving admonition. In the beauty of holiness—in perfect accord with the clear perception of Love in all its transparent beauty—we shall arrange "each budding thought," shall watch and guard it in the bud. Then when it flowers, has grown to its full power and completeness, we can indeed see it reflected in Love's mirror.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"Love is the way alway"

July 2, 1927

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit