Article January 25, 1930 Issue

Love, the Universal Solvent

MILDRED G. PORTER

In pondering the universal need of love, one devoutly recalls that memorable morning when, by the shore of the Tiberian sea, Jesus "shewed himself again to the disciples." After they had dined, he asked of Peter, "Lovest thou me more than these?" Replying, Peter said, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." Then came the command, "Feed my lambs." The Master asked the second time, and again the third time, "Lovest thou me?" And the second and third times came the tender command, "Feed my sheep." Could the Master's paramount desire have been brought home more significantly? How appealingly simple the command at first appears! How its vast meaning gradually pervades the heart of the Christian Scientist!

Little wonder the students of Christian Science feel unbounded love for and gratitude to their Leader, Mrs. Eddy, whose vision and obedience empowered her to give to humanity her priceless discovery, which richly unfolds the treasures of the Scriptures! In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she says (p. 113), "The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love."

In seeking deliverance from the false suggestions of lack and limitation, a student had opportunity measurably to prove the might of our Leader's words in Science and Health(p. 242), "In patient obedience to a patient God, let us labor to dissolve with the universal solvent of Love the adamant of error,—self-will, self-justification, and self-love,—which wars against spirituality and is the law of sin and death." A sudden need had arisen whereby a sum of money was demanded in payment of a debt, a sum greater than at the time seemed possible to obtain. When the clouds of sense appeared darkest, the spiritual truth of the words just quoted dawned upon the troubled consciousness, revealing the great fact that at all times, under all circumstances, Love is the true solvent. Immediately the student asked herself whether she was expressing sufficient consideration to her fellow-men. Was she improving to the utmost every least opportunity offered her to cherish and encourage each and every one with whom she came in contact? Had tenderness and loving compassion permeated her every thought, world, and deed? If not, could a single moment be lost in fulfilling these important commands? Quickly even this glimpse of the true idea dispelled the sense of fear, and dark forebodings gave place to serene confidence in the Father's loving care, which unfailingly provides for His children, ever near and dear to Him. Needless to add, the debt was paid, and in a manner devoid of human outlining.

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