Editorial April 5, 1930 Issue

Universal Good

Violet Ker Seymer

Of particular significance in relation to the universality of good is the Master's saying, "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." When an individual expresses antagonism towards Christian Science, it may seem as though there were sad disunity between that member and others in the family to whom this religion has proved itself to be the "pearl of great price." Yet, remembering that the candle, as our Master said, "giveth light unto all that are in the house," Christian Scientists will be very watchful lest such a member be made to feel himself an intruder in his own house, an unwelcome deterrent to freeflowing conversation. There is some good quality expressed through everyone, and at this point even a professed atheist is united to every other expression of good.

On page 21 of "Pulpit and Press" Mrs. Eddy refers to "a love unselfish, unambitious, impartial, universal,—that loves only because it is Love;" and, speaking of Christian Scientists, she continues: "Moreover, they love their enemies, even those that hate them. This we all must do to be Christian Scientists in spirit and in truth." Universal love, reflected in the heart of the Christian Scientist, pleads for the inclusion of all in the kingdom of heaven, and the exclusion of none. Can it yet be said, moreover, of any student of Christian Science, even with all the advantages he has, that his every thought is invariably true, pure, light-bearing? Or are these characteristics of spiritual man sometimes hidden under a bushel? If, for instance, a Christian Scientist attributes to another's attitude toward Christian Science his own limited growth and happiness, does he not believe that the spiritual light which is to be set on a candlestick for the joy and comfort of all that are in the house, including his own, can be dimmed by the seeming presence of unbelief and hostility to Truth? The true thinker does not accept the evidence of hostility, ignorance of Truth, as a reality. On the contrary, he humbly strives to be a consistent reflection of the God who "sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust," and of the infinite Love which "thinketh no evil." On the same page of "Pulpit and Press" Mrs. Eddy writes, "To perpetuate a cold distance between our denomination and other sects, and close the door on church or individuals—however much this is done to us—is not Christian Science." In the one Mind there is no prejudice, no narrowness, no antagonism to Truth, for God is All-in-all; and this fact is being demonstrated day by day in the Christian Science movement.

Not only did Jesus say that the candlestick was to light all that were in the house, but he spoke of himself and of all his true followers as "the light of the world." Could anything be wider? Then let us beware of the bushels of self-righteousness or self-condemnation, fear of others, or a tendency to sit "in the seat of the scornful." Let us also banish selfish sorrow, and the suggestion that we are unable to reflect universal Love. There is Truth enough, Love enough, joy and health enough for all; and this beneficent fact Christian Scientists yearn most especially to convey to those whom circumstances or, perhaps, difficult temperaments, seem to have deprived of their divine rights.

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