Article May 10, 1930 Issue

"Thou hast no enemies"

DOROTHEA A. DAVIS

Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, by her unselfish life, her experiences, and her healing writings, teaches us that the essence of Christian Science is Love. When we study the life of the Master, we find it is the pure reflection of divine Love which Christ Jesus expressed among his fellow men, and by which he healed and inspired them, that stands out for us, even the all-encompassing compassion, understanding, and patience that could give the command, "Love your enemies." In her beautiful article "Love Your Enemies," found in "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy tells us the wonderful result of truly obeying this command of Jesus; for here she says (p. 9), "Love thine enemies' is identical with 'Thou hast no enemies.' "

Many years ago the writer had the privilege of giving a little girl, five years old, her first lessons in school work. In order to make the experience more profitable and interesting to the child, the daily sessions were opened with exercises, consisting of a short reading from the Bible and the repetition of the Lord's Prayer. It was found that parts of the twenty-third psalm were being memorized by the child; and so it was taken up in earnest, and the whole psalm was soon committed to memory. Always, however, when the little one came to the line, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies," she said, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine 'anyways.' " After being corrected, she still would confidently and happily repeat "mine 'anyways,' " unaware that she was not repeating the right word.

Since taking up the study of Christian Science the writer has often recalled this incident, which years ago was passed over as amusing, and has thought that therein was hidden a lesson, if one would but see it. The little girl was nearer the truth than is at first seen; for, when all is said and done, who or what are our enemies but our own "anyway," the way we choose to look at the subject? Do we choose the way of erroneous mortal mind thinking, which so often leads to discord and strife, or the way of spiritual understanding, which always leads to harmony and peace?

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