Article May 31, 1930 Issue

Gentleness

JANE SHERER

"And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished." May not the "lily work" be likened to the spiritual graces without which no character, however stalwart it may be, is complete? One may be honest, upright, strong, and truthful, but may lack that which further beautifies character: a warm heart, a cheerful nature—the "lily work" of character.

Jesus was gentle. We too should do kindnesses in a gentle way. The necessity for gentleness as well as strength should be kept constantly in thought when dealing with the sick and the sorrowing. One may lessen his influence for good by being brusque, when great tenderness may be the need of the moment. Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 365, 366), "The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father's loving-kindness."

Many are the fears which beset mankind. One is sometimes surprised to learn the nature of some of the fears of grown persons. An otherwise well-poised individual may have a constant fear of falling; another may fear that someone will take his work from him. But, as taught in Christian Science, each individual has his mission in life; and no one else can fulfill it. Some are even too sensitive to tell just what their fears are, and it requires tenderness and tack to extricate such a sufferer from the domination of foolish fears. In the words of A. E. Hamilton,

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