Article February 20, 1932 Issue

Brotherly Love and Its Manifestation

HORTENSE L. WHEELER

Although eyes blindfolded to human need perceive it not, still brotherly love is the reflection of the Love divine, and its manifestation is a divine command, imperative and irrevocable. Love is Life itself, and is eternal. Love was taught and demonstrated by the Master, who stressed at all times the need of brotherly love. To his followers he said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another"—not that we may or might, but that we must. And, again, he commanded them, saying, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

The Master's appeal was for the demonstration of brotherhood. In view of this fact, it is regrettable that even among his professed followers there should sometimes be so little interest manifested in the welfare and happiness of others to whom love seems especially due. For where we look for love, do we not often find neglect, indifference, and avoidance of brotherly obligations, and sometimes even resentment, antagonism, and condemnation?

Is there any remedy for the world's mesmerism of indifference? Is there healing to be found for the lack of love? Christian Science answers in the affirmative, "with signs following." It does this through giving mankind a clearer understanding of man's unity with his Maker, and consequently a fuller comprehension of his oneness with his brother. In a world believing in the reality of matter, racial distinction, so-called laws of heredity, intellectual superiority, the star of brotherly love shines often in the darkness, and the darkness knows it not. To-day, through the unfoldment of spiritual equality, Christian Science is piercing the darkness and breaking down the barriers of superstition and false education. It presents a lovable man, one who is worthy of highest regard. Through spiritual perception we behold the real self of our brother as the divine image, the counterpart of our own real and perfect selfhood. When we thus behold him, we no longer look at the mortal concept; Christ, Truth, has taken from our brother's face the mask of mortality, and shown us in its place the perfect man, the immortal son of God. In this divine brotherhood our brother's interests are seen to be our interests; his good, our good. If mortal mind appears to have bound him with chains "grievous to be borne," we seek to deliver him from this bondage. In spiritual equality, where all men are equal and one with God, there exists no oppression, competition, or any transaction that does not bring some measure of good. The standard of brotherhood in Christian Science rests on divine Principle. It rests upon the understanding and demonstration of Principle, Spirit, which is the only true basis for the brotherhood of man. It has been through the lack of this understanding that the world has failed to demonstrate universal brotherhood.

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