Article July 9, 1932 Issue

More Jonathans

MYRA A. PAINE

The world needs more Jonathans, with their faithful affection and brotherly love. This thought Mrs. Eddy has expressed in her 1895 address to The Mother Church (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 110): "Beloved children, the world has need of you,—and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives."

That Jonathan exemplified these desirable traits of character to a marked degree is apparent from a study of his service to David. The story runs that when Jonathan first became acquainted with David "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." Moreover, "Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David."

It was Jonathan who manifested unselfish joy for his friend's honorable position in the kingdom, even though it meant relinquishing his own rightful rank and power. It was Jonathan who watched faithfully to give wise counsel and friendly protection so that David was able to rise to prominence. No one would adjudge Jonathan a greater man than David; yet, no one can minimize the self-abnegation and great love which Jonathan manifested.

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