Charity in Thought and Deed

Duncan Sinclair

The student of Christian Science does not pursue his study long before he becomes aware of the absoluteness of the idealism which it teaches. Likely enough, he had previously been aware, in some degree, of the idealism of Christianity, but had felt as if it were impossible to live in accordance with it. The command quoted by Jesus he was familiar with, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself;" but how could that be done? The writings of Paul on charity, or love, in the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians, he was acquainted with—the charity which "never faileth"; but how difficult it had seemed to practice that charity! And John's words, too, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God"—the thought they expressed, had it not seemed to him sometimes well-nigh beyond the power of a mortal to render practical? But all of that idealism is set forth in the New Testament, and it constitutes the essential nature of Christianity!

Throughout the whole of her writings Mrs. Eddy, who was a devout follower of the Master, holds to the lofty idealism of pure Christianity. Time and again she declares herself whole-heartedly on the side of the moral law as it is set forth in the Decalogue, and urges obedience to that law upon all students of Christian Science. And always in doing so she makes it plain that this obedience results in better health and greater happiness. Purity of thought, love to God and man, steadfast adherence to the truth concerning real being—these, she taught, are essential to the well-ordered lives of men. Not in a single particular did she set aside as impractical the idealism of Christ Jesus and of those who so heroically sought to enlighten mankind regarding it.

Jesus' words, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," ideal as they are, Christian Scientists understand to be entirely scientific. God, Christian Science declares, is the perfect creator or Father, and man is His perfect image or reflection. This relationship between God and man is unchangeable, eternal. As it is discerned by us we apprehend what is meant by the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and perceive that this teaching gives a thoroughly scientific and practical basis for human conduct.

Suppose, for example, that one is believing in some form of imperfection: suppose he is believing in sickness. The demand of Jesus upon him is that he be perfect. What should he do? Christian Science tells him to assert his sonship with God, the perfect Father; to declare the perfection of his spiritual selfhood, at the same time denying the false sense of imperfection. By this means he will be freed from sickness. His understanding of the perfection of real being will have healed him.

The Christian Scientist is able to heal others through his knowledge of the perfection of God and man. And what charity is required in this work! On page 7 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says: "Great charity and humility is necessary in this work of healing. The loving patience of Jesus, we must strive to emulate." But then, the Christian Science practitioner knows the perfection of man, knows that only that which is perfect is real; and this knowledge inspires him in his every effort to render the belief of disease unreal to his patient. Without doubt, the greater the practitioner's humility and love the greater is his power to demonstrate the spiritual truth that heals.

Humility and charity are needed in all our human relationships. In "No and Yes" (p. 8) it reads: "We should endeavor to be long-suffering, faithful, and charitable with all. To this small effort let us add one more privilege—namely, silence whenever it can substitute censure." What a wealth of charity the words contain! Can we doubt what would happen if all were in possession of it? And if we are not observant of the charity the words seek to inculcate, are not we disregarding what as Christian Scientists we know is true, namely, that God is the Father of all, and that all are brethren?

What need there is among men for charity in thought and deed! One stands in amazement at the loveless way people and their doings are sometimes criticized by those who, presumably, are aware of the teaching of Christianity on the fatherhood and motherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. What of the silence which should take the place of censure whenever it can? Our revered Leader speaks so wisely, and with such a breadth of spiritual vision, when she writes on the page of "No and Yes" quoted from above, "We can rejoice that every germ of goodness will at last struggle into freedom and greatness, and every sin will so punish itself that it will bow down to the commandments of Christ,—Truth and Love." It is that loving, charitable, Christianly scientific view which is needed to establish harmony on earth, and to retain it when established.

Duncan Sinclair

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God's Law Ever Available

August 18, 1934

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