There are many persons in the world who find themselves confronted by obstacles to their peace. Unsought burdens present themselves as disappointments, ill-health, and even deprivation. Sometimes, too, it seems as though one's fellow men are lacking in concern and solicitude for those who are undergoing these experiences and would appreciate a kindly gesture from those farther along the peaceful path. The modest nobility of that quality designated as tenderness—meaning kindness and compassion—is exemplified in the attitude of the master Christian, Jesus of Nazareth, toward all mankind. It is as a beautiful thread of gold glistening in the warp and woof of "the pattern shewed to thee in the mount," and characterizes the teaching of Christian Science in its firm but gentle guidance into dominion and security. Tenderness is an attribute of Spirit.

Mary Baker Eddy discovered the Science of Christianity through consecrated study of the Scriptures and writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 3), "This Science is a law of divine Mind, a persuasive animus, an unerring impetus, an ever-present help." The indisputable proof that Christian Science heals the sick, comforts the unsatisfied, and destroys discord, proves it to be the law of God and of man's true being. In the article just quoted, our Leader adds (p. 5), "Wholly apart from this mortal dream, this illusion and delusion of sense, Christian Science comes to reveal man as God's image, His idea, coexistent with Him—God giving all and man having all that God gives."

Mrs. Eddy wrote the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and founded The First Church of Christ, Scientist. To her uplifted and inspired thought came the revelation of man's indissoluble relationship to creative Principle, divine Love. The Messianic appearing of Christ Jesus proclaimed this sonship. That a spiritual idea is as perfect as its divine Principle, Love, is the basic fact that underlies this revelation. The understanding thereof gives courage, enheartens the receptive one, and demonstrates the power of Spirit in human affairs and relationships.

Christian Science reveals God as Father-Mother, governing His creation justly and with tender might. It is our task to awake to this fact and to yield to God's purpose for man. Ignorance or carelessness may have invaded the field of our thinking. The false teachings of many generations would render barren the promising soil of a hungry heart; but Truth is irresistible. None can think of normal parenthood lacking tenderness, encouragement, guidance, defense, and protection all along the child's developing years. Then how much more surely does God enfold man in His loving care!

That we, as mortals, do not seem to receive the benefits which Christian Science declares are already bestowed on man, is not because God is unmindful of His promises or cognizant of human frailties. Material sense is ignorant of man's divine inheritance, which awaits our recognition. But the awakening to true being is the coming of the Christ, Truth, which rouses and saves one from the Adam-dream of life and intelligence in matter.

Spiritual awakening causes the light of true selfhood to shine into the dark crevices of doubt, fear, apprehension of the future, and kindred errors; and this awakening proves that darkness is but the supposed absence of light. Whoever catches a gleam of Mind's effulgent light receives a stimulus which invites further illumination through study of the Scriptures, and also of the Christian Science textbook and the other works of Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Then with joy he finds that "the night is far spent, the day is at hand," and that the angels of His presence have fulfilled their office! "Tenderness accompanies all the might imparted by Spirit" (Science and Health, p. 514).

That Christian Science affords relief, whatever the predicament may be, was proved by one who was involved in business complications. While in an anxious state, he met a friend who was highly regarded by him. Their conversation turned to a discussion of the situation. The fearful one was reminded of man's true being, at one with God, and of his own true status in Life. Tender words of reassurance followed, and the might and power of Spirit were emphasized. With the conviction that the counterfeit forces of evil cannot disrupt Mind's government of man, the troubled one challenged the falsity that had disturbed him. Then, in place of what had appeared to him as a dark morass, he saw a path leading to sunlit day. The mesmerism of fear faded with the light of Truth, and wisdom disclosed a correct solution. The might and ever-availability of Spirit were again proved victorious.

Each one of us is entitled to the joy and peace which come with the recognition of man's completeness, of man described by our Leader as "the conscious identity of being as found in Science" (ibid., p. 475). To seek first the realm of reality—God's kingdom of right thinking—is the primal move toward spiritual freedom and the solving of human problems. Every intelligent effort made to reach this goal indicates confidence in the tender might of Spirit.