It may be said that Christian Science is like a gem of many facets And even as a jewel, when examined in the light, scintillates and sparkles, so Christian Science shines with a spiritual splendor— with the irradiance and warmth of Love.

It is an easy matter to be a Christian toward those who love us. How natural it is to greet a close friend with a smile, call out a cheerful word to one we love, extend a helping hand to a neighbor who would readily do the same for us. It is so simple that all of us will concede that we qualify! But this is not the test of a Christian—especially a Christian Scientist. The love of a Christian must be so deep that no experience can reverse it and cause hatred to spring forth in its stead. Has someone spoken slightingly of us? Are we actuated by an impelling urge to demand a showdown? Have we decided that there is something basic involved, and that postponement of the expression of brotherly affection is clearly in order until an apology is forthcoming? What quality of love is this?

The doctrine of lex talionis is described in Exodus (21:24, 25), wherein it is stated. "Eye for eye tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." This concept of justice runs deep in humanity; it is based on a sense of personal righteousness. It is swift to condemn; nothing less than retribution satisfies it. But what was the Master's wonderful counsel as regards thinking retributively? He said (Matt. 5: 38,44), "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. ... But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

One may ask: Always? Could there never arise an occasion wherein the offense might be so grave, so cruel, so unjustified, that recourse must be had to means other than forgiveness and love? This is a solemn question. It touches businessman and government, employee and employer, counselor and client, husband and wife, father and son student and teacher, officer and private—yes soldier and enemy. The answer is. No. Why? Because there is but one possible interpretation of Jesus' quoted words. They will admit of no other.

Have we really apprehended the import of Jesus' remarkable sayings and his sincere practice? Peter once asked him (Matt. 18:21), "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? till seven times?" The Master answered. "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven"—which is expressive of times without number. And we find the practical loving application of this admonition to Peter in his words at the cross (Luke 23:34), "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

In no other way can we so readily, so definitely, so unmistakably exemplify man's likeness to God than by loving and forgiving. When the Apostle John wrote, "God is love," he was revealing to us the Father. Our Leader has penned a single line in the Christian Science textbook that reveals the essence of this new-old religion. It is a sentence that a Christian Scientist should never forget. She writes in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 113), "The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love."

Yes, it is Love. Humanly, a deficiency of love cannot be counterbalanced by any other quality, however admirable. The strict moralist may be a worthy citizen, yet fail to reflect the spiritual quality of love, so far above the merely moral. The spiritual alone confers the power of grace, the dominion of patience, the sweetness that is unselfed. Since Love is God, all the qualities appertaining to God appertain to Love, and we discover forthwith that Love is expressed in immutability, might, harmony, beauty, gentleness, health fulness, simplicity, justice, freedom, and constancy. Love is the only cause; Love presents the fatherhood and motherhood of God. Love is infinite because God is infinite. Man, the image and likeness of his Father-Mother Love, must therefore exist as the harmonious effect of this perfect cause.

Love is the very basis of healing. The writer at one time had a wart on his finger which was particularly displeasing, and not a little irritating when a pen was used. In the effort to heal this condition work was done in Christian Science for some time without a visible change taking place. One day, while writing, he suddenly came to a stop because of the persistent irritation of the finger. A sense of the great power of Love came over him, and looking down at the wart, he audibly addressed it with these words: "Love didn't make you or put you there." The following day verified the power of the spoken words, for the wart had disappeared without leaving any trace.

John said (I John 4:18). "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." Herein we have the effective antidote for fear: it is Love. Problems melt in the atmosphere of Love. We find that the letter is far less important than the spirit: that tender compassion has a higher healing potential than cold logic. While healing in Christian Science may often require other qualities than love to be expressed, yet no healing was ever consummated without the vital element of love. A genuinely loving attitude or thought, not merely called into action for a specific occasion but constantly lived, is the most effective healing power.

Our Leader gives a rule whereby we may evaluate prayer. Its importance is tremendous, for thereby we gain an appraisal of the sincerity of our requests. "The test of all prayer." she writes in Science and Health (p. 9). "lies in the answer to these questions: Do we love our neighbor better because of this asking? Do we pursue the old selfishness, satisfied with having prayed for something better, though we give no evidence of the sincerity of our requests by living consistently with our prayer?" "The test of all prayer"—that is all prayer ever offered under whatever circumstance—is estimated by the increase of love we feel and express. Have we been searching for something more profound?

Let us add daily to the range and scope of our love, seeking to incorporate the Golden Rule in the minutiae of our family and social relationships. Let us not fail to pray aright—that is, unselfishly, universally. Are we not disciples of the Master? Are these tender words not ours to hear and practice (John 13:34): A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another"?