FORGIVENESS OF ONESELF AND OTHERS

HARRIET PATCHIN BOTHAM

In that prayer of prayers, the Lord's Prayer, is the plea, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." The forgiveness of oneself as well as of others is clearly taught by Mary Baker Eddy, a devout follower of Christ Jesus. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she interprets the foregoing line in the words (p. 17), "And Love is reflected in love."

Christian Science reveals that there can be no forgiveness, either of oneself or of another, without a proper sense of true selfhood. Science makes clear that one's real selfhood is the likeness of God, the image of Love, the idea of Mind, and thus is incapable of injuring or offending, or of being injured or offended. It teaches also that this self has never fallen from its high estate of perfection and that any appearance to the contrary is but a denial of spiritual fact.

The writer had an experience which makes this point clear. Some years ago she had occasion to overcome a sense of injustice. She did considerable research in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings in connection with the word "forgiveness" and succeeded in ridding her thinking of resentment against certain individuals. However, she continued to feel depressed and unhappy. "What more can I do?" she asked herself over and over. Although she searched her thought for the error which was holding her in bondage, it was not uncovered until a severe physical disorder forced a thorough mental house-cleaning.

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