Article May 10, 1952 Issue

"JEWELS OF LOVE"

WILLIAM E. MASTERSON

More precious than fine gold are the jewels of meekness and temperance. Says our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, "Meekness and temperance are the jewels of Love, set in wisdom" (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 79). Since temperance and meekness are "jewels of Love" and are "set in wisdom," those who possess them are pure in affection and wise in action. Says the Psalmist (Ps. 25:9), "The meek will he guide in judgment." Meekness, temperance, wisdom, and unselfed love are thus concomitants. The loving and lowly of heart are, indeed, wise and moderate in thought and human behavior.

St. Paul tells us that meekness and temperance are fruits of the Spirit and that "against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:23): and Mrs. Eddy writes, "I saw these fruits of Spirit, long-suffering and temperance, fulfil the law of Christ in righteousness" (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 45). Meekness and temperance are then among the graces of Spirit, are Christly qualities, and as the individual expresses them he fulfills the law of Christ in righteousness.

Spenser well said, "He calmed his wrath with goodly temperance." The law of Christ, embodying the divinely derived qualities of temperance, meekness, wisdom, and unselfed love, conquers the lusts of the flesh and other errors of the corporeal senses. These graces of Spirit, active in human consciousness, still strife, annihilate hatred and anger, and moderate desire and behavior. They are positive spiritual forces, which neutralize and destroy the negative and lawless evils of pride and intemperance. These evils have no dominion over one who manifests meekness and wisdom.

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