Article May 2, 1953 ISSUE

"THE HAPPY GRACE OF GENTLENESS"

WILLIAM MILFORD CORRELL

Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 485): "Emerge gently from matter into Spirit. Think not to thwart the spiritual ultimate of all things, but come naturally into Spirit through better health and morals and as the result of spiritual growth." In nature the flower unfolds through the application of the natural forces indigenous to its growth. In Science, divine Love reflected in human consciousness brings out the normal, harmonious order, the progressive unfoldment, the natural beauty, and the inherent joy of true being. One of the prime characteristics of divine Love is gentleness.

To this writer, the idea of emerging gently from matter into Spirit does not relate to time, but to manner. Gentleness does not mean slowness, hesitancy, or lack of strength. It refers to growth through understanding rather than through willfulness. In Zechariah we read (4:6): "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."

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