ESSENTIALS IN HUMAN RELATIONS

W. BURTON WEBSTER

The growing practice by large business concerns of establishing divisions of public relations focuses the attention of the public upon the importance of human relations between individuals.

Christian Science teaches that the right relationship between all men derives from the understanding of the true relationship between God and man. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 202), "The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice, and God's will must be universally done."

Jesus' lifework and his daily demonstration of his divine sonship offered indisputable evidence of the Christ. Of this, Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 25), "The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus" So it should be the goal of the Christian Scientist to reflect the spirit of the Christ to his neighbors, friends and strangers alike, that God may be glorified. Thus he will be fulfilling Jesus' demand (Matt. 5:16), "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

When we accept the true concept of God as infinite Spirit, or Mind, and of man as the perfect reflection of that Mind, we see that unity exists not only between God and man, but between all the sons and daughters of God. There is little excuse, then, for us to be at odds with neighbors, relatives, or anyone else. Whatever the problem, in the final analysis it is our erroneous concept of God and man which requires transforming. If someone has intentionally or thoughtlessly snubbed us, or if someone has opposed us in a church meeting or at the office, the correction is ours. Not that we may change others, but rather that we may regulate our own thinking. Because God created man perfect in every detail, man expresses only Godlike qualities. God's attributes are man's by reflection, and these we must claim for ourselves and see that they belong to our neighbor.

Exhibitions of temper, anger, malice, or hate make poor impressions upon any audience. Because such erroneous beliefs do not belong to the real man, we can conquer them and their pretended influence. The temptation to believe that any evil tendencies may have been inherited can be instantly rejected as not from God, who is the Father of all.

Our light shines brightest when those about us feel the warmth of our cheerfulness, patience, sincerity, and poise; when they sense the inner happiness and freedom which inspire and animate our words and bearing. The works which glorify God are the practical proofs we show of our understanding of the divine relationship between God and man.

In Dr. Powell's biography of Mrs. Eddy a touching story is related of Mrs. Eddy meeting the exasperating and rude curiosity of one of her neighbors by having her driver take a basket of fruit and a friendly note to this neighbor. We need the good will of all. When we have converted a so-called enemy into a friend by demonstrating the divine power of ever-ministering Love, we have performed a work to the glory of God. Each day we should strive to realize that we are impelled, directed, and sustained by Principle, and that nothing in our thought or action can cause another to be resentful, rude, or unfriendly. We should stand firm in the realization of the perfectibility and purity of God's man, untouched by sin or mortal frailty.

Our human relations will approach the divine and express more and more of the Christ as we heed, and make a part of our demonstration, Mrs. Eddy's words (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 224), "Then, we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; with an equanimity so settled that no passing breath nor accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it; with a charity broad enough to cover the whole world's evil, and sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it,—determined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against God."

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THE CHALLENGE OF CONSISTENCY

October 9, 1954

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