Article February 13, 1971 Issue

The Tender Word

VIRGINIA THESIGER

In most countries justice must not merely be done; it must be seen to be done. So, in Christian Science, compassion should be seen to be compassionate. We know that true compassion is an instant application of divine Love to a human problem; the aim of one who reflects Love is to rid people of their false beliefs. However, in our desire not to add to the seeming reality of these beliefs but to reject them we may sometimes give an impression of indifference, even of coldness.

When told by a friend of some illness he is experiencing, the Christian Scientist instinctively denies the reality of this ailment. He mentally asserts, with spiritual conviction, that man, as an idea of God, expresses all God's qualities, is spiritual, whole, perfect. Of course it is essential to withdraw his thoughts from the material illusion; but while doing this, the dedicated Scientist will be careful to keep in contact with the human situation so that there is no sense of aloofness. Nothing should, or indeed can, stop him from bearing witness to the love of God.

In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "The tender word and Christian encouragement of an invalid, pitiful patience with his fears and the removal of them, are better than hecatombs of gushing theories, stereotyped borrowed speeches, and the doling of arguments, which are but so many parodies on legitimate Christian Science, aflame with divine Love."^{Science and Health, p. 367;} Here is no suggestion that the tender word and Christian encouragement should be held up while one retreats into the spiritual absolute. Indeed, it is the expression of these Christlike qualities that so often prepares the way for healing. Mrs. Eddy also writes, "The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus."^{p. 25;} Where the healing Christ is present, the love of God is not only evidenced; it is felt to be meeting the human need sympathetically.