Criticism is often associated with harsh and captious faultfinding, whereas appreciation is generally regarded as a wholly admirable quality.

No two words, it would seem, could be less compatible. Yet these terms are actually complementary. A critic is one who evaluates, and appreciates the worth of what he judges. As Mrs. Eddy points out in Science and Health, "Motives and acts are not rightly valued before they are understood." ^{Science and Health, p. 238;}

How easy it is to be censorious when faced with an action, a statement, or a work of art that at first seems incomprehensible to us! But is it not worth the effort to appreciate the motive or aim, the quality, of whatever may seem to incur our censure? Only in this way can we obey the scriptural injunction, "Judge righteous judgment." ^{John 7:24;}

What if we appear to be on the receiving end of adverse criticism? Do we bristle with indignation? Or do we examine our thinking to see whether the estimate is justified? If it is, are we grateful or resentful?

Christ Jesus did not hesitate to utter a strong rebuke. On one occasion he said to Peter, "Thou art an offence unto me." Yet he had told the same disciple, when Peter acknowledged his Christ-mission, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." ^{Matt. 16:23, 18;} He fully appreciated Peter's recognition of the rock, the Christ, Truth.

True, it often seems easier to remain silent than to tell another of his faults. But is not such silence sometimes a form of selfishness, a yielding to the temptation to take the easy way out?

We can also learn to value the brotherly love that prompts a friend to draw our attention to a fault we may be harboring. Even if our friend's criticism appears to be based on a misunderstanding, we can be thankful for the opportunity to correct a false impression and so place the friendship on the firmer ground of mutual esteem and understanding.

Rather than give a hasty rebuke, it is well to pause and silently pray for brotherly understanding. It may well be that an expression of appreciation will dissolve the need for a rebuke, as I found out on one occasion.

I was, at the time, the editor of an annual trade publication required to be off the press and in circulation by the beginning of each year. Usually the work proceeded smoothly, and the printers delivered the volumes on schedule. One year, however, shortly before Christmas, the representative of the printers telephoned me to say that owing to an industrial dispute it would be impossible for them to meet the delivery date, nor could they give any assurance as to when they might be able to effect delivery.

At first I was tempted to allow feelings of annoyance and resentment to flood my consciousness. But then I began to consider the situation constructively in the light of Christian Science.

As I thought about it, I realized that over many years the printers had always given very good service and I had never previously had occasion for complaint. Here, at least, was something for which I could be grateful. So I sent a Christmas card to the printers with a note asking them to convey my thanks to all concerned for their cooperation during the past year.

A few days later their representative called me again. This time there was a ring of joy in his voice as he exclaimed, "A miracle has occurred! It looks as though your job will be completed on time after all." Then he added, "I think it was your Christmas card that did it!"

In a By-Law captioned "A Rule for Motives and Acts," in the Manual of The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy states: "In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness. The members of this Church should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously." ^{Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 1.}

What a wonderful basis the rule for love and forgiveness provides for true Christlike criticism! If a rebuke seems called for, we can first make sure that it is divine Love that is impelling our action. Then we can make very certain that we understand and appreciate our own and our brother's true, Love-governed selfhood. Only when we have honestly met these criteria are we equipped to offer our criticism in the spirit of brotherly charitableness, to "judge righteous judgment," which forestalls resentment and offense with blessing and healing.