Article January 14, 1985 Issue

Loving man, hallowing God

DONNA NALLEY RYBURN

The train conductor had made a name for himself for being rude and abusive to passengers. A Christian Scientist who rode his train from the suburbs into the city often witnessed his insolence. One day it was aggressively directed toward her.

She was close to tears when she suddenly realized she had a choice to make. She could weep over the abuse, or she could mentally reject it and open her thought to a better view of her fellowman. Without hesitation she chose the latter course. She had learned in Christian Science that man is the offspring of God and reflects His wholly good nature. Right there on the train the woman silently prayed to discern more clearly the hallowed nature of man as the child of God.

During the remainder of the trip she noticed a remarkable change in the conductor's attitude and actions. As she disembarked he apologized for his treatment of her. She accepted the apology graciously. When they parted he reached out to her. "Friends?" he asked. "Friends," she assured him as she warmly shook his hand.

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