In the mid-nineteenth century, some of the truths so valued now by Christian Scientists were being actively sought and in some degree found by various spiritually-minded people. During this period, for example, a minister for some small Protestant groups in London, Thomas Toke Lynch, published a book of poems. It includes a verse that fairly breathes a prayer for a more healing Christian communication and witness.

Because this poem later found a home in the Christian Science Hymnal, many have sung its prayer:

Perhaps some, like me, have felt while singing these words a silent rebuke of conscience, an uncomfortable reminder of ungracious words and actions that cannot be retracted, at least from the company and context where they were originally said and done. Yet as if to uplift from remorse for past mistakes, there comes also the inspiring hope that the hymn's prayer will have its ultimate answer as individuals practice the Science of Christ that Jesus himself demonstrated in his own ministry. Somehow one feels an assurance that all who repent of ungraciousness will be forgiven their mistakes.

Christian Science offers constant opportunity for such gracious restoration. Those who through dedicated practice of Science prayerfully discipline themselves to think helpful, healing thoughts prepare themselves to speak helpful, healing words. As we obey Truth we find that Truth accomplishes in us the blending of boldness with meekness we so much desire. The divine Life, God, reveals His gracious nature through individuals who let the Christ-spirit, inherent in each of us, shine forth. And through true discipleship we communicate the message of original Christianity, which many discover in the healing practice of Christian Science.

The desire to express more spiritual graciousness in our speech and action impels us to search our hearts and to cast out whatever ungracious tendencies we have unwittingly harbored there. In this way we remove obstructions to our communion with God, that we may receive His answer to our prayer for better healing communication. The animal propensities inherent in the carnal or mortal mind—the suggestion of intelligence, communication, and power apart from God—would resist our progress. Entertaining an overly sensitive or volatile temperament, for instance, would cause one to berate and nag others haughtily rather than seek gently and helpfully to heal shortcomings.

A display of ill-tempered arrogance is the direct antithesis of the Christ-spirit, which speaks through faithful witnesses in healing words and works. Irascibility never possessed the Godlike, spiritual man—our genuine selfhood—or even entered his immortal nature. Man expresses divine Soul, which includes no element of evil. Man witnesses for what the Bible says of God, "Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." ^{Ps. 86:15.}

A bad temper is metaphorically represented in the animal kingdom by the shrew, a tiny, high-strung, rodent-like mammal for which the ungracious quality of shrewishness is named. Shrewishness may be thought to be natural for an animal species, but it is unnatural and undesirable in people. Shakespeare's well-known comedy The Taming of the Shrew has alerted many a reader to be wary of becoming shrewish, for the play presents an extreme example in the temperamental Katherina. Yet shrewishness proves to be as fictitious as Kate herself.

Shakespeare, who created Kate's character for his play, was free to change her in whatever way he chose. He chose to have her conquer her unpleasant disposition under the strict regimen of her husband.

Because the mortal selfhood is a product of mortal mind, we, too, are free to change our concept of ourselves. Christian Science offers us the means to tap the spiritual discipline we need in order to overcome misconceptions of man's true, spiritual individuality—to exchange arrogance for humility, harshness for gentleness, contentiousness for graciousness.

God's man—our true selfhood—is not a shrew or a churl; he is uncondemning and loving by nature. Man is not a crosspatch; he is not ruled by temper but is governed by Soul. Christ, God's saving idea, helps us resist the temptation to be overbearing; Christ heals both the domineering and the dominated, restoring man's God-bestowed dominion. Christ, the perfect manhood that Christ Jesus so graciously, gloriously exemplified, speaks and acts through us whenever we open our hearts and lives to permit it to do so.

We show forth the influence of Christ in our experience as we grapple with mortal-mindedness and gradually overcome all belief in evil. Of this Christian warfare with evil thoughts and traits, Mrs. Eddy writes: "Who hath not learned that when alone he has his own thoughts to guard, and when struggling with mankind his temper, and in society his tongue? We also have gained higher heights; have learned that trials lift us to that dignity of Soul which sustains us, and finally conquers them; and that the ordeal refines while it chastens." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 126.}

Even Shakespeare had to keep his characters in character! It may require great self-discipline to watch our thoughts when no one is around to hear if we're out of sorts. It may not be easy to remember to teach our children graciously to do right instead of merely yelling at or punishing them when they do wrong. We may need to pray as we go in order to drive in heavy traffic without angrily honking and snarling at drivers who crowd in front of us instead of waiting their turn. We may have to resist mightily the temptation to intimidate others with our "superior" wisdom. But the reward is abundantly worth our efforts. Even one individual who is graciously consecrated to Truth may speak healing words that can help to change the course of history. Through the meek boldness of the gracious, the healing Christ communicates its unprecarious peace to all mankind.

Carolyn B. Swan