SYMPATHY

C. A. CARR

SYMPATHY is a quality whose character, in the ordinary sense of the word, has been considerably changed through Christian Science, but this change enables one to sympathize in a more practical manner than was ever for a moment contemplated before scientific Christianity explicated its fuller meaning. It has so often been said that Christian Scientists lack sympathy, that it is well to bear in mind, when thus accused, what the view-point of the critic is and to meet him with love and forbearance. From the standpoint of those yet unacquainted with the higher teachings of Mrs. Eddy, it may appear, and undoubtedly does on occasions, that Christian Scientists do not sympathize with people in illness or adversity to the extent they used to; but if this is the thought engendered, it is only born of ignorance, for in the truest sense sympathy of a deeper nature than any heretofore expressed is felt by the Scientist.

In analyzing this sentiment it is found that Christian Scientists, while endeavoring to reflect divine Principle, do not express sympathy in the same way they once did, because they recognize disease as a form of error to be destroyed, not sympathized with, and it is this that often gives rise to misapprehensions as to their attitude. They strive to separate error from their thought of the individual, and while they do not sympathize with the error, they feel great compassion for those who are struggling in the slough of despond. To others who have not yet learned how to look at error impersonally, there remains an acute resentment at the apparently unsympathetic method of treating sickness as an enemy instead of as a friend. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Sympathy with error should disappear" (Science and Health, p. 211), and in carrying out this injunction the more helpful and ideal way of being in accord with and possessing a knowledge of the real man comes into consciousness, while symptoms of discord are disregarded as unworthy of being submitted to.

The Christian Scientist is learning what it means to hold oneself or others in bondage to wrong thoughts, and if in the endeavor to release others one's own attitude is misconstrued, the way will become plainer in time, for sooner or later all must come into the knowledge of the truth. The prophet Jeremiah expresses this lament, "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!" but this sort of sympathy must give way to the higher thought. Isaiah saw farther when he wrote, "And the ransomed of the Lord... shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." With John's clear thought we read, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." One may well inquire whether it is better to make a reality of sickness and sorrow by commiserating with it, or to know its unreality by denying its existence, even at the cost of being temporarily misunderstood.

There is no record that our Master sympathized with either sickness or sin by condoning it, although he showed great compassion; rather do we glean from the Gospels that while he cheered the sorrowful, he rebuked erroneous thoughts and proved them to be mortal delusions. Nevertheless the ordinary sufferer in sin, sickness, or adversity today loves the anachronistic method of sympathy; he loves also to have the sympathy of friends in what he is doing, whether, mayhap, it is drinking to excess, wrongdoing of any kind, or to have the company of another person stretched on a bed of sickness beside him. It is so reassuring to satisfy oneself, when doing wrong, with the thought that others are doing the same; but two wrongs never made a right, and it is all important to understand the truth of being. The Hindoo widow, until stopped by British law, showed sympathy for the death of her husband by casting herself on his funeral pyre. The anarchist shows his sympathy for mankind by murdering the innocent. A mother thinks she is sympathetic when she pets her child who has hurt itself and affirms how bad the injury is. Many other instances of what sympathy is considered to be might be quoted, but the real law is ever paramount and has only to be discerned. Every phase of human belief apes the real, but as Mrs. Eddy says, "a lie has only one chance of successful deception,—to be accounted true" (Unity of Good, p. 17).

To demonstrate true sympathy, purification of thought is necessary, error must be given no power, and the real status of man discerned; then sin, sickness, and all evil feel Truth's condemnation and fade into nothingness. Christian Scientists are practical sympathizers in every sense; they are not content by any means to sympathize only in words, but they also try to express it in deeds by succoring humanity. They have begun to realize more clearly that "faith without works is dead," and although they may not sympathize ostentatiously, still all are doing their best according to their understanding, and in proportion to their understanding they are enabled to show practical sympathy and glorify the Father which is in heaven.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

THE MANUAL OF THE MOTHER CHURCH

February 27, 1909

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit