"AND BE YE KINDLY AFFECTIONED."

John B. Willis

All who are familiar with the introductory pages of the chapter on Christian Science Practice in Science and Health, are prepared to understand the deep significance of Mrs. Eddy's very brief and very beautiful characterization of the ministry and meaning of our Lord's humanity, which is expressed in the words, "Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he defined Love" (Science and Health, p. 54).

The self-forgetful affection of Christ Jesus for the seemingly unlovable,—for the whole world lying in wickedness, ready to reject, aye, to crucify him,—this is indeed wonderful, and the thought that in it he "defined Love" awakens a new concept of the possible meaning of every human life, even yours and mine. We begin to realize that the Christlike man is he who finds in every call for the expression of brotherly kindness and affection an opportunity to make men see and understand the very heart of God, and we perceive as we have not before why our Leader should have counseled us to pray daily, "And may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!" (Manual of The Mother Church, p. 41).

It is clear that if Christian Science has come thus to enrich and govern the impulses of the heart, any show of coldness or indifference to human relations is not only incongruous but quite impossible to those who worthily represent its teaching, and that an attitude which is so assertedly "scientific" that it fails to be either sympathetic or sensible, is nothing more nor less than pharisaism and that of the worst sort. In fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy. "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench," the Master made known in a thousand tender words and deeds that he had come to lift up the fallen and to comfort them that mourn, and the gladness and freedom with which the common folk and the little children always approached him speak unmistakably for that true compassion with which he ever proved that, in all our relations to others.

Love is the password, love is the toll,
Love is the golden key.

When we remember that to define God is the vital end of all true greatness, and accept the fact that this ministry may be wrought by even the humblest if they but love sincerely, it is seen that the commonest path may indeed be hedged with flowers and paved with gold. Mrs. Eddy has said that love enlarges, purifies, and elevates the nature, and that "it is not poured forth vainly even though it meet no return" (Science and Health, p. 57). In most experiences there is some return, a compensation which is sweet and comforting beyond words, and when to this guerdon there is added the realization that in all true, unselfish loving we are making men acquainted with God, then indeed a new significance attaches to every outgoing of the heart, and life takes on that finer expression defined by him who said, "Christian Science leads me to be kinder and kinder, more and more gentle, more and more true."

Surely no one can ignore the human when he comes to see that through its constant betterment by love he may reveal the divine; and this is the glory of every-day life, that it is ever bringing us moments of Messianic privilege, opportunities to flash into the eyes of heart-hungry men the rays of infinite Love through some facet of kindly ministry. Surely "so to love and be loved is part of that saintliness of life by which humanity is moved onward." "God is love." So said

The sinless years
That breathed beneath the Syrian blue.

In every hour, every deed, every word of that dear life, the comfort and strength of this immortal truth was brought to men, and in the presence of his glorious example there come to each one of us today these appealing words, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

John B. Willis.

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LETTERS TO OUR LEADER

April 10, 1909

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