Love's Power

MYRTLE BIRNBAUM

The writer is one of those who are grateful for physical benefits, but most thankful for the understanding of God as Love as a practical basis from which to work out human problems. Not long ago there came to me an added proof that my conviction on this point is well grounded.

While I was engaged in teaching, a boy was attending our school who had the name of being the bad boy of the community. His record was one of stealing, cheating, and lying, and though the principal had scolded, punished, and suspended him, there was no apparent change. One term he fell of my lot, and the other teachers offered me their sympathy, for, as they said, he kept things stirred up. I paid little attention to him until he began to annoy me considerably, and then I knew it was time to awake to the demands of Truth.

Upon visiting the child's home, I found conditions far from ideal, and love seemed to be entirely lacking. It was then that I began to take long walks with him, and brought him historical books, which he much enjoyed. All the time I strove to see mentally the perfect child, in the image and likeness of God, instead of the mortal counterfeit, which seemed to be very wicked. He was evidently surprised that any one should be interested in him, or show him any loving-kindness; but after a couple of months there was a complete change, so that he did not give me any trouble the remainder of the term.

It seems so easy to love our own little circle of family and friends, yet to love in the universal sense, as taught by the great Nazarene prophet and as reaffirmed by Mrs. Eddy, seems somewhat of a task to the human mind. I have found, however, that by loving all mankind, even those who from a human sense of justice we consider our enemies, we not only heal ourselves, but lift these others up into the sunshine of love and peace. As we read on page 12 of "Miscellaneous Writings," "In Christian Science, the law of Love rejoices the heart; and Love is Life and Truth."

This rejoicing is another striking characteristic of the genuine Christian Scientist. There may have been "blue days" before we knew God and understood man's relation to Him, but when we learn in Christian Science that our Redeemer liveth, it is a blessed privilege to be about our Father's business. My heart goes out in deep gratitude to our beloved Leader, who loved God enough to bring this healing truth again to light.

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