Gentleness and Power

ROLAND RATHBUN HARRISON

When, after considering the world's understanding or concept of the word "power," one turns to the first line of the "Mother's Evening Prayer" by Mrs. Eddy (Poems, pp. 4, 5), the word seems to have found its way into strange company. For this beautiful poem-hymn of our beloved Leader begins, "O gentle presence, peace and joy and power."

The word "power," as accepted in the everyday world of affairs, is generally found consorting with, or is even used as a synonym for, material strength, bodily vigor, undisputed control, sweeping domination; and, indeed, it often conveys the thought of oppression and tyranny. All the world, from the individual to the strongest nation, frequently is pictured as engaged in an unending struggle for power, a struggle in which the weak are ruthlessly crushed. And the world seeks power by material means, by accumulation of riches, by appeal to those in positions of authority, by family ties; yea, even by the sacrifice of honor, by trickery, and by fraud.

Not by any of these did Christ Jesus do his mighty works. On the contrary, he rejected all such means for gaining power; and the words he used on the occasion of such rejection were, "Get thee hence, Satan." Not all the kingdoms of the world which Satan offered him on the mountain top would have given the Master the power to heal a single case of sickness.

The power by which Jesus healed, walked over the waves, and raised the dead is the same power which Mrs. Eddy rightly associates with gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the power of Spirit, of divine Love, the power that flows from the great heart of God. The world knows it not, for the world can never find the way to the "secret place of the most High." The world knows only a counterfeit power which, through all its false history, has been rushing headlong to destruction.

The power marked by gentleness is the power with which the disciples were endued from on high before they began their wonderful works following the crucifixion. It is the power that strengthened Paul and enabled him to suffer unmoved the hatred of the world, to glory in his infirmities, and to declare, "When I am weak, then am I strong." It is the power whereby Stephen, "full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."

Mrs. Eddy, through the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and her other writings, has made it possible for tired humanity to turn from its disappointing struggle to attain a position of power in a worldly sense, and gain a spiritual understanding of real power. This understanding comes by following humbly in the footsteps of the Master, by having the Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus." It comes through listening for, hearing, and obeying the "still small voice," through prayer without ceasing, and through growth in grace.

Through our study of Christian Science we learn that man reflects spiritual power in proportion as he opens the door of consciousness to the gentle, healing Christ. As the Christ-idea is made welcome, dishonest, unworthy thoughts are replaced, and man's entire thinking gradually is brought into line with God's pure thoughts. Among the wrong thoughts to go are those of selfishness, envy, greed, lust, hate, and fear. Then is realized the truth of Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health (p. 192), "Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power."

Man's reflection of true power is gentle in all its ways for "tenderness accompanies all the might imparted by Spirit" (ibid., p. 514). This power enters consciousness with an ineffable calm, with a sweet and holy sense of peace. It brings with it the fuller breath of the liberty that is the loving Father's gift to His children. It stimulates the process of regeneration within, and opens our eyes to the realization that our neighbor is to be seen only as man truly is—God's spiritually perfect child.

In the gentle ministrations of this power is found the answer that "turneth away wrath;" for this power has as its attributes meekness, humility, and kindness. It is not boastful, aggressive, or domineering. It testifies to the ever-presence of the divine Comforter. It is ever seeking to bind up the broken-hearted, lift the load of those wearied by worldly burdens, carry sustenance to the spiritually famished, and uphold the hands of those faithful, consecrated fellow-toilers in the Master's vineyard whose good works make them marks for error's shafts. This power is ever available to remove mountains of error, hold back the Red Sea of the world's envy and hatred, and permit us to walk over the waves of raging animality, lust, and discord. And, finally, this power comes as a fragrant balm to enrich the human affections. It was to this power Jesus referred when he said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"Thou shalt be built up"

November 28, 1925

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit