Gentleness and Tenderness

MARJORIE LIGERTWOOD

The two great qualities of divine Love, gentleness and tenderness, are sometimes apt to be overlooked. To false human sense, which extols force and pushfulness, they seem to be rather feeble; but in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings they are given their proper value.

In the epistle of James we read, "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy;" in Paul's epistle to the Galatians we find the words, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith;" and in Psalms, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." The greatest people we have known have been gentle. Even in our language, "a gentleman" is the highest title we can give the man who, as one has so beautifully put it, "does things gently, with love."

Jesus was undoubtedly the gentlest and most tender of all who ever trod our globe; and in so many accounts of his healings we read that he "touched" the sufferer. Cannot we realize the ineffable benediction and gentleness of that touch! Of the Messiah it was written, "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench." Gentleness and tenderness come in and do the healing work, whereas force and will-power knock in vain. As Mrs. Eddy points out in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 367), it is "the tender word and Christian encouragement of an invalid" that are needed to calm his fears and remove his doubts.

The gentle rains and the warm sunshine cause the flowers to unfold in the springtime, whereas the strong cold blasts of winter leave them unawakened. We should remember this particularly when bringing Christian Science before the biased thought that seems to oppose it. Gentleness and tenderness will work wonders when a stern statement of our doctrine would have no effect whatever. Gentleness always implies sureness and confidence in the truth we are declaring; whereas forcefulness and impatience may imply doubt and uncertainty.

Mrs. Eddy says in a beautiful letter "To a First Reader" which appears in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 247), "It is not a stern but a loving look which brings forth mankind to receive your bestowal,—not so much eloquence as tender persuasion that takes away their fear;" and farther on she adds, "The little that I have accomplished has all been done through love,—self-forgetful, patient, unfaltering tenderness." May we be so imbued with these beautiful qualities of divine Love that we shall ever radiate their heavenly power and grace!

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"Pure humanity, friendship, home"

January 14, 1928

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit