"Unfaltering tenderness"

Duncan Sinclair

"The little that I have accomplished has all been done through love,—self-forgetful, patient, unfaltering tenderness" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 247). What a light the words just quoted throw on the mental attitude of our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, towards mankind, in her efforts to bring the healing truth to them! Behind her every effort, inspiring and sustaining it to a successful issue, was "love,—self-forgetful, patient, unfaltering tenderness." And is not this what was to be expected of her who discerned that since God is infinite Love, infinite good, evil is unreal?

There is need that Christian Scientists remember Mrs. Eddy's words to-day, need that they inquire of themselves as to how closely they are following her in her Christianly scientific endeavors on behalf of humanity. For, let it be said, the progress of the Christian Science movement can be assured only by its membership following in her footsteps, even as she so wonderfully followed in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. She writes on page 8 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1902: "The spiritually minded are inspired with tenderness, Truth, and Love. The life of Christ Jesus, his words and his deeds, demonstrate Love." Then follow the significant words: "We have no evidence of being Christian Scientists except we possess this inspiration, and its power to heal and to save. The energy that saves sinners and heals the sick is divine: and Love is the Principle thereof."

Every Christian esteems the love of Jesus for humanity, knows how it drew the sorrowful to him for comfort, the sick for healing, the sinning that they might be cleansed, regenerated, saved. And every Christian Scientist knows that the love of Jesus owed its cleansing, comforting, healing power to the fact that it was the reflection of omnipotent divine Love. Of himself Jesus could do nothing. "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works," was the explanation he gave of his healing power. From first to last of his ministry, the Master's aim was to exemplify the love of God to men; and how wonderfully he accomplished his purpose is shown by the numerous healings he wrought through the spiritual understanding he possessed in such rich measure.

"Unfaltering tenderness" is needed in all our human relationships,—"self-forgetful, patient, unfaltering tenderness." This may seem to be asking a great deal of us. But does any Christian Scientist deny the need? What would happen in our church life, for example, if "unfaltering tenderness" were more in evidence than it sometimes is? Would not the meetings of members be more harmonious, and more productive of good? Would not the exchange of helpful opinions be made easier? Would not the application of Principle to the various problems that arise be more readily made? It is certain that he who is purest in heart, tenderest in thought, most self-forgetful and patient where others are concerned, is the one best qualified to judge rightly, to reason correctly and to conclude wisely, not on one problem but on all problems.

In all his work and at all times the Christian Scientist should be unfalteringly tender. What an asset is loving, compassionate thought in the healing work! It goes straight to the patient's heart. And when this takes place, how comparatively easy it becomes to uncover the error that is causing the sickness, and to destroy it by seeing its nothingness! Think, too, of the comfort love always brings to a sufferer! Nothing can possibly take its place. And it not only soothes: it heals. What a joyous experience it is to heal through the understanding of divine Love! How close to God it brings us; how near in thought to our fellow-man; and how marvelously it demonstrates the unity of God—divine Love—and man!

Tenderness, gentleness, love, all are of God. "In the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul," David sang, "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great." God must be first in our thoughts. God must be acknowledged as the source of every real quality, of every tender, loving impulse. As this is done, the mortal self will fall into the background and we shall be able to do His healing work.

What, then, is our duty? Since none of us can say he has attained to the measure of love shown by the Master, should we not strive to express greater tenderness in our lives? This may be asking much of some; for there are those among us who still seem sadly devoid of this great spiritual asset. Be that as it may, it remains for us all to draw nearer to divine Love through spiritual understanding, praying for Love's gracious aid to become more loving, more unfalteringly tender, in every relationship of life.

Duncan Sinclair

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