Christian Science is a religion of love. It defines love, explains love, translates love, and demonstrates love. It operates through the law of Love, and when lived and demonstrated inevitably brings forth the fruits of Love. It not only enables one to attain more of good but ennobles and exalts whatever of good has been attained. It brings more of good into one's experience and gives one a finer, truer sense of that which he already has. It eliminates that which is wrong and replaces it with that which is right. It magnifies that which is good and minimizes, yea, destroys that which is evil.

The Scriptures iterate and reiterate the great fact that God is the only creator, cause, and origin of all that truly exists. They further declare that God is Love. Then the only universe there is, is the universe of Love. The universe is governed and sustained by infinite Love, and the only activity in that universe is the activity of love and good. The only laws operating in God's universe are gentle laws, beneficent laws, kindly laws, laws which insure the welfare of God's creation. His universe expresses His loving care and tenderness.

We read in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 514), "Tenderness accompanies all the might imparted by Spirit." How gently and quietly the violet comes up through the sod to give out its beauty and fragrance! How gently, on still days, the little waves lap the shore! How gently the bird sends forth its song of praise and gratitude! How gently the grass waves in the wind! How gently the silvery starlight is shed on the earth! How gently the bud unfolds, and so quietly that the flower is in its full beauty almost before one realizes it!

As one gains a clearer sense of Love divine, one inevitably expresses more of the gentleness, tenderness, and graciousness of Spirit. The Psalmist sang, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." As one perceives something of God's infinitude and greatness as the divine Principle, Love, one inevitably expresses more of Principle in one's thinking and living. As an understanding of the rules of music may eventuate in a pleasing composition, so an understanding of Love's allness brings more of gentleness and spiritual harmony into one's human relationships. Reflected love is never harsh, brusque, nor blatant. It quietly goes on its way and reaches the goal, while self-assertive mortal mind runs off the road, takes the wrong route, and is proved powerless.

How gentle was that tenderest of men, Christ Jesus! His way was one of sweet reasonableness that brought the "Peace, be still" to troubled hearts. He was never patient with sin, but he was patient with the so-called sinner. What sublime tenderness he displayed to those who seemingly were guilty of gross sins! How clearly he saw the image of the Father, which true concept obliterated the false concept of man as sinful and fallen! Except as error called for mighty rebukes, Jesus was gentle in his manner, his speech, his actions; he was a gentleman in the highest meaning of that term. His every word was a healing word, his every thought was a constructive thought, his every act was a noble act. Tenderness and graciousness were conspicuous in his consciousness. What a consummate example he left for us all! How much we need gentleness and tenderness in our contacts with one another; and how much friction we avoid in our churches and dealings with our fellow men by a wise, liberal use of the oil of gentleness! We read in the Bible: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head." Oil was an essential part of the ceremony of consecrating persons and things to the service of God. What more precious ointment could we use than that of gentleness and loving forbearance wherewith to consecrate ourselves to true Christian service?

It is always necessary to take a firm stand for the right, but we want to do the right thing in the right way. In no one thing is this more true than in our speech. Let us take a firm stand gently, speak graciously, listen patiently, and abide the outcome lovingly. Others may not agree with what we have to say, but no one can take exception to gentle ways and a kindly manner. No one is apt to criticize us for being too loving, patient, and tolerant. Let us bear and forbear, speak wisely, judge righteously, and condemn persons never. Many times one's manner carries far more weight than one's words.

A man was once threatened with a lawsuit. The first impulse was to let the law take its course, as he was very confident of a favorable outcome. Then he began to apply what he had learned in Christian Science of the power of Love to govern righteously, to vindicate justice, to bless all impartially, and so he went to see the individual who planned to bring suit. It required only a few minutes under the guidance of Love to reach an amicable settlement, and the friendship there established has continued with mutual benefit.

Gentleness and strength walk hand in hand. They are good companions. A man who is gentle can also be strong. God is omnipotent and God is Love, so the individual who embodies tenderness in his thinking and life is allied to God, the source of all power. He is courageous and firm because he acts for the highest interest of all. He has no fear, but is frank, open, and honest, and he has no other motive than to bring good to everyone. Love's plan is never frustrated, and the loving and meek know that the fulfillment of God's will can bring only a blessing to all. The ministrations of Love are gentle; they are promotive of harmony, and they eventuate in good only.

He who is boundless in His love and illimitable in His goodness manifests Himself only in beneficence and blessings untold. He has no other way to express His love for His children. He gently leads, tenderly protects, unerringly guides, and faithfully guards. To obey Him can bring only peace and joy. How gladsome our way when we follow the path of true accomplishment, the path taken by our Leader, who writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 247), "The little that I have accomplished has all been done through love,—self-forgetful, patient, unfaltering tenderness."