One of the great desires in the hearts of most individuals is to be loved and appreciated by others. No one enjoys being misrepresented, misjudged, misunderstood, despised, and rejected of his fellow men. A careful study of the four Gospels reveals that Christ Jesus yearned to be loved and appreciated for what he was and what he stood for. He would not compromise his understanding and application of divine Principle to gain this love, but he longed for others to comprehend the law of God and its application to the solution of all human problems.

Isaiah had prophesied that when the Messiah came he would be "despised and rejected of men" (53:3). Jesus prayed that such a cup of bitter experience might not be his. He labored to prove that the people did love the truth and that they wanted the better way of Life which a true knowledge of God would bring. At one time four thousand sought him, and they loved the truth so much that they abode with him for three days. On another occasion there were five thousand. More than once a multitude thronged him, so eager were they for that which he had to give. A few days before his crucifixion multitudes went before him singing psalms and laying palms in his pathway.

But the mesmeric suggestion that the world is peopled with carnally-minded men and women who hate and reject the truth seemed momentarily to succeed. Jesus was crucified. But three days later he was back with his disciples, helping them to see that the kingdom of heaven is always at hand and encouraging them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

These faithful disciples continued to tell people about Christ Jesus and the truth which he presented, which would heal the sick and reform the wayward. Paul and others traveled through many parts of the Roman Empire gaining converts to Christianity by helping them to love and accept the Christ, Truth. Most Christian churches today are still dedicated to the task of helping people know about Christ Jesus, to love him and accept him as the Messiah, or Saviour. They are working to prove that today he is not despised and rejected of men, but can be loved and appreciated by all.

Christ Jesus prophesied that some day there would come another Comforter, called the "Spirit of truth," which would abide with the world forever. The beloved disciple John foretold in his book of Revelation that when this Science of Christianity was presented, it too would be met with hatred and opposition.

When Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science in 1866, it was her sanguine hope that it would be immediately and universally loved and accepted. When this did not take place, however, she did not become discouraged, but continued to heal the sick and preach the gospel wherever she had the opportunity. She was grateful when she found one, or ten, or a hundred who loved the truth and accepted it.

Christian Scientists today have the same blessed privilege of healing and helping mankind so that this Science of Christianity will be loved and accepted by more and more. Much progress has already been made. Many clergymen speak kindly of Christian Science. The medical profession is beginning to acknowledge that disease has a mental or emotional cause and that something more than material medicine is needed to bring permanent health and freedom. Many leaders of world thought are emphasizing the need of a great spiritual renaissance. No longer can the general statement be made that Christian Science is despised and rejected of men.

There are great numbers in the world who love the truth and use it in the solution of their problems. On page 570 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Millions ofunprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences." She goes on to say, "Those ready for the blessing you impart will give thanks."

In Christian Science we learn that there is one divine Mind, and certainly this perfect Mind causes all its ideas to love and accept the truth of God and His universe. The mesmeric suggestion that we are mortals, living in an evil age in which people are too materially-minded to love and appreciate the truth, must be met with a vigorous denial. Divine Principle lovingly governs all and causes its ideas to know spiritual perfection.

In Science and Health our Leader says (pp. 476, 477), "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals." We might well give particular attention to the two words "in Science." Our Master's thought was so full of love that he included everyone in the heavenly kingdom. He did not see some people as outside of eternal Truth and others as "in Science." Just as we would not think of some people as dwelling outside of the realm in which the science of numbers is present, just so we cannot think of anyone as outside of the Science of Life. Actually we are all in the Science of being, even though some may not realize it. It is our privilege through prayer and through healing and living to demonstrate this divine fact.

When Isaiah looked ahead in human history he could see the day when, as he put it (11:9), "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." In reality, this event is the eternal fact of God's creation, for divine Love could not create a universe that was ignorant of Him or resistant to His laws. Let us work for the fulfillment of this prophecy by demonstrating that it is even now true in our experience. Let us discard the lie that the truth is hated and resisted. Just because the early disciples seemed to meet violence is no reason for the present-day Christian to expect to suffer in like manner. There has been great progress in civilization and in the acceptance of Christianity.

Just because the early Christian Scientists met considerable opposition, should the students of today expect the same resistance? The world has come a long way since 1866. It is certainly time to look up and to see that the fields are "white already to harvest," as our Master said long ago (John 4:35). The great fact is that Mind is eternally causing its ideas to love and accept the truth.