Every scholar recognizes that a test is simply an examination of one's understanding of a subject, an opportunity to give proof of proficiency. Without it, there would be small evidence that the student was assimilating a teacher's instructions, consolidating them, and demonstrating their practical usage. The results of a test make it apparent to the entire classroom which students are grasping a subject and which are not.

Christ Jesus recognized that his disciples must pass the test of demonstration in order to prove not only their acceptance of what he taught but their understanding of it. Toward the end of his ministry, he outlined the determining condition of true discipleship (John 13:35): "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

What is the test of individual Christian discipleship? Love! The Master knew that the sharp eyes of the world would gauge his disciples' worthiness to be called his followers by the love they expressed to one another— the inexhaustible, forgiving, divine affection they manifested among themselves and, of course, to others. But it is sometimes much easier to be tender, patient, and compassionate with outsiders than it is with those in one's immediate circle of church, home, or business. Those with whom we come in frequent or constant contact are more likely to strain our forbearance than those whom we see only occasionally.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, like the Way-shower she followed so devotedly, also recognized the necessity of love among the brethren who are working to further the Cause of Christian Science, with its promise of universal salvation from sin, disease, and death. In "Pulpit and Press." she writes (p. 21): "Christian Scientists, their children and grandchildren to the latest generations, inevitably love one another with that love wherewith Christ loveth us; a love unselfish, unambitious, impartial, universal,—that loves only because it is Love. Moreover, they love their enemies, even those that hate them. This we all must do to be Christian Scientists in spirit and in truth. I long, and live, to see this love demonstrated. I am seeking and praying for it to inhabit my own heart and to be made manifest in my life. Who will unite with me in this pure purpose, and faithfully struggle till it be accomplished?"

Did not Mrs. Eddy here define the real Christian Scientist as sharply and unmistakably as Christ Jesus identified his disciples? If one's love falls short of this Christ ideal, this strong shield of godliness—"love unselfish, unambitious, impartial, universal"—it lacks the divine afflatus and is barren of healing power. Human virtues, desirable and necessary as they are, are not of themselves a guarantee of spiritual discipleship, for virtues humanly based can deteriorate under pressure; it is only as virtues are stabilized by the Christ that they express the unvarying nature of divine Principle.

So long as love remains on a selfish, ambitious, prejudicial, limited level of thought, it will be without power to heal or comfort, for it will lack the Christ-element, which transmutes it into the reflected glory of Love as God. Love so transfigured is equal to every demand made upon it.

The dispositional weaknesses, emotional deficiencies, or personal idiosyncrasies of others may challenge but will never overthrow the spiritual poise of a genuine Christian Scientist, for he knows that his obligation to his Master and his Leader is to express the Christly benevolence which is the proof of his professions of love. When he is faced with malice, injustice, or envy, his only permissible response is Christly forgiveness, not from the standpoint of personal nobility, but from that of spiritual understanding, which rejects evil's presentations as unreal and rejoices that good alone has power or identity. The mature Christian Scientist knows that the love he bears toward the unlovely, the malicious, or the ungrateful is the measure of his love for God, for the Apostle John said (I John 4:20), "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

No phase of human discord is worth the lowering of Christ Jesus' standard of love. Whatever the situation may be, let us keep our joy and peace uncorrupted by dismay, resentment, pride, or hurt feelings, for this is the test of our discipleship.

The rewards of obedience to the divine law of Love were experienced by a woman who called on a Christian Science practitioner for help concerning a physical growth which had been causing her intense pain and mental anguish for some time. During the conversation it was disclosed that the patient had been greatly agitated over a discordant circumstance of human relationships; much anger and resentment had been indulged, and a grievance because of the apparent wrongs that she had suffered had developed with the passing of time.

The practitioner turned the woman's thought to the consideration of Mrs. Eddy's words in her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 (p. 19): "The Christian Scientist cherishes no resentment; he knows that that would harm him more than all the malice of his foes. Brethren, even as Jesus forgave, forgive thou. I say it with joy,—no person can commit an offense against me that I cannot forgive."

Slowly it grew clearer to the patient that it was not the physical growth that constituted the greatest danger to her well-being, but the gradual accumulation of ungodly thinking, which, embracing her body in its morbid atmosphere, was outlining its own deformities thereon. Little by little, the light of love penetrated the darkened areas of thought, cleansing ugly wounds of bitterness and resurrecting consciousness to the heavenly altitude of spiritual love, which forgives all wrongs because it sees man as God's idea—wholly good, lovely, and lovable, never subject to personal condemnation or commendation.

Within a few days there was a complete healing, one which has remained permanent over the years, In a letter of gratitude, the woman wrote: "I just can't get over the wonder of such a quick and outstanding healing. Along with this healing, and part of it I'm sure, came a deeper love for God, and a desire to express more of the Christlike nature."

Christian Scientists stand before the world as disciples of Christ Jesus in their dedication to the alleviating of mortal ills through spiritual means alone. But profession is not enough; there is a test of sincerity which must be taken frequently, sometimes daily. Love is the test! Let us pray to meet it with joy and pass it with honors.