Reverence and Brotherhood ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD          In his eloquent discourse at Athens Paul said that God had “made of one blood all nations of men.” From this basis he argued for the brotherhood of all men, and one fatherhood, spiritual and perfect, implying of necessity a spiritual offspring, unrecognized by the physical senses. In passing along the streets of a modern city we see representatives of many nations, differing from one another not only in appearance, manner, and speech, but also in mental and moral characteristics. In thinking upon this recently the query arose, What are we doing in modern times to establish the brotherhood which is such a vital thing in spite of all mortal blindness to it? It goes without saying that a true Christian Scientist would at once reach out in thought for the man of God’s creating, the only real brother, and though no word might be spoken, the one thus recognized would feel a touch of that true nature which makes all men kin, and also “kind,” as someone has added.          This line of thought presented itself as several representatives of different races passed the writer on the street, and with it came as a sort of challenge the query, How are we as a people accustomed to think and speak of them? It was recalled, and with a deep sense of regret, that many foreigners are designated by opprobrious nicknames which would be bitterly resented if addressed direct to the individual. It was also seen that this is no merely superficial distinction, but indicates an utter disregard of the command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” and with the parable of the good Samaritan there can be no quibble as to the meaning of “neighbor.” It was further seen that there can be no love without reverence, and this granted, it must be apparent that our love for our fellow men should broaden and deepen until it reaches the poet’s ideal of the one whose love is passionate and grand For all the stricken human race.          On page 18 of “Miscellaneous Writings” Mrs. Eddy urges her students to forward their own new birth in Science by closer obedience to the commandments “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” and “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” She explains the spiritual significance of these laws in saying, “Thou shalt love Spirit only, not its opposite, in every God-quality, even in substance; thou shalt recognize thyself as God’s spiritual child only, and the true man and true woman . . . as of spiritual origin.” She adds that with the recognition of this truth one “would necessarily entertain habitual love for his fellow man.” Emerson says: “What we commonly call man . . . does not, as we know him, represent himself, but misrepresents himself. Him we do not respect, but the soul, whose organ he is, would he let it appear through his action, would make our knees bend.”          Christian Science comes as a wonderful revealer of the reality of man’s being, and healing is a discovery of this very thing. When one begins to think of himself and others in the clear light of spiritual being, the kingdom of God has come nigh to him and for him all things have become new. As in St. John’s vision spiritual beauty and sublimity begin to replace the things of sense, man and the universe are glorified, for both reflect and express infinite Mind, our Father-Mother God. The gates of pearl are found wherever a pure thought shuts out an impure one, and as the Christian virtues unfold to awakening sense we understand what is meant by “all manner of precious stones” in the symbolism of the Apocalypse. We all have an innate love of beauty, and this is well, but we need to relate it so closely to spiritual reality that the sight of anything beautiful will at once make a demand upon us for the reflection of the spiritual qualities which outward things but poorly typify. Then we shall seek for the “beauty of holiness” with unquenchable ardor, and as we find even faint intimations of it in our fellow men, we shall not quench the smoking flax but fan the sacred flame with gentle reverence and the brotherly love so often enjoined in Holy Writ.   "Reverence and Brotherhood" by Annie M. Knott, CSD Christian Science Sentinel, October 9, 1915

 

| Home | Library |

Copyright © 1996-2012 CSEC