A beautiful illustration of the Golden Rule is afforded in the recent action of the mother church in Boston, in calling its present pastor, Rev. L. P Norcross, lately pastor of the church in Oconto, Wisconsin, and of two neighboring churches. Before a single step was taken to induce him to come, letters from parties in the Boston church on behalf of that church were written to the churches in Wisconsin of which Mr. Norcross was the pastor, asking them if they were willing in the interests of the cause to give him up. These letters were inspired by a spirit of humility and brotherly love, and of respectful regard for the rights and wishes of these little churches who are so nobly contending for Truth and Love. Without their hearty and unanimous consent, they were assured that nothing would be done towards withdrawing their pastor from them and the work that so greatly needed him.
To such a request coming in such a spirit of love, humility, and regard for the rights of even the weakest, according to personal sense — there was, there could be, but one reply. The request was met in the same loving, earnest spirit, in which it was made. It was in substance, "If you need him take him," and was given heartily and in less than twelve hours after the request was received.
The new pastor referred to this in his opening sermon on "Some of the higher uses of demonstration," as a rare and beautiful exhibition of the kind of Christian comity that is needed in these days, but which gets little practice. Is it not a good answer to those who tell us that Christian Science is not a religion?
