THE Thirteenth chapter of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians has been called the "Iliad of the Epistles," and well might it be so called. It is a sublime panegyric on love—love, "that worketh no ill to his neighbor—love that vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up; "the love that we as Christian Scientists should manifest toward each other and to the world, even to those who are not of our "household of faith," for are we not all brethren? Even so then, should we cherish this thought of brotherly love to all, whether bond or freeman. If they be yet in bonds, they need it yet more for that reason; and if they are in the blessed light of Truth, we should love them as becometh brethren and co-heirs with Christ of the Kingdom of Heaven.
St. John said: "Little children, love one another." What a simple, yet sublime charge! Do we realize how much it means? If we did, we would certainly live on a higher plane of thought than at present,—a plane of life that could afford no room for envy, hate, jealousy, bitterness, and all the other dark qualities of mortal mind—a plane that would be so high that we would ever and anon, like Paul, be "caught up to the third heaven, and hear unspeakable words, it is not lawful for a man to utter."
Do Christian Scientists realize the supreme importance of the words of our Leader, in the last paragraph of page 360, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures? No uncertain words does she speak here. Do we really understand that it is for us these words are spoken? How careful then should we be, and how quick to obey. The prospect is absolutely dazzling in its splendor. Let us follow Paul's advice, (2 Cor. 13-5) and prove our own selves. How can we tell what we can do until we prove ourselves? This proving means much. It is to go forth, never doubting, grappling with and overcoming every problem with good, meeting reproaches, envy, persecutions with a high and holy sense of love, born of Divine Principle, and the mental request, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." This is the love, which if manifested, will make us see ourselves as we are seen of the Father, that will enable us to know ourselves, "as we are known."
