In thinking over our Leader's manifestation of love for humanity, one is led to inquire into his own consciousness, and therefrom perchance there comes the revelation of the necessity for a kindred demonstration. We are often led to wonder at and condemn the crass blindness of the disciples of Jesus, but sometimes one thinks that perhaps his own inability to grasp the true meaning of our Leader's injunctions is no less reprehensible than the failure of the Master's followers. She has shown us the way: and in the light of her many demonstrations it behooves us to consider the absolute necessity of devoting our lives to the attainment of that love which passes mortal understanding and without which the letter of Christian Science can never succeed in regenerating humanity. Says Mrs. Eddy: "The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love. Without this, the letter is but the dead body of Science,—pulseless, cold, inanimate" (Science and Health, p. 113).
I take it that the true idea of love, though it contains many other obligations, comprises such a realization of selflessness that its exponent is able not only to point out to his brother the faults which that man may have, but is also able to see clearly and calmly when he himself is told of his own weaknesses by another. It is to these two requirements of love that consideration should be directed; for the great task of love—that of loving one's enemies— is so manifestly obligatory that, though it calls for the strongest effort on our part, comment is unnecessary.
In the present age criticism of the right sort appears to be absolutely necessary; materiality seems to work through so many hidden channels that, unless we are perpetually on our guard, perpetually discriminating, we may find ourselves caught in some quicksand of error. Still, while realizing the necessity of this higher criticism, we must be sure of the method which we employ. If we see a brother whom we think has fallen or perchance slipped from the true course, the right criticism will prompt us to follow the instructions given in Matthew,18:15-17; the wrong criticism will urge us to "thank God"—even as did the Pharisee—that we are not as he, and in proclaiming his failure to others, satisfy ourselves with the thought that we are showing them the danger!
