IF, as Mrs. Eddy has declared on page 271 of Science and Health, "the Sermon on the Mount is the essence of this Science,"—the Science of Christianity,—then unquestionably the golden rule is its epitome. When the lawyer inquired of Jesus as to what course he should follow to gain eternal life, the master Teacher asked him what was written in the law. The lawyer, well schooled in the letter, cited the great commandment: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." The Master's comment is brief and to the point: "This do, and thou shalt live."
In the light of Christian Science, how simple after all is the solution of every problem, for whatever there is in the way of sorrow, sin, and suffering in the world today, in the last analysis is due to the failure of some one to live up to the Christ-standard: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." How quickly would evil in its myriad forms vanish, if every man, woman, and child, animated by the spirit of brotherly love, were "in honor preferring one another"! Hatred, envy, jealousy, malice, faultfinding, criticism, condemnation, everything that savors of unloveliness, would be done away with, and in their stead love, joy, peace, patience, "the fruit of the Spirit," would gladden life's pathway.
It is evident that Mrs. Eddy appreciated what the exercise of brotherly love would mean for the uplift of mankind, for throughout her writings we find the counsel to her followers ever breathing the spirit of forgiveness and love. In "A Rule for Motives and Acts" (Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 1) she writes: "In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness." Judged by this standard, would it be possible for anything but the most tender consideration for one another to find a place in a Christian Science church? Could Christian Scientists be other than courteous and honorable? Not if strict obedience to the golden rule is practised!
