THE master's teaching relative to the duty and obligations growing out of human intercourse and relationships is definite. He explicitly taught that compassion, mercy, unselfishness, and justice should always mark the deeds of men. Love one another; do justly by all men; exemplify righteousness; manifest the qualities of unselfishness—these were his constant admonitions to his disciples and followers.
In that extraordinary allegory representing the last judgment, whereby the truly righteous shall be rewarded, as related in Matthew's gospel, Christ Jesus in his wholly inimitable manner sets forth the obligation always to manifest kindness and brotherly affection for the needy and the stranger. The lesson is summarized in these words: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." That is to say, inasmuch as your actions toward those in need, even the humblest, have been truly Christian, you have obeyed one of the two greatest of all commandments, "Love thy neighbour as thyself." Can there be any doubt as to the demands which obedience to the Christ, Truth, makes upon the consecrated disciple that loving kindness be expressed toward the stranger? In a message to a branch church Mrs. Eddy admonishes, "Forget self in laboring for mankind; then will you woo the weary wanderer to your door, win the pilgrim and stranger to your church, and find access to the heart of humanity" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 155). Our Leader saw the friendly smile and the welcoming hand as the tokens of that unselfishness which would serve God by serving men.
It appears that some who accept the teaching of Christian Science and become members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, fail to learn and demonstrate that God as divine Principle is not cold and unsympathetic, but the perfect Father, embracing all His children in an ineffable, all-comprehensive love. Such believers, perhaps strong in the letter of Truth, but lacking something in its Christianly practice, assume what they regard as a scientific attitude toward their fellow-workers and associates, an attitude which is cold and repelling, lacking something of the warmth and compassion which characterize true Christian fellowship based upon the spiritual sense of brotherhood. This mental quality sometimes manifests itself in an attitude of aloofness, if not of indifference, toward the stranger within our gates, the visitors at our church services and lectures.
