We are told in Matthew that when he came "down from the mountain," where he had delivered his great Sermon, Christ Jesus was approached by a leper who bowed himself in humility and said, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." Jesus, his heart filled with divine love, was moved with divine love, was moved with compassion, and reaching forth his hand, touched the leper and said, "I will; be thou clean;" and immediately the leprosy departed. Is it not apparent that the Christ, which Jesus manifested, enabled him to touch the leper's consciousness with the healing power of Truth, which overcame his fear, cleansed him, and healed him of his affliction?
Mercy and compassion are inspired by God, for the Psalmist says, "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." When Mrs. Eddy discovered the Science of spiritual healing, she named it Christian Science; and in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 25) she says, "I named it Christian, because it is compassionate, helpful, and spiritual." That compassion is an essential quality of thought in Christian Science healing is indicated by the following passage from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 365) : "If the Scientist has enough Christly affection to win his own pardon, and such commendation as the Magdalen gained from Jesus, then he is Christian enough to practise scientifically and deal with his patients compassionately; and the result will correspond with the spiritual intent."
Perhaps no word in the English language except "love" expresses so much tender solicitude for another's well-being, so much desire for another's happiness, so much longing to relieve another's sorrow and burdens, or signifies so much brotherly kindness, as the word "compassion." It implies that quality of thought which blesses by the reflection of divine Love, and frees from the bondage of discord, disease, and materiality. Compassion enables the individual to eliminate from his consciousness negative qualities of thought such as arrogance, pride, prejudice, selfishness, or human will, and in turn to enrich his nature and daily life with the warmth and glow of Christly sympathy, gentleness, and affection.
