WHAT a beautiful quality is humility, and how greatly it is needed today! And yet, evident as the need is for the understanding and demonstration of true meekness in the world of affairs, there is perhaps no quality more universally misunderstood. The variations of interpretation cover the ground from a cringing, groveling attitude to glimpses of the might and majesty conferred by humility. But it is safe to say that if this single Christian virtue were really understood and practiced by "the children of men," the harassments of the daily round would be eliminated.
Webster defines humility in part as, "Freedom from pride and arrogance; ... act of ... humble courtesy," and gives "meekness" as one of its synonyms. If pride and arrogance were to be whipped out of the temple of thought, and charity and humility ushered in, carping criticism, idle gossip, and malicious slander would be annihilated. Did humble courtesy dominate the thought of operators of motor vehicles, how few comparatively would be the distressing accidents! If humility were practiced, how many lovely friendships, sacrificed to the false gods of resentment and strife, would remain unbroken! If humility were to cast its healing glow upon international problems, the bluster and bickering which darken the international horizon with clouds of war, would be swallowed up in the understanding of man's brotherhood.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, places humility in the front rank of those virtues which are indispensable to Christian progress. On the first page of her book "Miscellaneous Writings" we read: "Humility is the stepping-stone to a higher recognition of Deity. The mounting sense gathers fresh forms and strange fire from the ashes of dissolving self, and drops the world. Meekness heightens immortal attributes by removing the dust that dims them." Mrs. Eddy proved the truth of these words in her own experience. By humbly following the leadings of divine Mind she discovered scientific Christianity, and then established the Cause of Christian Science, so that the world should never again be bereft of this great truth.
