In the chapter entitled "The Great Discovery" in her autobiography, "Retrospection and Introspection," Mrs. Eddy relates that her deep search of the Scriptures enabled her to understand the spiritual significance of Jesus' teachings and his demonstrations over mortal discords and that this led her to discover and found Christian Science. She writes (p. 25), "I named it Christian, because it is compassionate, helpful, and spiritual."
Compassion, a quality derived from Love, God, includes such characteristics as sincerity, unselfishness, tenderness, forgiveness, kindness, patience, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, and charity. Although the words "pity" and "sympathy" are closely allied to compassion, according to a dictionary they indicate tenderness toward another in his distress or a willingness to share another's grievance or affliction. "Compassion," on the other hand, denotes an urge to be helpful in lifting another out of his troubles.
That which motivates all spiritual healing is a deep love for God and a compassionate desire to be helpful in bringing freedom to mankind from the distresses which often characterize the fleshly sense of life. Christ Jesus expressed the highest sense of compassion the world has ever witnessed. The Gospels record that he showed compassion toward the multitudes before he healed their sick and before feeding them; and Luke tells us that as he was entering the city of Nain with his disciples, he had compassion on the mother of the dead man he restored to life.
