Chapter II - Atonement And Eucharist
Cruel contumely
50:1
"He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
"He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
"Who shall declare his generation?" Who shall decide
what truth and love are?
A cry of despair
50:5
The last supreme moment of mockery, desertion, tor-
The last supreme moment of mockery, desertion, tor-
ture, added to an overwhelming sense of the magnitude
of his work, wrung from Jesus' lips the awful
cry, "My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"
This despairing appeal, if made to a human parent, would
impugn the justice and love of a father who could with-
hold a clear token of his presence to sustain and bless so
faithful a son. The appeal of Jesus was made both to
his divine Principle, the God who is Love, and to himself,
Love's pure idea. Had Life, Truth, and Love forsaken
him in his highest demonstration? This was a startling
question. No! They must abide in him and he in them,
or that hour would be shorn of its mighty blessing for the
human race.
Divine Science misunderstood
50:19
If his full recognition of eternal Life had for a mo-
If his full recognition of eternal Life had for a mo-
ment given way before the evidence of the bodily senses,
what would his accusers have said? Even
what they did say, – that Jesus' teachings
were false, and that all evidence of their cor-
rectness was destroyed by his death. But this saying
could not make it so.
The real pillory
50:26
The burden of that hour was terrible beyond human
The burden of that hour was terrible beyond human
conception. The distrust of mortal minds, disbelieving
the purpose of his mission, was a million
times sharper than the thorns which pierced
his flesh. The real cross, which Jesus bore up the hill
of grief, was the world's hatred of Truth and Love. Not
the spear nor the material cross wrung from his faithful
51:1
lips the plaintive cry, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" It
lips the plaintive cry, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" It
was the possible loss of something more important than
human life which moved him, – the possible misappre-
hension of the sublimest influence of his career. This
dread added the drop of gall to his cup.
Life-power indestructible
51:6
Jesus could have withdrawn himself from his enemies.
Jesus could have withdrawn himself from his enemies.
He had power to lay down a human sense of life for his
spiritual identity in the likeness of the divine;
but he allowed men to attempt the destruc-
tion of the mortal body in order that he might furnish
the proof of immortal life. Nothing could kill this Life
of man. Jesus could give his temporal life into his
enemies' hands; but when his earth-mission was accom-
plished, his spiritual life, indestructible and eternal,
was found forever the same. He knew that matter had
no life and that real Life is God; therefore he could no
more be separated from his spiritual Life than God could
be extinguished.
Example for our salvation
51:19
His consummate example was for the salvation of us
His consummate example was for the salvation of us
all, but only through doing the works which he did and
taught others to do. His purpose in healing
was not alone to restore health, but to demon-
strate his divine Principle. He was inspired by God, by
Truth and Love, in all that he said and did. The motives
of his persecutors were pride, envy, cruelty, and vengeance,
inflicted on the physical Jesus, but aimed at the divine Prin-
ciple, Love, which rebuked their sensuality.
51:28
Jesus was unselfish. His spirituality separated him
Jesus was unselfish. His spirituality separated him
from sensuousness, and caused the selfish materialist
to hate him; but it was this spirituality which enabled
Jesus to heal the sick, cast out evil, and raise the
dead.
Master's business
52:1
From early boyhood he was about his "Father's busi-
From early boyhood he was about his "Father's busi-
ness." His pursuits lay far apart from theirs. His mas-
ter was Spirit; their master was matter. He
served God; they served mammon. His affec-
tions were pure; theirs were carnal. His senses drank in
the spiritual evidence of health, holiness, and life; their
senses testified oppositely, and absorbed the material evi-
dence of sin, sickness, and death.
Purity's rebuke
52:9
Their imperfections and impurity felt the ever-present
Their imperfections and impurity felt the ever-present
rebuke of his perfection and purity. Hence the world's
hatred of the just and perfect Jesus, and the
prophet's foresight of the reception error would
give him. "Despised and rejected of men," was Isaiah's
graphic word concerning the coming Prince of Peace.
Herod and Pilate laid aside old feuds in order to unite
in putting to shame and death the best man that ever
trod the globe. To-day, as of old, error and evil again
make common cause against the exponents of truth.
Saviour's prediction
52:19
The "man of sorrows" best understood the nothing-
The "man of sorrows" best understood the nothing-
ness of material life and intelligence and the mighty ac-
tuality of all-inclusive God, good. These were
the two cardinal points of Mind-healing, or
Christian Science, which armed him with Love. The high-
est earthly representative of God, speaking of human
ability to reflect divine power, prophetically said to his
disciples, speaking not for their day only but for all time:
"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do
also;" and "These signs shall follow them that believe."
Defamatory accusations
52:29
The accusations of the Pharisees were as self-contra-
The accusations of the Pharisees were as self-contra-
dictory as their religion. The bigot, the deb-
auchee, the hypocrite, called Jesus a glutton
and a wine-bibber. They said: "He casteth out devils
53:1
through Beelzebub," and is the "friend of publicans and
through Beelzebub," and is the "friend of publicans and
sinners." The latter accusation was true, but not in their
meaning. Jesus was no ascetic. He did not fast as did
the Baptist's disciples; yet there never lived a man so far
removed from appetites and passions as the Nazarene.
He rebuked sinners pointedly and unflinchingly, because
he was their friend; hence the cup he drank.
Reputation and character
53:8
The reputation of Jesus was the very opposite of his
The reputation of Jesus was the very opposite of his
character. Why? Because the divine Principle and
practice of Jesus were misunderstood. He
was at work in divine Science. His words
and works were unknown to the world because above
and contrary to the world's religious sense. Mortals be-
lieved in God as humanly mighty, rather than as divine,
infinite Love.
Inspiring discontent
53:16
The world could not interpret aright the discomfort
The world could not interpret aright the discomfort
which Jesus inspired and the spiritual blessings which
might flow from such discomfort. Science
shows the cause of the shock so often pro-
duced by the truth, – namely, that this shock arises from
the great distance between the individual and Truth.
Like Peter, we should weep over the warning, instead of
denying the truth or mocking the lifelong sacrifice which
goodness makes for the destruction of evil.
Bearing our sins
53:25
Jesus bore our sins in his body. He knew the
Jesus bore our sins in his body. He knew the
mortal errors which constitute the material body, and
could destroy those errors; but at the time
when Jesus felt our infirmities, he had not
conquered all the beliefs of the flesh or his sense of ma-
terial life, nor had he risen to his final demonstration of
spiritual power.
53:32
Had he shared the sinful beliefs of others, he would
Had he shared the sinful beliefs of others, he would
54:1
have been less sensitive to those beliefs. Through the
have been less sensitive to those beliefs. Through the
magnitude of his human life, he demonstrated the divine
Life. Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he de-
fined Love. With the affluence of Truth, he vanquished
error. The world acknowledged not his righteousness,
seeing it not; but earth received the harmony his glorified
example introduced.
Inspiration of sacrifice
54:8
Who is ready to follow his teaching and example? All
Who is ready to follow his teaching and example? All
must sooner or later plant themselves in Christ, the true
idea of God. That he might liberally pour
his dear-bought treasures into empty or sin-
filled human storehouses, was the inspiration of Jesus'
intense human sacrifice. In witness of his divine com-
mission, he presented the proof that Life, Truth, and
Love heal the sick and the sinning, and triumph over
death through Mind, not matter. This was the highest
proof he could have offered of divine Love. His hearers
understood neither his words nor his works. They
would not accept his meek interpretation of life nor
follow his example.
Spiritual friendship
54:21
His earthly cup of bitterness was drained to the
His earthly cup of bitterness was drained to the
dregs. There adhered to him only a few unpretentious
friends, whose religion was something more
than a name. It was so vital, that it en-
abled them to understand the Nazarene and to share
the glory of eternal life. He said that those who fol-
lowed him should drink of his cup, and history has con-
firmed the prediction.
Injustice to the Saviour
54:29
If that Godlike and glorified man were physically on
If that Godlike and glorified man were physically on
earth to-day, would not some, who now pro-
fess to love him, reject him? Would they
not deny him even the rights of humanity, if he enter-
55:1
tained any other sense of being and religion than theirs?
tained any other sense of being and religion than theirs?
The advancing century, from a deadened sense of the
invisible God, to-day subjects to unchristian comment and
usage the idea of Christian healing enjoined by Jesus; but
this does not affect the invincible facts.
Perhaps the early Christian era did Jesus no more
injustice than the later centuries have bestowed upon
the healing Christ and spiritual idea of being. Now
that the gospel of healing is again preached by the
wayside, does not the pulpit sometimes scorn it? But
that curative mission, which presents the Saviour in a
clearer light than mere words can possibly do, cannot be
left out of Christianity, although it is again ruled out of
the synagogue.
55:15
Truth's immortal idea is sweeping down the centuries,
Truth's immortal idea is sweeping down the centuries,
gathering beneath its wings the sick and sinning. My
weary hope tries to realize that happy day, when man shall
recognize the Science of Christ and love his neighbor as
himself, – when he shall realize God's omnipotence and
the healing power of the divine Love in what it has done
and is doing for mankind. The promises will be ful-
filled. The time for the reappearing of the divine healing
is throughout all time; and whosoever layeth his earthly
all on the altar of divine Science, drinketh of Christ's
cup now, and is endued with the spirit and power of
Christian healing.
55:27
In the words of St. John: "He shall give you another
In the words of St. John: "He shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." This
Comforter I understand to be Divine Science.
Chapter III
Marriage
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but
are as the angels of God in heaven. – JESUS.
56:1
WHEN our great Teacher came to him for baptism,
WHEN our great Teacher came to him for baptism,
John was astounded. Reading his thoughts, Jesus
added: "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us
to fulfil all righteousness." Jesus' concessions (in certain
cases) to material methods were for the advancement of
spiritual good.
Marriage temporal
56:7
Marriage is the legal and moral provision for genera-
Marriage is the legal and moral provision for genera-
tion among human kind. Until the spiritual creation
is discerned intact, is apprehended and under-
stood, and His kingdom is come as in the vision
of the Apocalypse, – where the corporeal sense of crea-
tion was cast out, and its spiritual sense was revealed from
heaven, – marriage will continue, subject to such moral
regulations as will secure increasing virtue.
Fidelity required
56:15
Infidelity to the marriage covenant is the social scourge
Infidelity to the marriage covenant is the social scourge
of all races, "the pestilence that walketh in darkness,
. . . the destruction that wasteth at noonday."
The commandment, "Thou shalt not com-
mit adultery," is no less imperative than the one, "Thou
shalt not kill."
57:1
Chastity is the cement of civilization and progress.
Chastity is the cement of civilization and progress.
Without it there is no stability in society, and without it
one cannot attain the Science of Life.
Mental elements
57:4
Union of the masculine and feminine qualities consti-
Union of the masculine and feminine qualities consti-
tutes completeness. The masculine mind reaches a
higher tone through certain elements of the
feminine, while the feminine mind gains cour-
age and strength through masculine qualities. These
different elements conjoin naturally with each other, and
their true harmony is in spiritual oneness. Both sexes
should be loving, pure, tender, and strong. The attrac-
tion between native qualities will be perpetual only as it
is pure and true, bringing sweet seasons of renewal like
the returning spring.
Affection's demands
57:15
Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the
Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the
demands of the affections, and should never weigh
against the better claims of intellect, good-
ness, and virtue. Happiness is spiritual,
born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore
it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to
share it.
Help and discipline
57:22
Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even
Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even
though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, en-
larging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry
blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affec-
tion, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance
of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to
God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases
to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for
heaven.
57:31
Marriage is unblest or blest, according to the disap-
Marriage is unblest or blest, according to the disap-
pointments it involves or the hopes it fulfils. To happify
58:1
existence by constant intercourse with those adapted to
existence by constant intercourse with those adapted to
elevate it, should be the motive of society. Unity of
spirit gives new pinions to joy, or else joy's drooping
wings trail in dust.
Chord and discord
58:5
Ill-arranged notes produce discord. Tones of the
Ill-arranged notes produce discord. Tones of the
human mind may be different, but they should be con-
cordant in order to blend properly. Unselfish
ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, –
these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute in-
dividually and collectively true happiness, strength, and
permanence.
Mutual freedom
58:12
There is moral freedom in Soul. Never contract the
There is moral freedom in Soul. Never contract the
horizon of a worthy outlook by the selfish exaction of
all another's time and thoughts. With ad-
ditional joys, benevolence should grow more
diffusive. The narrowness and jealousy, which would
confine a wife or a husband forever within four walls, will
not promote the sweet interchange of confidence and love;
but on the other hand, a wandering desire for incessant
amusement outside the home circle is a poor augury for
the happiness of wedlock. Home is the dearest spot on
earth, and it should be the centre, though not the bound-
ary, of the affections.
A useful suggestion
58:24
Said the peasant bride to her lover: "Two eat no more
Said the peasant bride to her lover: "Two eat no more
together than they eat separately." This is a hint that
a wife ought not to court vulgar extravagance
or stupid ease, because another supplies her
wants. Wealth may obviate the necessity for toil or the
chance for ill-nature in the marriage relation, but noth-
ing can abolish the cares of marriage.
Differing duties
58:31
"She that is married careth . . . how she may please
"She that is married careth . . . how she may please
her husband," says the Bible; and this is the pleasantest
59:1
thing to do. Matrimony should never be entered into
thing to do. Matrimony should never be entered into
without a full recognition of its enduring obligations on
both sides. There should be the most tender
solicitude for each other's happiness, and mu-
tual attention and approbation should wait on all the years
of married life.
59:7
Mutual compromises will often maintain a compact
Mutual compromises will often maintain a compact
which might otherwise become unbearable. Man should
not be required to participate in all the annoyances and
cares of domestic economy, nor should woman be ex-
pected to understand political economy. Fulfilling the
different demands of their united spheres, their sympa-
thies should blend in sweet confidence and cheer, each
partner sustaining the other, – thus hallowing the union
of interests and affections, in which the heart finds peace
and home.
Trysting renewed
59:17
Tender words and unselfish care in what promotes the
Tender words and unselfish care in what promotes the
welfare and happiness of your wife will prove more salutary
in prolonging her health and smiles than stolid
indifference or jealousy. Husbands, hear this
and remember how slight a word or deed may renew the
old trysting-times.
59:23
After marriage, it is too late to grumble over incompati-
After marriage, it is too late to grumble over incompati-
bility of disposition. A mutual understanding should
exist before this union and continue ever after, for decep-
tion is fatal to happiness.
Permanent obligation
59:27
The nuptial vow should never be annulled, so long as
The nuptial vow should never be annulled, so long as
its moral obligations are kept intact; but the frequency
of divorce shows that the sacredness of this re-
lationship is losing its influence, and that fatal
mistakes are undermining its foundations. Separation
never should take place, and it never would, if both
60:1
husband and wife were genuine Christian Scientists.
husband and wife were genuine Christian Scientists.
Science inevitably lifts one's being higher in the scale of
harmony and happiness.
Permanent affection
60:4
Kindred tastes, motives, and aspirations are necessary
Kindred tastes, motives, and aspirations are necessary
to the formation of a happy and permanent companion-
ship. The beautiful in character is also the
good, welding indissolubly the links of affec-
tion. A mother's affection cannot be weaned from her
child, because the mother-love includes purity and con-
stancy, both of which are immortal. Therefore maternal
affection lives on under whatever difficulties.
From the logic of events we learn that selfishness
and impurity alone are fleeting, and that wisdom will
ultimately put asunder what she hath not joined
together.
Centre for affections
60:16
Marriage should improve the human species, becoming
Marriage should improve the human species, becoming
a barrier against vice, a protection to woman, strength to
man, and a centre for the affections. This,
however, in a majority of cases, is not its
present tendency, and why? Because the education of
the higher nature is neglected, and other considerations,
– passion, frivolous amusements, personal adornment,
display, and pride, – occupy thought.
Spiritual concord
60:24
An ill-attuned ear calls discord harmony, not appreciat-
An ill-attuned ear calls discord harmony, not appreciat-
ing concord. So physical sense, not discerning the true
happiness of being, places it on a false basis.
Science will correct the discord, and teach us
life's sweeter harmonies.
60:29
Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind,
Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind,
and happiness would be more readily attained and would
be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul. Higher
enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal
61:1
man. We cannot circumscribe happiness within the
man. We cannot circumscribe happiness within the
limits of personal sense. The senses confer no real
enjoyment.
Ascendency of good
61:4
The good in human affections must have ascendency
The good in human affections must have ascendency
over the evil and the spiritual over the animal, or happi-
ness will never be won. The attainment of
this celestial condition would improve our
progeny, diminish crime, and give higher aims to ambi-
tion. Every valley of sin must be exalted, and every
mountain of selfishness be brought low, that the highway
of our God may be prepared in Science. The offspring
of heavenly-minded parents inherit more intellect, better
balanced minds, and sounder constitutions.
Propensities inherited
61:14
If some fortuitous circumstance places promising chil-
If some fortuitous circumstance places promising chil-
dren in the arms of gross parents, often these beautiful
children early droop and die, like tropical
flowers born amid Alpine snows. If perchance
they live to become parents in their turn, they may re-
produce in their own helpless little ones the grosser traits
of their ancestors. What hope of happiness, what noble
ambition, can inspire the child who inherits propensities
that must either be overcome or reduce him to a loath-
some wreck?
61:24
Is not the propagation of the human species a greater
Is not the propagation of the human species a greater
responsibility, a more solemn charge, than the culture of
your garden or the raising of stock to increase your flocks
and herds? Nothing unworthy of perpetuity should be
transmitted to children.
61:29
The formation of mortals must greatly improve to
The formation of mortals must greatly improve to
advance mankind. The scientific morale of marriage is
spiritual unity. If the propagation of a higher human
species is requisite to reach this goal, then its material con-
62:1
ditions can only be permitted for the purpose of gener-
ditions can only be permitted for the purpose of gener-
ating. The foetus must be kept mentally pure and the
period of gestation have the sanctity of virginity.
62:4
The entire education of children should be such as to
The entire education of children should be such as to
form habits of obedience to the moral and spiritual law,
with which the child can meet and master the belief in so‑
called physical laws, a belief which breeds disease.
Inheritance heeded
62:8
If parents create in their babes a desire for incessant
If parents create in their babes a desire for incessant
amusement, to be always fed, rocked, tossed, or talked
to, those parents should not, in after years,
complain of their children's fretfulness or fri-
volity, which the parents themselves have occasioned.
Taking less "thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or
what ye shall drink"; less thought "for your body what
ye shall put on," will do much more for the health of the
rising generation than you dream. Children should be
allowed to remain children in knowledge, and should
become men and women only through growth in the
understanding of man's higher nature.
The Mind creative
62:20
We must not attribute more and more intelligence
We must not attribute more and more intelligence
to matter, but less and less, if we would be wise and
healthy. The divine Mind, which forms the
bud and blossom, will care for the human
body, even as it clothes the lily; but let no mortal inter-
fere with God's government by thrusting in the laws of
erring, human concepts.
Superior law of Soul
62:27
The higher nature of man is not governed by the lower;
The higher nature of man is not governed by the lower;
if it were, the order of wisdom would be reversed.
Our false views of life hide eternal harmony,
and produce the ills of which we complain.
Because mortals believe in material laws and reject the
Science of Mind, this does not make materiality first and
63:1
the superior law of Soul last. You would never think
the superior law of Soul last. You would never think
that flannel was better for warding off pulmonary disease
than the controlling Mind, if you understood the Science
of being.
Spiritual origin
63:5
In Science man is the offspring of Spirit. The beauti-
In Science man is the offspring of Spirit. The beauti-
ful, good, and pure constitute his ancestry. His origin is
not, like that of mortals, in brute instinct, nor
does he pass through material conditions prior
to reaching intelligence. Spirit is his primitive and ulti-
mate source of being; God is his Father, and Life is the
law of his being.
The rights of woman
63:12
Civil law establishes very unfair differences between the
Civil law establishes very unfair differences between the
rights of the two sexes. Christian Science furnishes no
precedent for such injustice, and civilization
mitigates it in some measure. Still, it is a
marvel why usage should accord woman less rights than
does either Christian Science or civilization.
Unfair discrimination
63:18
Our laws are not impartial, to say the least, in their
Our laws are not impartial, to say the least, in their
discrimination as to the person, property, and parental
claims of the two sexes. If the elective fran-
chise for women will remedy the evil with-
out encouraging difficulties of greater magnitude, let us
hope it will be granted. A feasible as well as rational
means of improvement at present is the elevation of
society in general and the achievement of a nobler
race for legislation, – a race having higher aims and
motives.
63:28
If a dissolute husband deserts his wife, certainly the
If a dissolute husband deserts his wife, certainly the
wronged, and perchance impoverished, woman should be
allowed to collect her own wages, enter into business
agreements, hold real estate, deposit funds, and own her
children free from interference.
64:1
Want of uniform justice is a crying evil caused by the
Want of uniform justice is a crying evil caused by the
selfishness and inhumanity of man. Our forefathers
exercised their faith in the direction taught by the Apostle
James, when he said: "Pure religion and undefiled before
God and the Father, is this, To visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world."
Benevolence hindered
64:8
Pride, envy, or jealousy seems on most occasions to
Pride, envy, or jealousy seems on most occasions to
be the master of ceremonies, ruling out primitive Chris-
tianity. When a man lends a helping hand
to some noble woman, struggling alone with
adversity, his wife should not say, "It is never well to
interfere with your neighbor's business." A wife is
sometimes debarred by a covetous domestic tyrant from
giving the ready aid her sympathy and charity would
afford.
Progressive development
64:17
Marriage should signify a union of hearts. Further-
Marriage should signify a union of hearts. Further-
more, the time cometh of which Jesus spake, when he
declared that in the resurrection there should
be no more marrying nor giving in marriage,
but man would be as the angels. Then shall Soul re-
joice in its own, in which passion has no part. Then
white-robed purity will unite in one person masculine wis-
dom and feminine love, spiritual understanding and per-
petual peace.
64:26
Until it is learned that God is the Father of all, mar-
Until it is learned that God is the Father of all, mar-
riage will continue. Let not mortals permit a disregard
of law which might lead to a worse state of society than
now exists. Honesty and virtue ensure the stability of
the marriage covenant. Spirit will ultimately claim its
own, – all that really is, – and the voices of physical
sense will be forever hushed.
Blessing of Christ
65:1
Experience should be the school of virtue, and human
Experience should be the school of virtue, and human
happiness should proceed from man's highest nature.
May Christ, Truth, be present at every bridal
altar to turn the water into wine and to give to
human life an inspiration by which man's spiritual and
eternal existence may be discerned.
Righteous foundations
65:7
If the foundations of human affection are consistent
If the foundations of human affection are consistent
with progress, they will be strong and enduring. Divorces
should warn the age of some fundamental error
in the marriage state. The union of the sexes
suffers fearful discord. To gain Christian Science and its
harmony, life should be more metaphysically regarded.
Powerless promises
65:13
The broadcast powers of evil so conspicuous to-day
The broadcast powers of evil so conspicuous to-day
show themselves in the materialism and sensualism of
the age, struggling against the advancing
spiritual era. Beholding the world's lack of
Christianity and the powerlessness of vows to make home
happy, the human mind will at length demand a higher
affection.
Transition and reform
65:20
There will ensue a fermentation over this as over many
There will ensue a fermentation over this as over many
other reforms, until we get at last the clear straining of
truth, and impurity and error are left among
the lees. The fermentation even of fluids is
not pleasant. An unsettled, transitional stage is never
desirable on its own account. Matrimony, which was once
a fixed fact among us, must lose its present slippery foot-
ing, and man must find permanence and peace in a more
spiritual adherence.
65:29
The mental chemicalization, which has brought con-
The mental chemicalization, which has brought con-
jugal infidelity to the surface, will assuredly throw off
this evil, and marriage will become purer when the scum
is gone.
66:1
Thou art right, immortal Shakespeare, great poet of
Thou art right, immortal Shakespeare, great poet of
humanity:
66:3
Sweet are the uses of adversity;
Sweet are the uses of adversity;
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.
Salutary sorrow
66:6
Trials teach mortals not to lean on a material staff, –
Trials teach mortals not to lean on a material staff, –
a broken reed, which pierces the heart. We do not
half remember this in the sunshine of joy
and prosperity. Sorrow is salutary. Through
great tribulation we enter the kingdom. Trials are
proofs of God's care. Spiritual development germi-
nates not from seed sown in the soil of material hopes,
but when these decay, Love propagates anew the higher
joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each suc-
cessive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine
goodness and love.
66:17
Amidst gratitude for conjugal felicity, it is well to re-
Amidst gratitude for conjugal felicity, it is well to re-
member how fleeting are human joys. Amidst conjugal
infelicity, it is well to hope, pray, and wait patiently on
divine wisdom to point out the path.
Patience is wisdom
66:21
Husbands and wives should never separate if there
Husbands and wives should never separate if there
is no Christian demand for it. It is better to await the
logic of events than for a wife precipitately
to leave her husband or for a husband to
leave his wife. If one is better than the other, as must
always be the case, the other pre-eminently needs good
company. Socrates considered patience salutary under
such circumstances, making his Xantippe a discipline for
his philosophy.
The gold and dross
66:30
Sorrow has its reward. It never leaves us
Sorrow has its reward. It never leaves us
where it found us. The furnace separates
the gold from the dross that the precious metal may