Article August 2, 1947 Issue

GRACIOUS LIVING

AGNES E. HEDENBURGH

Graciousness is one of the lovely qualities of Spirit, God, reflected by man and the universe. This God-quality is hinted in the beauties of nature and in the many happy and wholesome experiences of our human life, it is evident in the song of the bird, the playful charm of the kitten, the merry laugh of the little child; in the pleasant greeting, the warm handclasp, and in helpful words of kindness and encouragement. True graciousness is attained through spiritualization of thought, and not by material means, as Mary Baker Eddy points out in the following words (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 247): "Comeliness and grace are independent of matter. Being possesses its qualities before they are perceived humanly. Beauty is a thing of life, which dwells forever in the eternal Mind and reflects the charms of His goodness in expression, form, outline, and color."

The expression "gracious living," found in commercial advertising, usually means living in the midst of beautiful and comfortable things: having a lovely home, entertaining friends charmingly, having good taste, pleasant manners, and so forth. All this is materially well and good, but truly gracious living is the living that honors God as man's only Life and the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. Christian Scientists, overcoming through their understanding of God and man as His son the material beliefs of fear, lack, and limitation, should show forth this freedom in better and more gracious living.

After the lean years of the war, the temptation may come to many to try to find satisfaction and a sense of affluence in the accumulation of material things. However, this can never constitute true and joyous possession, and often results in burden and disappointment. In the second chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher tells of his experiences in the orgy of getting and enjoying material things. He sought satisfaction by gratifying his every human desire. He tells us that he built houses, planted vineyards and orchards, and acquired cattle; he had many servants, much silver, gold, and "the peculiar treasure of kings." He also had musical instruments and singers for his entertainment, and for a while he rejoiced in all his labor. Then at last, when he contemplated all that he had done and accumulated, he became disillusioned, and decided that "all was vanity and vexation of spirit." In his reaction against all that he had done, he said that he hated life and all the labor of his achievement. But his disappointment and sorrow turned him at last to God, and he said (verse 26), "For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy."

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