Gratitude Expressed

MARY ALICE DAYTON.

Last Thanksgiving Day the Christian Science Churches for the first time held public services. This brought out fresh acknowledgment of our many occasions for gratitude. In "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy says, "We may well unite in thanksgiving for the continued progress and unprecedented prosperity of our Cause" (p. 110). Could there be a more unselfish and impersonal thought than this?

We cannot make an estimate of our indebtedness to Christian Science. We only know that by its ministry we have been rescued from dangers seen and unseen; that by a "power not our own which makes for righteousness," our thought has been lifted to a nearer sense of God; and that health and happiness in larger measure have come to our experience. Yet, while we are rightly grateful for physical and spiritual benefits which accompany God's gift to this age, is there not infinitely greater reason for thankfulness? We should rejoice that God has revealed Himself; that His Cause is being established on earth; that it prospers; and above all that we can share the exalted privilege of bearing this message to others.

Just now the opportunity happily comes to us of giving practical evidence of our loving gratitude by contributing to the enlargement of the Mother Church, so that greater numbers may share the unspeakable blessing of our services. Each individual has an equal responsibility in this effort and an equal opportunity to partake of and dispense the spiritual bounty it unfolds.

A great Cause should have a corresponding representation. A vast amount of spiritual work has been done in the last ten years in translating erroneous human belief back to spiritual facts, and how shall this enlarged spiritual concept be manifested to the world? Can the structure of Truth and Love be, too beautiful or complete? The Psalmist says, "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." The Church must be above mortal thought of values, and express the superiority of the spiritual over material ideals.

Students of Christian Science are not working for themselves alone, but to bring to all a better sense of the affluence of Truth and Love. Our purpose is to honor God with our substance, and to illustrate the unselfishness and unity of spirit which exists among all those who have found the teaching of the Comforter in Christian Science. It is to express the unspringing gratitude towards her who has so gently led us into the kingdom of peace and good-will; to cheer her heart and enrich our own affections; and to increase our capacity to receive more of good.

The experiences in connection with building the present Mother Church remain fresh in memory to prove man's God-bestowed agency in establishing truth. One may be mentioned. A young student on reading in The Christian Science Journal of 1892, an appeal for the Building Fund, felt a strong desire to respond, but found not the means in her very slender resources. Through tears of sorrow, she lifted her thought to God, and immediately there came the thought "I can give love, and Love is substance." This comforted and satisfied her. Not long after, money came in most unexpectedly and it was at once recognized as the demonstration of Love's supply, and so applied.

Those who have seen that sacrifices would be demanded in this work, have laid by a store as God has prospered them. Others, even at the eleventh hour, have found that they likewise received every man his portion to consecrate to Truth's service. Our demonstration will be made, not while we look at what others do or do not, but only as we follow our Leader's example, and unite in hope, faith, and love, looking unto God, "In whom all the building, fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Phenomenal Upspringing of Christian Science

November 21, 1903

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit