Article April 24, 1909 Issue

GRATITUDE

GENEVIEVE BOOTH.

From time to time my attention has been drawn to the opposition manifested by some who are becoming interested in Christian Science, to what they deem is the adulation of Mrs. Eddy. It seems to be the last resisting thought of those who might otherwise be benefited by entering in. I have been through this phase of experience myself, and have come to see how little it amounts to. The announcement of the name of the author of Science and Health at the services, and expressions of gratitude to her at the testimonial meetings—why should these ever be obnoxious to visitors? Is it not, perhaps, because gratitude is one of the least practised and understood of all virtues? We know that mankind is so actively engaged in "getting," that even the human idea of love is mainly selfish and depends upon some return, instead of existing by its own inherent worth and by the inestimable privilege of having found a nature noble enough to call it into being. Men, as a rule, do not like to be under obligations to others. They prefer to be considered independent and self-sufficient. Says Shakespeare,—

Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend.

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