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.

If a person is unable or disinclined to make some return for a favor, the obligation often becomes a cause of estrangement. Here we see that it takes a very lofty nature to sustain an obligation.

At the time that I was struggling with a personal sense in regard to the constant references to our Leader, I had not made a practical application of the Principle and rule of Christian Science. I had, however, been benefited by the work of others, and was convinced of the truth and efficacy of this teaching. Then came a sudden opportunity to apply the rule, and the demonstration was instantaneous. From that time the gratitude expressed for Christian Science ceased to be a stumbling-block, and there has grown up instead a sense of appreciation such as I have never known before. The scientific certainty of the operation of the rule shows me the Spirit of truth guiding into all truth, and no matter how slight the understanding may be, he who is able to demonstrate even a little in Christian Science has "seen a great light," and he begins to gain some small idea of the unselfishness and consecration of the life of her who has brought this knowledge anew to the world's apprehension. Thankfulness to God, and to Mrs. Eddy, wells up in his heart, and this is in itself a call to higher thought and action. Perhaps it is not realized today to what extent Mrs. Eddy's writings have been used by others without her authorship having been acknowledged. The wisdom of announcing the references from Science and Health in our services is patent, i.e., that Mrs. Eddy's writings may not be confounded with those of others.

It does seem, that with the growth of the Christian Science movement and the unnumbered host of its cultured and intelligent followers, the charge of too much gratitude to our Leader should fall of its own weight. The world honors those who have in material ways won distinction in its service. We vie with each other in seeking the acquaintance of those who by their talents cause us to pass pleasantly an hour or two of our time, without so much as approaching the depths of our being or inspiring a thought that would be productive of any future good. We in this country have some reason to be grateful to Columbus for discovering America, and we did not hesitate to express our admiration of that intrepid mariner by celebrating the four hundredth anniversary of the event in a magnificent manner and in erecting statues to him. Is there anything strange in this? Columbus sailed westward on an unknown sea with his inspired idea as his guide. He held his mutinous men in subjection by the strength of his conviction, and found a new world. We do well to acclaim him!

Our revered Leader set sail alone on the sea of mortal thought, with its turbulent waves of sin and disease, and guided by the light of the teachings and life of Christ Jesus has given to each one of us a new world, the world of Spirit and of freedom; the magnitude of whose meaning we as yet but dimly discern. We know the opposition that has met this coming of the Christ-idea, and the courage and faithfulness with which Mrs. Eddy has withstood it all. Said Jesus, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away," and his saying has been proved true. Is it strange that we are grateful? Surely not the least we have learned is to be thankful that we are thankful. Often before we have come to God with our plaints and with our desires, but now we know how to offer Him gratitude, as Mrs. Eddy so beautifully phrases it in one of her hymns, "with love perfumed" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 396).

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