Article October 8, 1910 Issue

EXPRESSED APPRECIATION

ANNE ARCHBOLD MILLER

Have we not divine authority for expressing appreciation to our fellow-man for words well spoken, for work well done? Was not Love's crown of appreciation expressed when, after the baptism of Spirit, Jesus was so imbued with the Christ-consciousness that "he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Again and again did the Master express his loving appreciation for words well spoken, for services well rendered, for work well done; yet he who did humanity the greatest service ever given by man, he whose words of love brought life to a world in need, he whose works revealed to man the forever Science of being in God, save in a few humble instances was denied earthly appreciation. He did not, however, deny it to others, knowing that the just appreciation of unselfish effort in the service of his Father could but inspire holier desire and higher accomplishment. With what unmeasured joy must the disciples have heard these words: "Ye are the salt of the earth. ... Ye are the light of the world," though followed by the gentle admonitions, "But if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?" and "A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." With what spontaneity of tender appreciation did the Master say to the impetuous Peter, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

Again, how joyfully must the disciples have received his tribute to their higher spiritual understanding, when he said, "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear." In many cases of healing Jesus first verbally expressed his appreciation of the faith reposed in him; as in the case of the woman who desired but to touch the hem of his robe, that she might be made whole. To her he said, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole." In the presence of the woman whose loving devotion to him had manifested itself in the pouring out of a precious ointment, he said: "Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me." No loving word, no gentle service, "be it song, sermon, or Science" (Science and Health, p. 234), born of a loving motive, but is worthy of our tenderest appreciation, the voicing of which could never fail to create higher, holier effort. That spoken word, that kindly service, which brings any good, however small, to a fellow-man, is in its very nature wholly selfless, for all good is of God; hence an expression of appreciation is but praise to God,—to Him "from whom all blessings flow." Each and every such expression enriches the giver by enlarging his love for another and aiding in the effacement of self.

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EXPRESSED APPRECIATION

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