Editorial August 9, 1913 Issue

PRACTICAL GRATITUDE

Archibald McLellan

In our daily experience we largely get into the habit of dividing into various grades the sins which tempt mankind. Some are looked upon as being much worse than others, some are regarded as sins of commission and some as sins of omission, and to these latter much leniency is usually shown, for they are supposed to be minor in importance and least serious in their results. Probably the lack of gratitude for benefits received would generally be regarded as a sin of omission, but Christian Scientists are fast learning that this sin is far-reaching in its effects and one to be studiously avoided if they are to progress toward that state which Jesus called the kingdom of God, the childlike recognition of a loving Father who gives only good gifts to His children. In this connection it is well to remember, as Mrs. Eddy points out, that "action expresses more gratitude than speech;" that if we are really grateful, "we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more" (Science and Health, p. 3).

In the old way of thinking, many had looked upon our Master's words, "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven," as a threat of vengeance or reprisal, as expressing a personal determination to punish a personal wrong-doer, or one who had given personal offense. In a very few words on page 372 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy entirely changes this concept of Jesus' words, and makes clear their true meaning, namely, an exposition of the inevitable result of failure to understand and obey the word of God. After quoting these words of the Master, she says, "In Christian Science, a denial of Truth is fatal, while a just acknowledgment of Truth and of what it has done for us is an effectual help. If pride, superstition, or any error prevents the honest recognition of benefits received, this will be a hindrance to the recovery of the sick and the success of the student." To be lacking in gratitude is to bring upon ourselves a proportionate narrowing of our blessings, a present-day application of the teaching, "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."

Throughout Science and Health, and her other writings as well, Mrs. Eddy makes plain the impersonal nature of the Master's teachings, together with the necessity for grateful recognition of what Christian Scientists are receiving whenever they truly turn to God for deliverance from all that is unlike Him. Scarcely any one who has had much experience in Christian Science but has noticed the struggles of those who fail to appreciate what Truth is doing for them, or the rapid progress of those whose expectations may have been small, but their gratitude boundless. And by gratitude we do not mean that which is felt only toward some person, but rather that deep appreciation of God's goodness which makes of "each loving life a psalm of gratitude."

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