Editorial August 5, 1916 Issue

Gratitude and Gladness

Annie M. Knott

WE are often reminded that the right of all men to "the pursuit of happiness" is claimed in the American Declaration of Independence. Happiness itself, however, cannot be secured by any legal means, and the failure to realize this blessing shows that it must be sought otherwise. There is unfortunately a prevailing fiction that happiness is very elusive, and that mankind seldom get beyond its pursuit; but even this affords a stimulus to human effort of which it were a mistake to lose sight. We should indeed never abandon the pursuit of happiness until the radiant reality of the divine ideal is attained, for our heavenly Father assuredly means that His every child shall possess it. The word happiness does not occur in the Bible, but gladness, which expresses the same idea, is to be found very often. On page 57 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy tells us that "happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love." This being admitted, we shall never find what all desire, if we seek it through materiality.

It is too seldom seen that gladness and gratitude are very closely related, so much so, indeed, that we cannot retain the one without the other. The student of Christian Science has started on a voyage of discovery, on which are revealed in numberless ways how good God is and always has been to him. Past, present, and future contribute to awakened spiritual perception their quota of good, and at each discovery we should reverentially pause to give thanks for the good which God bestows, but to which we were oblivious until in our search for happiness we found a never appreciated divine gift. Then comes a flood of light which renders fresh discoveries possible. At every step of the way it is true that with more gratitude there is more light, and with the light more gladness. The psalmist says, "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee." In so doing he makes a discovery and declares that God's law "is better ... than thousands of gold and silver." Who indeed would exchange happiness for all the riches of earth?

Christ Jesus never forgot to give thanks, whatever the occasion might seem to human sense. He did so when he fed the thousands in the wilderness, and no less did he the same at the last sad supper with his disciples. Paul did likewise in the presence of crew and passengers when the wreck of their ship seemed inevitable. The effect of his thanksgiving was that all were "of good cheer," and although the ship was doomed not a man was lost. The abiding gladness, the deep joy of this great Christian hero, must have been contagious, and in proof of its spiritual origin we find it expressed at once in healing work. As gratitude begets more gratitude, the people of Melita knew no bounds to theirs for the Christ-healing, and its outward manifestation extended both to Paul and his companions.

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