Article September 29, 1917 Issue

Unselfed Love and Gratitude

JENNIE M. DELLANO

Many helpful lessons may be gained in our passage from sense to Soul through appreciation of the unselfish deeds of others. The Scriptures are filled with these object lessons, such as the little maid of Israel who, when taken captive into Syria, did not sit down in self-pity and bemoan her fate, but turned her thought to helping Naaman that he might be healed of his leprosy. Not only was Naaman's healing accomplished, but we find him giving this complete acknowledgment of its source, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel."

In one of our Wednesday evening meetings a gentleman told of his having reached home from business one evening in excruciating pain, when a telephone message came asking him to help a friend who was suffering. His first thought was that he had quite enough to do for him-self, but he answered, "Yes, I will." He gave his friend treatment as taught in Christian Science, realizing the allness and power and presence of God with the patient, and man's likeness to his Maker. And when the gentleman's thought reverted to himself he was healed.

We read in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, "Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power" (p. 192). All nature expresses the thought of giving out beauty and loveliness and expecting nothing in return. The great trees leaf out in grandeur, affording shelter and shade for God's little ones. The early hours of the summer mornings are gladdened by the songs of birds, which pour out gratitude to our heavenly Father before they have found their morning meal. We are too apt to give thanks afterward instead of before we receive the blessing. This was not Jesus' way; he said, "Father, I thank thee," and then bade Lazarus come forth.

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