Article March 27, 1920 Issue

An Awakening

CLARA DOROTHY TERRY

On page 3 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says: "Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." This statement was most beautifully proved to the writer after taking up the study of Christian Science. My husband and I had been healed almost instantaneously, but we had not been showing our gratitude by our actions.

The first knock of the "still small voice" to arouse me to a clearer sense of the duty of action in expressing my gratitude, came when one of our little sons, then nine years old, said to me, "Mother, will you get up earlier next Sunday morning so we will not be late for Sunday school?" I assured him that I would, but the same apathy continued for a number of weeks longer, or until the younger of the two boys came to me with tears in his eyes and told me that the older brother had wished that his Sunday school teacher were his mother. Can you imagine a mother's feelings under these circumstances? My first thought was one of selfpity and self-righteousness; then I began to reason. I thought of the many previous years when I had prayed to God to be able to teach my children correctly, and now when I had found the truth, I was not grateful enough to aid my children in the progress they were desiring to make. I went to the older boy and asked, "Son, why do you wish your Sunday school teacher were your mother?" He drew back, stood up straight, and then looking into my face, he said, "Mother, you know I love you, but my Sunday school teacher knows so much about God, the Bible, and the Christian Science textbook that if I ask her any question about them she can always answer me."

I knew the time had come to obey the command, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." My heart went out in gratitude to God for the blessings I had received, and we tried to show this by making Christian Science first in our lives. Within a few months many things unfolded to us. The desire to attend church services more regularly led to the wish for all the literature. As my husband and I appreciated the good that had come to us, and praised God for all the blessings that are due one who will study Christian Science, more privileges were presented and accepted. Church membership, Sunday school teaching, and membership in The Mother Church unfolded most beautifully. Truly, as the prophet Isaiah has said, "A little child shall lead them."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
Giving
March 27, 1920
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit