Article October 1, 1921 Issue

Give us Grateful Hearts

WILLIAM HENRY ECKERSLEY

HELPFUL work for the cause of Christian Science, be it ever so humble, so long as it is governed by divine Principle, is to be encouraged. Particularly is the writer desirous of making the road a little easier for those who have newly entered Christian Science for a healing and to whom a supposititious mortal sense is saying, "You are not making any progress." Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" on page 21, "If Truth is overcoming error in your daily walk and conversation, you can finally say, 'I have fought a good fight ... I have kept the faith,' because you are a better man." And on the same page she says: "If the disciple is advancing spiritually, he is striving to enter in. He constantly turns away from material sense, and looks towards the imperishable things of Spirit. If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy."

It is helpful to the student and earnest seeker after truth to know that the right desire in itself is the beginning of that honesty of purpose which divine Love blesses because it proves the consciousness of desiring some measure of freedom from the so-called ills and diseases to which one has been subject. Analyzed quietly and calmly, this desire is the outcome of the knowing that freedom from sickness and other forms of evil can be attained in some way. To realize that the motive is born of God, good, helps each of us to be grateful for a gradual realization of the healing truth. It encourages one to press on in his studies, to overcome error by demonstration of the power of truth in his own home, by the knowledge that it has suddenly become easier to withstand the promptings of the human mind, and by a calmer, quieter, and steadier view of what constitutes man in the image and likeness of God.

All these manifestations of the one infinite Spirit we are apt to overlook in watching only for our own particular healing. Yet it is only in meekness and gratitude to divine Love for all His mercies that we shall ascend to the higher realms of understanding. The grateful student of Christian Science sees cause for continuously praising and glorifying infinite Mind. Each step of the way there is occasion for rejoicing. We watch and guard our thoughts more and more. Each trial is a further proof of God's allness. Mortal mind becomes less convincing to us and has to yield more quickly to demonstrable truth. Fear of all kinds lessens and the wondrous power of Life, Truth, and Love becomes clearer to us. Thus, as seekers after the truth, we are helped all the way by knowing that we get our courage and hope from God. We are making the journey that Jesus made, drinking of the cup that he drank, demonstrating as far as we understand the spiritual truth of divine Love. Each of us who has made the journey from the sick house to the well house knows now that we can indeed glorify God in our infirmities, for He is leading us into the peace that passeth all understanding. Helpfulness, then, is to realize that we have the presence of divine Love all the way and each day we can count our blessings and know that if we remain honest and in earnest in our striving to enter in, as our Leader has told us, we shall finish our course with joy.

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