Article May 13, 1922 Issue

Gratitude

CHARLES J. DEAN

So frequently are the words "grateful" and "gratitude" used by Christian Scientists in their daily conversations and in the Wednesday evening testimony meetings, that it is not unwise for us to take the time occasionally to let thought dwell upon the true meaning of gratitude, and to ask ourselves, Am I truly grateful? Finding our daily needs supplied, our financial condition prosperous, our body healthy and strong, and the mortal sense of ease and comfort satisfied, we are oftentimes led into believing that we are truly grateful to God for all these blessings, when a careful analysis of our thought would reveal the fact that there is a lurking mortal belief of the ability of self to bring these things into our lives.

If you take a genuine bank note to a banker or a merchant, you have no difficulty in exchanging it for the full amount of the value which it represents; but if you go with a counterfeit note, even though you are entirely honest in believing it is good, the banker quickly detects the spuriousness of the bill, and instead of having that which has value, you find yourself in possession of only a worthless misrepresentation of value. Applying this to the subject under consideration, we find that the humble contrition and earnest seeking of the Magdalen proved irrefutably her genuine gratitude; while the Pharisee, standing in public places where he might win the approbation of men, manifested that false sense of gratitude which is expressed only by empty words.

At this point it is natural, perhaps, to ask, Just what is true gratitude? Jesus taught that the possession of true gratitude is manifest in us when we express that quality of spontaneous and continuous thanksgiving which, governing every thought and act of our lives, enables us to be ever conscious of the presence of omnipotent good enduing us with all power. When the testing time comes,—that is, when discord seems to have usurped the place of the harmony we have been enjoying,—we shall find that if our gratitude has been whole-hearted and genuine it remains with us. Thereby are we steadied and sustained, so that the error is quickly routed and the victory won. If, however, our gratitude has been a structure of "gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble," built upon a foundation of self, on the shifting sands of mortal belief, we are soon forced to retrace our steps and, in humility, to begin anew.

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