Article October 6, 1923 Issue

The Free Gift

DELIA SHEARER FOGG

Who among us, if he were told that a priceless gift awaited him, would not make some effort to get it? Have we not all seen in the faces of those we love the expression of joy and gratitude caused by the stirring of the heart's affections upon receiving a gift? Gifts humanly bestowed are, however, often not free gifts. Sometimes they place the recipient in a position of obligation to the giver.

Now the gift which Christ Jesus came bringing is a perfectly "free gift," the "pearl of great price," which, in the centuries that have intervened since his advent upon the earth, had become so rolled up in the shades of various doctrines and creeds, and the pride and pomp of this world, that it was well-nigh hidden from view. Mrs. Eddy, because of her great spirituality and consequent love for mankind, has, however, restored it to the world in all its pristine purity in her divinely inspired book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." A conscientious study of this book has revealed to the receptive thought of thousands the gift of Truth, whereby "we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."

This gift, Paul tells us, is "by grace." The Bible has much to say about grace, showing that it is something greatly to be desired. A definition of the word "grace," given in one dictionary, is "disposition to yield obedience to divine laws." This is its spiritual meaning; and this disposition is necessary in order for us to receive the benefits which are surely ours when we yield obedience to divine law. Jesus had it in a wonderful degree; for we are told that he was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

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