Editorial November 24, 1923 Issue

Thankfulness and Gratitude

Ella W. Hoag

It is scarcely strange that thankfulness and gratitude should often be considered synonymously, since their nature is so interrelated. Certain it is that no one can ever be truly spiritually-minded who does not possess and practice both of these heavenly qualities in very large degree; and it is equally true that without both, either would be incomplete. It has been said: "Our thankfulness is measured by the number of our words: our gratitude is measured by the nature of our actions. ... Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude; gratitude is the completion of thankfulness."

Thankfulness is the mental quality which is the first spontaneous acknowledgment of a benefit received. Many are the words of thanksgiving poured forth by mankind,—thanks to God and to men for advantages experienced, for gifts received. All Christian Scientists are striving to be truly thankful and truly grateful. Many are their words of thanksgiving; but however frequently these may be uttered, the honest heart at the same time sends up a prayer that the words may not be merely lip-service, but may rather be the beginning of that gratitude which will show its appreciation of the good received by some deed of deep sincerity.

On page 3 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in defining gratitude, Mrs. Eddy has written: "Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." If, therefore, one's thankfulness for benefits is not stirred to some expression deeper than mere words, it is still lacking in full appreciation. And what expresses truer appreciation of any benefit better than the proper use of it? We might say we were thankful for something given us; but our gratitude could be proved only as we made use of the gift. If one accepted a book with thanks, but never read it; thankfully received a garment, but never wore it, he would be totally wanting in true gratitude for those gifts. To accept the blessings which God is showering upon us and say how thankful one is for them would be but "as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" were not the gift put into active service. The fact is, that every gift of God is bestowed in order that it may be used. There is no bestowal from His infinite bounty but He intends it shall perform its own distinctive service.

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