Editorial December 4, 1926 Issue

The Oil of Gladness

Albert F. Gilmore

Mrs. Eddy advises her students in concise terms as to the mental attitude most conducive to the gaining of spiritual truth. She repeatedly warns them against seeking for material gain as such—for the loaves and fishes; against the Pharisaical attitude of pride of possession, love of rank and intellectual superiority. And to give strength to her admonitions she points to the example of Mary Magdalene, who, "from the summit of devout consecration," sought Truth "with the oil of gladness and the perfume of gratitude," and "with tears of repentance" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 367).

How greatly do all seekers for Truth need to heed this lesson, simple in its form but of great significance in the depth of its meaning! The Pharisee would entertain the sense of superiority in rank, position, possessions, in intellectual attainment, priding himself in his assurance that he is not like other men. By the very attitude which he assumes he closes the channels through which flow the healing streams of love—gladness, humility, and gratitude. The spiritual attainment which he would possess is denied him by his false assumption: his mental attitude defeats his desire, shuts him off from the goal he seeks. He stands directly in the way of spiritual progress.

What part does "the oil of gladness" play in the gaining of spiritual truth, the knowledge of God and His universe? A very important part, for without this gracious quality the healing streams do not flow. If there be no joy, no gladness, vision is dimmed; the mental windows are darkened; material conditions are being accepted as real, and something seems to stand between God and man. One definition of "oil" which Mrs. Eddy gives in the Glossary to Science and Health (p. 592) is "heavenly inspiration." Applied to the term under consideration, this definition greatly illumines its meaning. The gladness which is based on "heavenly inspiration" is permanent, for it rises from recognition of the great fact of God's infinite love for His children, and the sure sense that because God is infinite, is All and good, there is no possible measure of reality attached to evil.

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