Article October 27, 1928 Issue

True Gratitude

LUCRETIA G. BUNNELL

Gratitude has long been recognized as a quality of true Christianity, an esential part of Christlike character. Paul added to the necessary qualities of mercy, kindness, humility, meeknes, longsuffering, forgivenes, charity, and peace the quality of thankfulness; and he was able to triumph and to say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

Failure truly to comprehend the teachings of Christian Science may be due in some cases to lack of gratitude for benefits received from this wonderful truth. On page 3 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy has written: "If we are ungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and yet return thanks to God for all blessings, we are insincere and incur the sharp censure our Master pronounces on hypocrites. In such a case, the only acceptable prayer is to put the finger on the lips and remember our blessings."

Is not, then, our first and great need to learn to be truly grateful; and does not the beginner need to know how gratitude is best expressed? Our beloved Leader has written on the same page of Science and Health: "Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." Would it not seem from this that it is not enough to say that we are thankful for the benefits we have received, however profuse our thanks may be? Is not the real test in our daily contacts with others, many of whom may not understand this truth?

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