Editorial March 31, 1928 Issue

Gratitude

Albert F. Gilmore

Christian Scientists, following the footsteps and instruction of Mrs. Eddy, adopt the custom of acknowledging with gratitude the good which daily becomes manifest in their lives. In whatsoever form good may appear, whatever may be its substance and habiliments, its source may be traced to God, the Giver of all good, who is infinite good. Christ Jesus definitely posited all good in the divine when, in reply to the salutation, "Good Master," he said, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God."

The twofold result of recognizing all good as inherent in God, the divinely good, is an ever increasing appreciation of Him as the loving Father, who blesses all His children (spiritual ideas) with never failing beauty and bounty; and to inspire gratitude to Him in proportion to our acknowledgment of the divine source of all good. The measure of our gratitude for God's blessings determines our spiritual status. Unless we acknowledge God as the Giver, we are not receiving His gifts at their full value. Furthermore, cherishing a sense of gratitude opens thought for an ever increasing inflow of the Christ, Truth. Whoever opens the door of consciousness from within, the Christ "will come in to him, and will sup with him."

Let us not think that gratitude to God does not reach the Giver. On page xi of the Preface to "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes, "While no offering can liquidate one's debt of gratitude to God, the fervent heart and willing hand are not unknown to nor unrewarded by Him." None except one has more keenly realized the gracious reward of the truly grateful than did our beloved Leader.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

"Universal fellowship"