Article April 21, 1928 Issue

Gratitude

ETHEL L. SARGENT

A stranger attending a Christian Science testimony meeting may be impressed by the atmosphere of tranquillity which pervades the service, and by the happy, contented faces of the people. He may hear, as different ones give their testimonies, such expressions as "I am so grateful;" "I wish to express my gratitude;" "My gratitude is deeper than words can express"—each giving from his own experience an account of some proof of God's healing power, that someone else may be benefited. The testimonies generally are redolent with praise and thanksgiving for blessings received, and with the desire to share with others the good that has come through a better understanding of God gained through the study of Christian Science. Indeed, the stranger very soon sees that the keynote of a Christian Science service is gratitude—gratitude to God for healings received; gratitude to Christ Jesus, our beloved Way-shower, who demonstrated God's healing power so many years ago; gratitude to Mary Baker Eddy, the revelator of the Science of Mind-healing to this age.

In the Church Manual Mrs. Eddy says (p. 47): "Testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important. More than a mere rehearsal of blessings, it scales the pinnacle of praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ, 'who healeth all thy diseases.'" How important it is that we should tell others how the Christ, Truth, has been demonstrated in our own experience, since by such proofs others are inspired to seek for themselves the right and only perfect way to health, holiness, and true happiness!

Although the giving of testimonies is very important, every student of Christian Science knows that gratitude must be lived to be adequately expressed. Mrs. Eddy says in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 3): "Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." She herself lived her gratitude for a healing she received while her thought was turned to God for help, by devoting time and effort to searching the Scriptures to discover the Principle and exact rule by which she had been healed, that all mankind might be benefited; and our textbook and her other writings were given to the world as a result of her labors. Christian Scientists, all over the world, are attesting their gratitude for blessings received through study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's works, and are learning the true meaning of brotherly love and true service.

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