Article April 19, 1930 Issue

Stepping-Stones of Gratitude

CHARLES KYSON

In our progress from sense to Soul, there occasionally come times in our experience when we become somewhat impatient with the trials and tribulations that seem so unceasingly to beset us in our present state of understanding. However, we must never lose sight of the possibility of achieving the ideal of painless progress. We cannot attain the celestial heights of understanding and demonstration without consecrated effort, patient consistent study, and faithful demonstration. But we know this ideal to be possible of attainment because there have been times in our experience when, during periods of inspiration, we have known the exalted joy of progress without pain or tribulation. This experience constitutes proof and affords encouragement; and so we push courageously forward, knowing that this ideal of painless progress can become to us not only an ultimate possibility, but a continuous actuality.

Gratitude is unquestionably an essential factor in demonstration. True gratitude is not a passive state of mind, but expresses itself as a vital, living force. On page 3 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech."

We can manifest gratitude even for the problems we are called upon to solve, and for the demonstrations we are obliged to make. These are, in fact, the stepping-stones in our progress from sense to Soul. In our study of mathematics, for example, it would be difficult to conceive of our attaining a workable knowledge of the subject without having to solve a series of problems, each solution constituting a stepping-stone toward the certainty that mathematical science is not only true, but practical and workable.

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