Article November 25, 1933 Issue

"A psalm of gratitude"

JOHN RANDALL DUNN

Christian scientists actually are privileged to have fifty-three public thanksgiving services a year; for is not each midweek testimonial meeting an occasion of praise and thanksgiving, and a happy precursor of the annual Thanksgiving service, for which a special Lesson-Sermon is prepared? In no way were the inspiration and divine guidance afforded the gracious Leader of the Christian Science movement, Mrs. Eddy, better displayed than in the institution of these Wednesday meetings and in joining in the custom of holding the annual Thanksgiving service; for are we not thus systematically reminded that, to use the words of the Psalmist, "it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord," and that "praise is comely for the upright"? The Wednesday evening meetings and the annual Thanksgiving service are veritable harvest festivals, whereto are brought the sheaves of rejoicing for sin overcome, for pain stilled, discord banished, and good enthroned.

In the American Union, the President and the Governors of the different states issue Thanksgiving proclamations, setting aside the last Thursday in November as a day of special thanksgiving, and they generally recount in their messages the particular causes for gratitude on the part of the American people. Now, while loving America and her ideals, and recognizing that this great Christian Science movement unquestionably had to have its birth on the shores of the new world, the student of Christian Science—the revelation of universal good—is becoming more internationally-minded, a lover of all mankind, a citizen of the world. His, therefore, is a thanksgiving for God's goodness to all His children—thanksgiving for every forward step in every nation, for every slightest indication of the spread of the true brotherhood of man; and thanksgiving that the very turmoil and upheaval in evidence today in human affairs betokens what Mrs. Eddy calls in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 540) the stirring of "the muddy river-bed" and the bringing to the surface and casting out of the sin, greed, and hate lurking in human thought!

What a universal thanksgiving there should be that the Science of Christianity is available today for the guidance, the deliverance, the comforting and healing of the sons of men! The student of Christian Science, when traveling in an airplane, clings to the sustaining truth and is unspeakably grateful therefor; the voyager at sea learns to lie down in peace, fearing neither danger nor illness; the perplexed father, the burdened mother, the seemingly overtaxed student learn to lean on omnipotent Mind, claim man's dominion, and gratefully find the answers to their problems. Statesmen, executives, writers, professional people reaching out for the consciousness of Truth in Science find inspiration, strength, sagacity; and they are glad. The humble student of this Science is daily, hourly blessed, guided, and upheld by the healing Christ, Truth. Can the recipients of all these blessings fail to be grateful? Gratitude can mean naught else than the joyous recognition of Love's nearness, of the Father's infinite goodness.

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