Article July 10, 1937 Issue

Voicing Gratitude

ADA C. THOMPSON

What an important part gratitude plays in the lives of Christian Scientists! While the gratitude we feel may never be fully expressed in words, yet it is right for us to voice it at the right time, that others may be blessed. Had not Mrs. Eddy considered this a very valuable condition of thought, she would not have given us the By-Law in the Church Manual (Art. VIII, Sect. 24) pertaining to "Testimonials." Glancing through the Concordances, one finds the words "gratitude" and "grateful" used many times in her writings.

Our Wednesday evening testimony meetings include a period of silent prayer and a period for the giving of "experiences, testimonies, and remarks on Christian Science" (Manual, p. 122). How helpful it would be if each student came to the meeting with his heart filled with gratitude, being thus prepared to support the meeting and to testify as he might be led to do! A testimony which lacks inspiration does not accomplish the most good, but, to quote the words of our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 262), "When the heart speaks, however simple the words, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts."

What an opportunity we are missing when we go to the meeting without bringing to it our active gratitude! Many of those who are attending for perhaps the first time may be longing to hear of the healing of a condition similar to that with which they are struggling. Let us not withhold "a cup of cold water" which will help them to receive healing.

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