Editorial November 19, 1949 Issue

UNDERSTANDING AND THANKFULNESS

Helen Wood Bauman

Thankfulness has its roots in spiritual understanding, and the genuinely thankful seek to kindle in others the joy in Truth which fills their own hearts. Christian Scientists have great cause for thankfulness, for they are beginning to perceive God's spiritual universe; and in the dawn of its illumination the carnal senses, with their woes and rebellious plaints, their ignorant beliefs about God and their misconception of man, are fading away. The thankfulness of Christian Scientists rests upon their understanding of the one real creation, which is tangible to spiritual consciousness alone. It stems from healing experiences in which they have found goodness in its Principle and have demonstrated it as absolute law.

Mary Baker Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 1), "To kindle all minds with a gleam of gratitude, the new idea that comes welling up from infinite Truth needs to be understood." And she says further, "The seer of this age should be a sage." Truth, God, is uttering itself in the consciousness of those who seek Christian Science, and "things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 13:35) are unfolding in thought. The evidence of man's spiritual existence in God prepares those who discern it to speak of divine Science with the compelling authority of true wisdom. In the measure of their understanding they can repeat the Master's words to the woman at Jacob's well (John 4:22), "We know what we worship."

Those whose spiritual perceptions are roused to feel Love's nature and obey its will, know that they can kindle gratitude for Science effectively only as their individual characters are hallowed by the truths they profess. It is from the heart that has lived Truth in the affections that the message of Science rings with convincing vitality. No skill in the statement of the letter of God's Word can conceal a lack of its spirit. No determined denial of matter can compensate for the failure to express love and truthfulness. Irritation cannot announce Love's allness. Impurity speaks not of the one pure Mind. Fearfulness imparts no consciousness of the Comforter. Goodness alone kindles respect for the Science which exalts goodness as the essence and strength of true law.

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