Article November 19, 1955 Issue

THE GIVING OF THANKS

OLEONA EDWARDS COCHRANE

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation" (Ps. 68:19). This paean of praise goes out each year from the grateful hearts of millions of people living in the United States as they gather in places of worship to celebrate one of their most cherished holidays. How fitting it is that Thanksgiving Day was early designated as a national holiday by the country whose motto is, "In God we trust." Its citizens naturally trust God because, since the founding of their country, the evidence of a loving Father's protection, guidance, and provision has never failed to appear.

However, they cannot claim complete originality in this custom of thanksgiving, for in the early part of the Old Testament and throughout the New Testament, the Bible is replete with admonitions to give thanks. We know that innumerable people throughout the world now give reverent thanks, not once a year, but constantly, for the fact that Truth was revealed to Mary Baker Eddy, who placed especial emphasis on thanksgiving and gratitude. Mrs. Eddy, our beloved Leader, felt that the giving of thanks for blessings received is so vital to our continued spiritual growth and well-being that she provided for testimony meetings to be devoted largely to expressions of gratitude for blessings received through obedience to the rules of Christian Science.

Divine guidance is also shown forth in the By-Law included in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy which states in part (Art. VIII, Sect. 24): "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' (Psalm 103:3)."

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