Article April 30, 1955 Issue

SOME THOUGHTS ON GRATITUDE

ELDREDGE M. MURRAY

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 164), "What is gratitude but a powerful camera obscura, a thing focusing light where love, memory, and all within the human heart is present to manifest light." Gratitude felt and expressed truly focuses the light of spiritual understanding, the influence of Love, in one's consciousness and experience, and healing results. The glow of gratitude one feels is in proportion to his spiritual enlightenment.

Gratitude in the heart of the student of Christian Science is a living power. It includes a warm thankfulness to God for Christ Jesus and his exemplification of the truth; for Mrs. Eddy for her Leadership and revelation of the truth; and for all other sincere students of Christian Science for their demonstration of the truth. Gratitude includes humility and cheer. It impels one to want to he good and to do good, and to express prayerful acknowledgment to God for benefactions received.

Gratitude is manifested in joyful obedience to the many provisions of the Manual of The Mother Church, written by our Leader. The Christian Science periodicals and the Wednesday meetings of Churches of Christ, Scientist, afford opportunities for those who have been blessed by the healing power of Truth to share their gratitude with others. Christ Jesus beautifully referred to the evidence of such gratitude when he declared (Luke 6: 45), "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; ... for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

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