Article August 18, 1956 Issue

WHAT ARE WE CHERISHING?

LUCINDA BAKER GREINER

Once when she received a gift from a beloved aunt, the writer devoted much time and thought to composing a note to her which would fully express her gratitude and appreciation. "I will always cherish it," she finally wrote, in heartfelt sincerity, knowing that those words best expressed her feeling.

It was on the following morning that the word "cherish" began to stand out more definitely to the writer, both in its negative and positive meanings. While she was spending a refreshing hour studying "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, she read the following passage (p. 411): "Whatever is cherished in mortal mind as the physical condition is imaged forth on the body."

This statement caught and held the writer's attention because of the arresting way in which Mrs. Eddy uses the word "cherished." The writer turned to a dictionary. There she found several definitions given for the verb "to cherish." The first one was expected and familiar: "to hold dear; to treat with tenderness and affection; hence, to nurture with care." But the second section of the definition was less familiar: "to harbor in the mind; cling to." Other meanings given were nourish, nurse, entertain, indulge, foster.

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