Article July 20, 1957 Issue

GOODNESS AND GRATITUDE

GRACE E. ROWNTREE

"Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more." This arresting question and answer made by Mary Baker Eddy may be found on page 3 of her God-inspired book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

What is this good we have already received, and whence does it emanate? Do we all receive, an equal amount of it, and do we express gratitude for the blessings it bestows? It would seem to the material senses that good is a personal possession, with which some are more richly endowed than others. This, however, is true only of the mortal concept of good, which, because it is mortal, is subject to chance and change. It is not to be confused with the spiritual, changeless, impersonal, and immortal goodness of God, of which we may all freely avail ourselves.

The real man, made in God's likeness, continually receives and naturally expresses spiritual good, and he can never be separated from it. We should be eternally grateful for this fact. The following definition is of great value to those searching for the true meaning of "good" (ibid., p. 587): "Good. God; Spirit; omnipotence; omniscience; omnipresence; omniaction."

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