IN Christian Science, gratitude is the heart's overflow of appreciation for the understanding of God. It is the blossoming of the ideas of Soul, the irrepressible song of thanksgiving of the heart for healing. But above all else, gratitude is deep appreciation.

Ingratitude is lack of appreciation. Let us, then, always express gratitude; let us always express gratitude; let us always realize the value of Christian Science.

On page 57 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy says, "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love." We may say the same of gratitude, for happiness and gratitude go together. And concerning happiness, Mrs. Eddy adds in the next sentence, "It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." As it is with happiness, so is it with gratitude.

The overwhelming joy of spiritual appreciation of divine good may seem at times to be too deep for expression. But, sooner or later, the blessing cannot be kept within the secret chambers of one's own spiritual sense, for gratitude, like happiness, is unselfish; it must be shared.

It was for this very purpose that our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, established the Wednesday testimony meetings. In the Manual of The Mother Church, she writes (Art. VIII, Sect. 24): "'Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's' (St. Paul). 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 demon-stration of Christ, 'who healeth all thy diseases' (Psalm 103:3)."

The Wednesday testimony meetings in Christian Science churches are unique. These meetings have the vital and indispensable function of verifying the fact of Christian Science healing to the public. Those students of this religion who have had healing and spiritual regeneration are given the privilege of sharing their experiences with the general public.

The warm invitation to attend our testimony meetings and find out how Christian Science heals is an assurance to the people of our community that those healed will be present and willing to testify. The simple dignity and deeply inspirational quality of the meeting provide an ideal occasion for the "highly important" testimony mentioned in the Manual.

Moreover, the fact that our Wednesday meetings are placed under the loving protection of God, divine Mind, through our prayerful metaphysical work, helps to give those testifying an assurance that they can speak honestly and wisely of their blessings. In this spiritual atmosphere of Soul, the outpouring of divine ideas and their healing power finds harmonious expression.

Devoted students of Christian Science place the same high value on our testimony meetings as on our Sunday services. They attend the Wednesday meetings regularly and share willingly their happy expressions of gratitude. They know that thanksgiving on the proper occasion is a blessing to one and all—the community, the individual church member, and the church.

Gratitude is a shining light that attracts the receptive ones to Truth. Just as one person with a lighted candle may enter a darkened room and light the candles of others, thus brightening the entire room, so gratitude expressed by one radiates that glow of appreciation and understanding that makes Christian Science vital and valuable to others.

On page 570 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy states: "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences." Farther along in the same paragraph she says, "Those ready for the blessing you impart will give thanks." Yes, gratitude lights the candle of inspiration for others, and they too will blend with ours their giving of thanks. It is our privilige—and our duty—to share helpful experiences of healings at the testimony meetings.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians wrote (3:16), "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalmsand hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." And he also said (4:2), "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."

We should feel an increasing measure of heartfelt joy as a result of our study and practice of Christian Science. Let us not allow ourselves to become the victims of error's suggestions of stolidity, conventionality, apathy, or material drudgery. Through the right kind of study and metaphysical work, we can experience more of that genuine satisfaction and happiness which quicken our appreciation of Truth.

This is the kind of spiritual thinking which uplifts our lives and gives us the spontaneous energy which is thanksgiving itself. This is the kind of gratitude we can take with us and share at our precious testimony meetings.