Measuring Our Gratitude

Archibald McLellan

In the parable of the good Samaritan, whereby Jesus answered the lawyer's question as to whom he should regard as his neighbor, the great Teacher apparently sought to break down the narrow human sense which would limit one's benefactions to his family and more intimate acquaintances. Instead the lawyer was shown so clearly that he who is animated by true love for his neighbor will not withhold the helping hand from even one who has fallen by the wayside, that when the Master asked which of the three who had seen the man as he lay bruised and beaten in the dust, had measured up to the test, he could answer without hesitation, "He that showed mercy on him." It is then that we have the gracious conclusion which relates the parable to present-day needs: "Go, and do thou likewise."

Seldom is a testimony of healing in Christian Science given which does not contain an expression of gratitude for deliverance, first of all to God, "from whom all blessings flow," and then to the one who was privileged to be the channel through which the divine ever-presence of good has again been made known to mankind. When the waves of sorrow, or suffering, or sin are breaking over us, when in extremity we cry out to the living God for deliverance, we are ready to promise anything,—"all that a man hath will he give for his life," the tempter declared. What shall be the measure of our gratitude, then, when through that same infinite goodness we are lifted out of the depths of our distresses and our feet placed on the firm ground of understanding? Is it not summed up, both for the man by the wayside and for him who passing by has ministered to his need, in that brief command, "Do thou likewise"? Delivered or delivering we are under the same rule: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."

In one brief sentence Mrs. Eddy gives us a rule of measurement whereby we may test the genuineness of our gratitude for deliverance from sickness or sin. In that wonderful chapter on Prayer she says (Science and Health, p. 3), "Action expresses more gratitude than speech." It is not enough to protest we are grateful for the measure of infinite goodness that has been manifested to us, but we must share that goodness with another. We must go out into the highways and byways with the healing word, gathering in the sick and the sinning till not even one of the least of Christ's little ones is left without the shelter of our Father's house.

We are not told in the parable whether the man who was succored by the good Samaritan went and did likewise, but surely we may think of him as in turn doing a deed of mercy, and so on in an ever-widening circle, the presage of that mighty sweep of healing through Christian Science which spreading from shore to shore and from sea to sea heralds the dawn of deliverance from all evil. And this vital expression of gratitude, this sharing of good, is the privilege and duty of every Christian Scientist. Not all are so situated that they can give to the healing work the time and effort demanded of the regualr practitioner, but they can at least so exemplify the teachings of Christian Science in their daily living that when the hour of need comes to some poor sufferer they too can speak "as one having authority" and bid evil depart.

There is one way open by which the beneficiary may always measure his gratitude for healing, and that is by a ready recognition that those who faithfully give time and effort to this work are entitled to a just compensation for their services. "Final deliverance from error," Mrs. Eddy tells us, "whereby we rejoice in immortality, boundless freedom, and sinless sense, is not reached through paths of flowers nor by pinning one's faith without works to another's vicarious effort" (Science and Health, p. 22). If one has not sufficient understanding himself to do the healing work, his gratitude for deliverance which has come through one who does possess that understanding, can best measured measured by his willingness to make it possible for the practitioner to continue this blessed service to mankind. We are cutting off our full measure of blessing when we permit ourselves to accept that for which we are able but unwilling to make a just return.

In view of the constant recruiting of the ranks of Christian Scientists a word as to practitioners' fees may not be amiss. Our Leader's final counsel on this subject is that "Christian Science practitioners should make their charges for treatment equal to those of reputable physicians in their respective localities" (Miscellany, p. 237). If equivalent and efficient service is rendered, there can be no objection to such charges. On the other hand, condemnation of those who prefer to abide by the unwritten rule which formerly prevailed, or of those students of the text-book who, though not registered as practitioners, quietly and faithfully are likewise demonstrating that Truth does heal the sick today as of old, is out of place and may well be done away with. Christian Scientists one and all are amenable to that command which bids us love our neighbor as ourselves.

Archibald McLellan.

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