Gratitude is not merely thankfulness expressed in words, nor is humility merely a modest, retiring demeanor, Gratitude and humility are conditions of enlightened thought; and they are complementary, for without humility there can be no true gratitude, and without gratitude no real humility.

It is, of course, easy to be grateful for the overcoming of sickness, sin, lack, and discordant human relationships through the ministrations of Christian Science, or for the successful accomplishment of a difficult task; but are we equally grateful for a loving though merited rebuke? This is indeed the supreme test of gratitude, for mortal mind refuses correction and takes refuge in resentment and self-justification. True humility is that receptiveness which, giving all credit to God, says (John 5:30), "I can of mine own self do nothing."

True humility has no connection with the servile, timeserving traits of mortal mind, for it relies on the spiritual sense of God and man. Mary Baker Eddy states (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 209), "Spiritual sense is a conscious, constant capacity to understand God." Christ Jesus, who perfectly manifested this spiritual sense of being, stressed the importance both of gratitude and of humility when, after he had healed the ten lepers and but one returned to give thanks, he asked (Luke 17:17), "Where are the nine?"

On another occasion, when his disciples asked (Matt. 18:1), "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus, after setting a little child in the midst of them, replied (verses 3, 4): "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Let us compare this incident with the scene which Jesus depicted in his parable of the two men who went into the temple to pray: "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican;" while "the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saving, God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:11, 13). Was the Pharisee's prayer an expression of true gratitude or merely a paean of self-praise? It was the latter, and inevitably closed the door of his thought to God's angel messages; while the publican, waiting in humility, could not help receiving the spiritual blessing and guidance which he craved. It was the publican who won Jesus' commendation.

Spiritual healing comes to him who, through humility and gratitude, has opened wide the door of his thought to Truth. Jesus thanked God before he commanded Lazarus to "come forth," and Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health, p. 3): "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." The giving of a testimony is the expression of the heart overflowing with gratitude to God for His great gift of Christian Science.

The writer recently had an experience which is precious to her. In the issue of the Sentinel dated July 5, 1947, a short poem, "Morning Prayer," was published which she thought so beautiful that she memorized it:

Each morning she repeated this prayer as a lovely thought with which to begin the day. It was an expression of loving gratitude, and it did not occur to her that a healing would result from it. Nevertheless, a healing followed, for shortly afterwards she realized that she was sleeping soundly through the night, a thing she had not done for many months. The mesmeric belief of insomnia had been destroyed. And how? By gratitude for God's goodness expressed meekly and lovingly, without expectation of personal benefit. Thus her previous custom of giving thanks only after a healing, was reversed. This was a great revelation to her, leading to a higher understanding of Science, for, pondering the experience, she saw that humility had opened the door and gratitude had welcomed in the truth, which heals.

It behooves us, therefore, to be grateful not only occasionally for material benefits, but constantly for ever-present good, for Life, Truth, Love. How then can we express gratitude and humility? Is it not by gentleness, loving-kindness, and consideration in thought, word, and deed to all with whom we come in contact? Is it not also by appreciating another's right efforts and attainment? We do not, however, ignore error, but deny it reality, power, or presence and acknowledge as real God's perfect, spiritual creation. By knowing that each idea of God is established in Mind, and that no idea can usurp the good of another, we eliminate all strife, rivalry, and competition and substitute co-operation. As we put God first and reflect Him in all our ways, we express true humility and gratitude and receive in full measure the blessings of spiritual peace, joy, harmony, and abundance which Christian Science bestows.

That humility and gratitude are ingredients of the prayer that is answered, our beloved Leader indicates in the following passage from Science and Health (p. 8): "If we feel the aspiration, humility, gratitude, and love which our words express,—this God accepts." Humility and gratitude—loving, gracious, gentle—are the qualities that are needed in the preparation of the good soil, in which the seed of Truth will take root and bring forth abundantly.