IN the heart of one healed by the operation of spiritual law, as understood in Christian Science, gratitude rises spontaneously, albeit before his healing one may have had a slight acquaintance with this health-giving influence. Sincere gratitude begets love, and love must ever express itself in giving. This unfettered sense of love reaches out to the whole world. It withstands ingratitude and indifference, and unites with compassion and tenderness; whereas before one's healing there was lack of understanding, and also stolidity and criticism regarding what one believed Christian Science to be. The student knows that God, invincible Love, is the only real power, and that Love's transforming grace will eventually reach every heart, according to the promises recorded in Scripture.
How devious the paths by which Christian Scientists gain their first glimpse of this angel-visitant! In an hour of conflict one turned to Christian Science through recognition of its regenerative power in the life of a friend. He had known others also who had been healed of physical, mental, moral, and financial distress through the prayers of practitioners, through the truth voiced at Christian Science lectures, or through reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and the other authorized Christian Science literature, some of which had fallen into their hands in unexpected yet God-directed ways. This helped him greatly, because in every instance the healing was the result of the activity of Truth, destroying in human consciousness false and mistaken beliefs about God and man.
Mortal mind, so called, does not comprehend that which lies beyond the narrow limits of its own horizon. The love that gives to friend and foe alike, without thought of return, except the joy of giving, is too transcendental to be interpreted by it aright, too remote from the cramped material concept of love.
