Articles

Gratitude may be defined as the quality of thankfulness springing spontaneously from the heart for benefits received. It is the joyous recognition of God's goodness made manifest in our lives.

Through an understanding of the many beautiful attributes of Mind, God, as enumerated by Mary Baker Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," a thoughtful student of Christian Science found great comfort in perceiving that the essence of every one of them was permanence. Referring to "the fleeting concepts of the human mind," on page 264 , Mrs.

A Famous Italian sculptor, Michelangelo, is reputed to have said, "Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle. " On page 123 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has used this saying in the statement: "Seeing that we have to attain to the ministry of righteousness in all things, we must not overlook small things in goodness or in badness, for 'trifles make perfection,' and 'the little foxes.

When thinking from a material basis alone, mortals regard receiving as the coming into possession of something they did not have before. Also, they often regard giving as the conveying of something of their own without compensatory return, as though they were becoming separated from a substantial possession.

There is deep significance in the fact that in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, the initial chapter is a treatise on prayer; for however mistaken the thought may be, or however dim the vision, it is through prayer that men seek to know God. Too often, however, prayer has been regarded as a means or method by which some personal desire may be fulfilled or some event be brought to pass.

Rightly viewed, organization means co-operation, protection, and orderly procedure. Observation shows how much concerted action based on right ideals accomplishes, and how little is done today without organized effort.

We become blessed through our own steadfastness. To gain this cardinal characteristic, we must lift our gaze beyond human agencies to divine Principle, which is always available, dependable, and constant.

" The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me," was Job's cry in the midst of tribulation. Through a mistaken concept of meek surrender and of the true nature of God, he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.

The following declaration from John's first epistle is both inspiring and comforting: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God. " The truth of this statement does not depend upon any particular epoch, creed, or race for its fulfillment.

It is instructive and helpful to study the Scriptural admonition to wait on the Lord, and encouraging to note the rich blessings promised to those who do this. Such should be undertaken with the understanding that divine Love has already given all good, and that it is our individual task, with earnest desire, to act in accordance with God's will.