Article August 2, 1900 Issue

"Freely Ye have Received, Freely Give"

BY WILLIAM J. MURRAY.

Frequently we hear it said by those who have experienced the beneficial effects of Christian Science, that they would like to testify to such, but their cures are of such a nature that people could not believe them unless they knew the facts of the case. It is quite true that there are cures taking place under this treatment which seem incredible to the uninitiated, but this should not deter its beneficiaries from sounding the praises of the most High at our testimonial meetings. We must not expect all present to believe us and be disappointed if they do not. The testimonies of Paul at Athens caused some to cleave to him while others mocked; that of peter on the day of Pentecost, when three thousand "were pricked in their heart," caused others to say, "These men are full of new wine." Now such utterances did not cause either Paul or Peter to discontinue their ministry; far from it, they only served to establish them firmer in the faith, and thereby rendered their labors more fruitful.

We have Scriptural authority for testifying to Truth. "Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence," says Isaiah. Jesus says, "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my father which is in heaven." Subtle indeed are the arguments by which error would seek to dissuade us from depositing our tithes in the storehouse, to one it would say, "You are not in the habit of addressing such a large assembly, moreover, your command of language is not sufficient to warrent your so doing." Perhaps more people yield to this suggestion than to any other. Again, there are those who think that their experience would not be appreciated; although it had been a source of great annoyance, and possibly expense, for years before coming to Christian Science, it might appear insignificant to others. To the former I can say from experience, it does not require the oratorical ability of a Demosthenes to express your heartfelt gratitude for what God has done for you through the teachings of Science and Health, and you cannot do it too often, for in this instance it is not "a vain repetition of words."

To the latter class of tempted I would say there is no demonstration so small as not to be a proof of the Principle. It is an error for us to remain silent at our meetings when we have something to say and time in which to say it, hence it is as necessary to master this form of error as any other, at least I have found it so.

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