Article October 13, 1906 Issue

BEARING WITNESS UNTO THE TRUTH

HOWARD C. VAN METER.

I had been reading the Christian Science text-book several years without seriously apprehending its meaning, when one day the question as to the "why" and "wherefore" of things brought up the remarkable answer of Jesus to the inquiry of Pilate, recorded in the eighteenth chapter of St. John's Gospel, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." Recognizing the significance of the Saviour's mission to point the way for mortals, and that in his answer there is embodied the scientific explanation of the true relationship between God and man, there came into my consciousness at that time a clearer insight into the depth of daily living than I had previously known, and this gave me great cause for gratitude. Instead of living from day to day with no particular thought other than to meet the various conditions of a business life, the whole question of existence took on a deeper significance. I saw the necessity of understanding the truth, in order that I might be fulfilling my part in the true business of creation: viz., to bear witness unto the truth, and thus "glorify God."

My study of Mrs. Eddy's book, Science and Health, now took on greater earnestness. I had been healed of what might be termed a state of unrighteous satisfaction, for I had believed myself satisfied without knowing God or understanding my duty to Him. Prior to this time I was very little acquainted with the Bible; now I began reading it with enjoyment, because our text-book was unlocking the spiritual meaning thereof, revealing the spiritual facts of existence that form the basis of daily living. Thus Christian Science taught me to give earnest heed to each day's work, to remember that whatever the day's experience comprehended, man's business is to serve God, and the way to do this became constantly brighter.

In these years I have many times uttered a prayer of gratitude to God for the great joy of deliverance from a purposeless existence, and it is wholly due to the unselfish work of our beloved Leader, who saw humanity's need and had the love and courage to meet it. I am trying in my work as a student of Christian Science to impress others with the necessity of making each day and hour fruitful in good, that every detail of our experience may give some evidence of "God with us," rather than awaken a belief in a power apart from Him.

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