Article April 2, 1910 Issue

GIVING A TESTIMONY

ALICE MARIE TAYLOR.

As Christian Scientist, we deem it a privilege to do any helpful thing for another, and many of us are in the attitude of seeking out ways and means for such helpfulness. The Wednesday evening meeting, which is the time and place formally provided for the publishing of the good news to hungry hearts in need of the healing, is one effective means of carrying out the perfectly right and selfless desire of aiding those in need. Over against the opportunity thus provided, and against the right desire to be of real service, appears the untrue argument that the would-be speaker does not know how to tell his blessings in a helpful way or in a convincing manner; that he is unlearned or not able to speak publicly; that he has nothing but so-called small demonstrations to recite, and other deterring false reasoning.

If the Cause of Christian Science were entrusted to defective and ignorant human nature, it would never prosper. If it had to wait for the perfect man or woman to spread the good news, the good news would scarcely be spread. Truth always commands attention and respect, no matter how simply it is told, if earnestness, sincerity, and gratitude convey it to the listener. The thoughtful, truthful, loving testimony is not the work of man. It is a form of activity inspired by divine intelligence, and cannot go forth fruitless. Thus analyzed, the beliefs which would keep the possessor of good news seated during a Wednesday evening meeting are not true, and the actual cause of his silence is revealed to be fear,—fear of criticism, of failure, or perhaps a nameless fear. Sincerely searching, one finds selfishness snugly tucked away, subtly restraining the better impulse of helpfulness. It is self that fears some phase of suffering or defeat; but the Master said, "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Half the labor has been accomplished in the discovering of the falsity of these silent arguments. The truth is that the Christian Scientist wants to help some one; this is his desire, and his only desire.

In my own experience, a full realization of the desire to help fairly lifted me from my seat. I was going to help some one else. What could prevent that? I had many things to tell, and divine Love would help me to tell them. My testimony had been mentally prepared before service, so I quickly fell to noting in thought the things that would be helpful to those unlearned in Christian Science. I endeavored to arrange those items with reference to those needing the help, not with reference to those who already knew as much or more than I did about God's bounties, and this caused the work to grow still more simple. Much of my fear had been of the many students more learned than I. From those engaged in right thinking, as taught us, I had only help to expect; so the last vestige of fear was destroyed, and the testimony came freely, gratefully, and joyously. Since the first effort thus thoughtfully pursued to its actual giving, each effort has been attended with less and less fear. Always it is the same fear of criticism, fear of failure, but it is easily met by the truthful argument which helped me at that time.

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GIVING A TESTIMONY

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