ACKNOWLEDGING OUR GRATITUDE

MARY STEWART.

The present writer conceives the first testimonial meetings, held in the early days of Christian Science teaching and experience, to have been the spontaneous gathering of those persons who had "heard" the word and those who wished to hear, for the purpose of testifying to "the healing and regenerating power" of Truth which some of them had actually experienced and others had observed. It is difficult to think that any of those who were present on such occasions, drawn thither by gratitude and love, could have hesitated to tell their good news. Is it not more probable, because more natural, that their simple and grateful testimonies were eagerly told, not only in just acknowledgment of the power of Truth and Love, which had done the works, but with sincere longing that others should receive like help, and with such self-forgetfulness that the narrators did not obstruct the light, but rather became transparencies for it?

It is impossible to imagine their waiting till "some other time," when the needy were before them and the consciousness of the goodness and power of God filled their hearts; or that any one of them took critical note of the manner of speech or the construction of the "letter" of those testimonies; or that any kept silent because he feared such criticism.

There is but one opinion entertained regarding the "nine" who were cleansed of leprosy but who did not return to give thanks, and a criticism of the manner or words in which the one who did return expressed his recognition of the healing Christ, would be at least unique. The man healed of blindness from birth gave his testimony in a meeting composed of those who marveled and who desired to know what had healed him. Here is his simple, direct, unmistakable acknowledgment: "One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." And of the one through whose purity and understanding of God the healing was made possible, he said: "If this man were not of God, he could do nothing."

This was sufficient, without any dissertation, exposition of methods, or rehearsal of doctrines, to open other eyes spiritually; to encourage any hungry heart to hope, and to turn that one to the way whereby he could be healed. The testimonies of this man's parents followed, corroborating their son's statement of the demonstration of the healing Principle revealed by Christ Jesus, and proven in this specific case; and, whether willing or not, all who had known the patient in his blindness and saw him now were also witnesses. It was doubtless through hearing just such simple, truthful statements by those who had experienced the healing power of the word, that many believed and were healed.

The spirit of Truth and Love, entertained and gratefully expressed, is more potent than "tongues of men or of angels." Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 354), "If our words fail to express our deeds, God will redeem that weakness, and out of the mouth of babes He will perfect praise." At whatever cost to herself, the faithful, loving Leader in Christian Science has never failed to bear witness to the truth for the good of humanity; has never feared or failed to obey the injunction in the textbook of Christian Science (p. 570): "Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences." What shall be said of her followers?

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit