Article December 7, 1912 Issue

GIVING TESTIMONY

LLOYD B. COATE.

Through the study of the Church Manual given us by our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, Christian Scientists are awakened to the real value of the Wednesday evening testimonial meetings. On page 47 we read: "'Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's' (St. Paul). Testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important. More than a mere rehearsal of blessings, it scales the pinnacle of praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ, 'who healeth all thy diseases' (Psalm 103:3). This testimony, however, shall not include a description of symptoms or of suffering, though the generic name of the disease may be indicated."

Oftentimes, in listening to remarks made at the Wednesday evening meeting, one is inclined to think that the speakers are not so familiar with the Manual as they might be, else those things not having reference to the object of the meeting would be left unsaid. Should not this experience meeting be a matter of demonstration on the part of Christian Scientists? One need not be an orator in order to speak at these meetings. Is it not the simple statement of benefits received physically, morally, and spiritually that "scales the pinnacle of praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ"? Probably every word spoken at these meetings is weighed by the stranger; then how careful we should be what we say! Perhaps at every service some one is present who is heavily burdened with sorrow, or sickness, or sin. No doubt he has heard that Christian Science heals the sick, comforts the sorrowing, and reforms the sinner, and how shall we best entertain this seeker after Truth? "Glorify God," saith the Manual. If we are careful in giving our testimony, we shall honor and glorify God.

"Testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important," and how clearly the Manual points to what should be said at these meetings! We should note that our Leader has told us that our testimonies shall be given so as to illustrate the demonstration of Christ, "who healeth all thy diseases." If we give heed to this admonition, the stranger will be impressed with the fact that healing is accomplished through the power of God in the way Christ Jesus pointed out, namely, the supremacy of Spirit over every condition of matter. This is what Christian Science teaches. If Christian Scientists intelligently do their work before services, they will silence the error of having nothing to say at these meetings. Timidity will vanish before the pure desire to glorify God. How thankful we should be for the wisdom that led to the establishment of our church services! At the Sunday services the Bible and Science and Health preach for us, while the Wednesday evening meetings are provided to glorify God, through our testimony to Truth's healing and redemptive power.

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