Article May 31, 1913 Issue

It might interest you, some Wednesday evening, to attend...

Lewiston (Maine) Journal

It might interest you, some Wednesday evening, to attend a Christian Science service in Odd Fellows' hall on Pleasant street in Auburn. It is somewhat different from the services as conducted in the other churches, but to even the casual listener possesses much of profound human interest. This mid-week evening service is intended primarily for testimonials of healing, but possesses the familiar features of the ordinary church service in the reading of the Scripture and the singing of hymns. But the hymns include only those which are akin in spirit with Christian Science teaching, reverent, but always cheerful and full of assurance. The reading of the Scripture is supplemented by selections from Mrs. Eddy's text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." There is no preaching, no exhortation. Prayer is silent, in conformity with the teaching of this church, to the effect that the desire of the heart is in itself the most efficacious prayer, needing no voicing to strengthen it. Only the Lord's Prayer is repeated aloud, and that in unison, at the close of the period of silent prayer. After this preliminary service came the testimonies, given without affectation or oratory, just simple, direct statements of healing, usually a part of the experience of the speaker. The distinctive feature of these was the use of the past tense. Not one was hoping or looking to the future for the fulfilment of divine Love. To each the truth had been demonstrated through healing, which had brought them out of sin or disease into harmony with God. The message was that of a conqueror, supplemented by a sincerely thankful spirit and the cheerful assurance that this understanding of the Scriptures, as interpreted by Mrs. Eddy and demonstrated by so many remarkable cases of healing, was the perfect safeguard against evil and error.

Incidentally, among half a hundred people assembled in this attractive hall, the evening passed without evidence that a single person was other than perfectly well, wholly at peace, and supremely happy. Hardly in any other assemblage of as many people, at this season, could it be said that none coughed, none were sick and suffering, none were bowed down in despair, none broken with grief. Here the spirit that Was in Christ Jesus seemed to have triumphed. If any came in with a lack of harmony, here was offered, throughout the service, not consolation or pity, but that sympathy which is expressed by the affirmation of the immediate and all-potential healing power of Truth and Love. The readings, the hymns, the testimonies were charged with this spiritual optimism. At the close of the service a frankly cordial spirit was manifest. Nobody wore a long-favored countenance or with unction inquired after his neighbor's health. These were cheerful humans with a warm hand-grasp, a sunny welcome, simply and unceremoniously extended.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

It might interest you, some Wednesday evening, to attend...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access