Article October 10, 1914 Issue

Giving Testimony

MAJ. H. C. FAITHFULL CUMBERLEGE

Perhaps few students of Christian Science give their first testimony without a struggle; many may even find it a severe trial, and the difficulty is not always overcome at the first attempt. On the other hand, there are doubtless fewer still who are not desirous of giving testimony, and they would gladly do so could they gain more confidence. It is not, as a rule, reluctance to acknoledge benefits received which holds the would-be testifier fast to his seat, but mental disability brought about in one way or another by fear.

In all these cases, overcoming is purely a matter of persistently contending for the truth, the accomplishment of an effort inspired by a sense of duty or by gratitude. Of these two impulses gratitude is the more productive of good results quickly. Impelled by gratitude, mortals rise to heights far above their usual level of accomplishment. One of the surest ways of helping ourselves and others to overcome the fear of givine testimony, is therefore to be found in increasing the sense of gratitude. The wisdom of seeking to bring this result to pass is unquestionable, because it has been amply demonstrated that more good always results for him who gratefully and sincerely makes public acknowledgment of the good already received through Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy tells us that "a just acknowledgment of Truth and of what it has done for us is an effectual help" (Science and Health, p. 372).

There should be little difficulty in quickening the sense of gratitude in most students of Christian Science, since lack of gratitude among those who have experienced the benefits of this teaching is nearly always due to ignorance of the actual measure of their blessings, and is not in any wise vicious or intended. It is only a question of knowing that this is the trouble, and how to set about correcting it. When one who desires to give a testimony becomes vividly conscious of his blessings, the sense of fear yields to an impulse of gratitude which cannot be restrained, and his hesitation disappears as the mist before the warmth of the rising sun.

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