Article May 16, 1914 Issue

"Freely give"

JOSEPHINE GRAY HOLDEN

The writer has noticed frequently that those who have received benefits through the understanding of Christian Science are much more willing to relate their experience to a friend than they are to give testimony of the same at the Wednesday evening meetings. Of course, no word of gratitude should ever be withheld if voicing it will bring good to one's listeners, be they few or many; but inasmuch as these midweek meetings have been established for this specific purpose of bearing testimony, there is no legitimate reason why any honest acknowledgment of benefits received should remain unspoken.

The writer recalls an incident where during one afternoon six testimonies of healing were given in a private home by as many different persons. It was thereupon remarked that these and similar testimonies should be given at the Wednesday evening service. It was learned that the experience meetings attended by these same people frequently passed without a single testimony being given by any of them. The reasons assigned for this very unusual condition were varied, but not one was able to stand when the search-light of Truth was turned upon it. No subtle argument of limited ability in any direction, or of what some certain person or persons might think, should in any way hinder our giving voice to the truth which has set us free.

Memory holds a picture of a spot once seen in which a single pansy blossom lifted its perfect face to the bright sky above, with not a single companion but weeds in all the remaining plot of ground. So one word of truth, though it be couched in the simplest language, stands out so clearly and with such beauty that everything else is of little consequence. All of us have been benefited by the testimonies of others; then let us remember these words of the Master, "Freely ye have received, freely give."

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