Article December 25, 1915 Issue

Our Wednesday Evening Meetings

Mrs. Eddy says, "If people would confine their talk to subjects that are profitable, that which St. John informs us took place once in heaven, would happen very frequently on earth,—silence for the space of half an hour" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 339). This gentle reminder to speak only of the things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, can surely never be mistaken as an excuse for the silence which sometimes characterizes the Wednesday evening meeting. The study of Christian Science brings a truer understanding of God and His law, and the fruits of this understanding are so bountiful that there is no excuse for one moment's silence during the time set aside for testimonies.

It is sometimes a question just what is permissible or wise to say, but the remembrance of our blessings and the effort to put one's self in the place of the stranger, who has up to this time perhaps greatly misapprehended the teaching and results of Christian Science, but who, nevertheless, has had enough faith to come to our meeting, will surely enable us to give a cup of cold water in fulfilment of the Scripture, which saith: "Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee." "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." Again we read: "They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;" "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy." Surely these inspiring mandates, prophecies, and exhortations should enable us to realize that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind," so that we "can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth" us.

Notwithstanding the joy that is ours as we give heed to the above texts, students of Christian Science often allow the carnal mind to be heard above the word of God, and offer its insidious excuses for not giving testimony. False sense may remind us that we have already told of our healing, and that we are not expected to repeat it every Wednesday. Here it may be asked, Was the work finished when that first healing was realized? Were we not then only on the threshold of infinite Truth? The transformation had only begun; and as we study this Science of Christianity are we not being healed each day of some belief in a power apart from God, good?

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