Article February 26, 1916 Issue

Preparation for the Feast

ANNA E. HERZOG

The writer is renewedly impressed every week with the importance of our Wednesday evening meetings, and is realizing increasingly that like all important things, they are worthy of our deepest thought and truest preparation. One sometimes hears the statement made that testimonies should be simply spontaneous utterances inspired at the moment, yet on page 149 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy refers to the weekly meeting as a "banquet of Christian Science," a "feast and flow of Soul." This feast is assuredly provided for the hungry and thirsty wanderer who is seeking relief from the beliefs of sorrow, sickness, or sin. These seekers are the guests at the banquet, invited by our notices and announcements. Surely, even humanly speaking, a guest should be given of our best, and our best calls for loving, considerate preparation.

If we find, after experience, that the inspiration of the moment does not prove sufficient to put us on our feet, ready with a clear and concise statement of the healing, mental and physical, which Christian Science has brought us, then surely it would be better in the quietness of home to think upon the most helpful way to express our loyalty and gratitude and healing, that our hungering, seeking brother may have his need supplied. This does not mean that one should outline his statement, but that he should empty his thought of fear, ambition, and the desire for vainglory, so that the inspiration of Truth and Love may flow in.

It is our privilege to know before each meeting that Truth is ever present to meet the need of the seeker for it. It is our privilege as Christian Scientists to help by giving each his own message, which no one else can give. Testimonies are not intended to be flights of oratory or theological discussions, to be inspired by emotional excitement any more than by cold intellectuality, but they are intended to be loving, honest, grateful statements of what Christian Science has brought to us individually. As such they are surely worthy of prayerful consideration, and of any preparation which experience has taught us will make them most helpful.

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